Infielders do not usually play within the outfield, however Baltimore Orioles infielder Rougned Odor did simply that in opposition to the Texas Rangers as we speak. Slugger Corey Seager hit a floor ball into the outfield. Odor — taking part in a heavy shift in proper subject — ran to his proper, grabbed the ball, and threw it to first in time for the out.
“Received him at first, what a play!” shouted the Orioles broadcast group.
Seager’s hit was extra of a line drive than a floor ball. It bounced simply as soon as and, if not for the shift, would’ve been a single. Being the second baseman on this recreation, Odor was using the shift to account for Seager being a left-handed hitter.
As of subsequent season, the shift shall be banned, in line with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. The brand new guidelines will mandate that groups can solely have two infielders on both aspect of second base. Odor was truly complying with that rule right here. Nonetheless, with out assistance from his shortstop manning second base, Odor would not have had the luxurious to play shallow proper. It was a masterful use of the shift.
MLB Twitter reacted to the play instantly.
A pair weeks in the past, New York Yankees outfielder Joey Gallo voiced his distaste for the shift. He claimed it makes hitting that a lot more durable for batters.
Derek Jeter, top-of-the-line second basemen ever to play the sport, was well-known for making performs like these.
MLB Twitter astounded after Baltimore Orioles second baseman Rougned Odor makes a formidable seize to throw out Texas Rangers slugger Corey Seager
Contemplating the shift takes away so many hits, it is not wildly in style amongst followers who would moderately see offense than protection.
Superior metrics point out that the shift prevents as much as 30% of groups’ potential hits.
Count on the offense to extend quickly as soon as the 2023 shift ban goes into impact.
@kolbyhill23 @MLB Managers ought to positively not be allowed to place gamers the place the ball goes to be hit.
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The Baltimore Orioles have held their very own this season in baseball’s hardest division. They’re 38-44 on the yr, which places them on tempo to win extra video games than they did final season.
On the time of writing, the Orioles are up 2-1 on the Texas Rangers within the fifth inning.