Ohtani Warm-Up Clock Reset Draws Criticism in Game 7

In Game 7 of the World Series, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani drew criticism after umpires appeared to reset the warm-up clock and grant him extended between-inning warm-up time in the first and third innings. Blue Jays manager John Schneider approached home-plate umpire Jordan Baker to complain, and broadcasters, fans and social media accused MLB of giving Ohtani special treatment. MLB’s pace-of-play rules allow umpires discretion for “special circumstances” (and an exception when a pitcher is on base, on-deck or at-bat when an inning ends), and analysts suggested the extra time may have been allowed to avoid a potential injury. On the mound Ohtani allowed three runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings, including a three-run homer by Bo Bichette, and was then removed. He also became the first starting pitcher since 1975 to record a hit in a winner-take-all World Series game.