Rays may have been on wrong side of call to end World Series Game 2

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz (2) hits a double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game 2 of the 2026 World Series at American Family Field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rays may have been on wrong side of controversial call to end Game 2 of World Series

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 25, 2026 12:44 AM ET

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The Milwaukee Brewers' 5-4 win in Game 2 of the World Series ended with some controversy.

With the tying run on third base with two outs and Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz facing a 3-2 count, Milwaukee's Aaron Ashby got him to strike out with a nasty pitch in the dirt that was ruled a swing on an appeal.

The only problem?

It may not have been a swing.

Rays may have been on wrong side of controversial call

Diaz thought he held up and started walking toward first base, only to have the appeal to first base umpire James Hoye ring him up for strike three.

Here is a look at the swing in question.

Do you think Yandy Díaz checked his swing here? pic.twitter.com/CxwDi4ixlk
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 25, 2026

That is close.

Really close.

What is interesting here is that the next level of ABS replay reviews is going to be check swings. As Baseball America's JJ Cooper pointed out on Saturday night, this would not have been a swing if the ABS review systems and rules at certain levels of the minor leagues were in use here. That does not do Diaz or the Rays any good right now, but it could do some good for teams and players in similar situations in the future.

It might even accelerate the process of getting it done. Prominent plays and calls in big moments, with the most eyeballs on them, tend to be the things that get momentum building for change.

If current ABS check swing rules (as used in parts of MiLB) were in place this would not have been a swing. https://t.co/sGaesNgWyu
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) October 25, 2026

Major League Baseball has already started to lean into replay review over the past decade, and it is only getting more and more layered. Check swings are going to be next.

It might have created an even more dramatic ending to Game 2 on Saturday, because instead of the game ending on that pitch, Jonathan Aranda would have walked up to the plate in a one-run game with runners on the corners and two outs.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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