When Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash walked to the mound in the sixth inning of Game 6 of the 2020 World Series, he triggered one of the most debated pitching changes in baseball history. Blake Snell was carving up the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup with a masterclass performance, racking up nine strikeouts while surrendering just two hits and zero walks through five-plus innings. Then came the hook.
Pulling a dominant starter at just 73 pitches sent shockwaves through the sports world. Fans, broadcasters, and players immediately questioned the logic behind removing a pitcher who was clearly in a zone. To understand why that single decision continues to spark arguments years later, we have to look past the instant outrage and examine the exact math, the bullpen decisions, and the playoff pressure that defined that October night in Arlington.
The Dominance of Snellzilla
From the first pitch of Game 6, Blake Snell looked untouchable. He relied heavily on a sharp curveball and a high-90s fastball that kept heavy hitters like Mookie Betts and Corey Seager off balance. Through five frames, he retired batter after batter with efficient command.
By the time he struck out Austin Barnes for his ninth strikeout to end the fifth, Snell had silenced a powerhouse Dodgers offense. He wasn't just surviving; he was dictating terms. When he walked out for the bottom of the sixth and induced a flyout from Chris Taylor, his pitch count sat at a remarkably low 73.
Yet, trouble brewed the moment Austin Barnes slapped a soft single into center field. That single brought the top of the order back around for a third look against the left-hander. For Kevin Cash, that exact moment served as the flashpoint for a calculated, data-driven gamble.
The Analytics Behind Kevin Cash's Choice
To grasp why Cash pulled his ace, you have to look at how the Tampa Bay Rays operated under strict front-office analytics. The franchise built its success on minimizing exposure to the third time through the order penalty, a well-documented baseball trend where opposing hitters see a starting pitcher significantly better once they figure out his timing.
Snell's historical splits supported this concern. Throughout his career and during the 2020 regular season, his numbers dipped significantly when facing a lineup a third time. Cash trusted the organizational blueprint over the raw emotion of the game.
[Inning 1-3] High velocity, low hard-hit rate against Snell
[Inning 4-5] Opposing hitters adjust timing; strikeouts peak
[Inning 6+] Third-time-through penalty triggers bullpen replacement
The plan relied on handing the ball to reliever Nick Anderson, who had been one of the most reliable high-leverage arms in baseball all year. Cash wanted to neutralize the heart of the Dodgers order with a fresh righty. The theory made sense on a spreadsheet; on the field, it unraveled instantly.
The Immediate Backlash and Reliever Struggles
The moment Cash signaled for the bullpen, social media erupted with disbelief. Broadcasters like Alex Rodriguez called it the worst managerial decision in World Series history. Hall of Famers and active players chimed in, baffled that a manager would yank a locked-in Cy Young winner in an elimination game.
Those criticisms multiplied rapidly when Nick Anderson took the mound.
- Anderson allowed a sharp double to Mookie Betts, immediately putting runners on second and third.
- A wild pitch allowed the tying run to score from third base.
- Corey Seager followed with a fielder's choice RBI, giving the Dodgers a lead they would not relinquish.
The irony did not escape critics. Cash pulled Snell to avoid letting elite right-handed hitters get comfortable against a tired lefty, only to watch his replacement immediately surrender the lead to those exact same hitters. Los Angeles went on to win the game 3-1, clinching the championship.
Why the Debate Still Matters Today
Years later, the Blake Snell World Series exit stands as a landmark case study in modern baseball management. It represents the ultimate friction point between traditional baseball instinct and modern front-office analytics.
Defenders of Cash argue that managers are paid to make unpopular choices based on deep statistical models rather than gut feelings. If Snell had stayed in and surrendered a home run to Betts or Seager, critics would have slammed Cash for ignoring his own pitching metrics.
Conversely, detractors point out that spreadsheets cannot measure adrenaline, body language, or momentum. Snell was pitching with a rare competitive fire that cannot be quantified in a pre-game computer model. By prioritizing a generic statistical trend over an individual player's dominant rhythm, the Rays robbed themselves of their best weapon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pitches did Blake Snell throw in Game 6?
Blake Snell threw exactly 73 pitches before Kevin Cash removed him from the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.
What was Blake Snell's stat line when he was pulled?
When he left the game, Snell had pitched 5.1 innings, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits with zero walks and 9 strikeouts.
Did the Tampa Bay Rays win the 2020 World Series?
No. The Los Angeles Dodgers won Game 6 by a score of 3-1, winning the series four games to two to claim the championship.
Why did Kevin Cash take out a pitcher who was playing so well?
Cash pulled Snell to avoid the statistical disadvantage of facing the opposing batting order a third time, opting instead to bring in relief pitcher Nick Anderson to face right-handed power hitters. You can read more about historical managerial strategies on MLB.
