In baseball’s current era that prioritizes the “three true outcomes” (walks, strikeouts and home runs), it feels like we see don’t see as much great defense. It’s not that guys aren’t making great plays, just that fewer balls in play means fewer opportunities to make a highlight catch.
Well, fans of good defense were treated to plenty in Game 3 of the ALCS between the Astros and Rays. Tampa Bay won 5–2, with both of the Houston runs coming on solo homers. Basically everything else the Astros hit ended up in the glove of a Rays player.
If there’s one thing the average baseball fan knows about the Rays it’s that Kevin Kiermaier is probably the best defensive centerfielder in the game.