Kiner-Falefa regrets not taking bigger lead in World Series Game 7

The Boston Red Sox infielder wishes he had been further off third base in the pivotal play.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 12:39am

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Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, spoke about the play in Game 7 of the 2026 World Series where he was thrown out at home trying to score the winning run for the Toronto Blue Jays. Kiner-Falefa said that in hindsight, he wishes he had taken a bigger lead off third base, as the Blue Jays had instructed him to stay close to the base. The play ended up being a close forceout at the plate, and the Dodgers went on to win the game in 11 innings.

Why it matters

Kiner-Falefa's comments provide insight into the difficult decisions players face in high-pressure playoff situations, where they must balance their own instincts with the strategy laid out by their team's coaching staff. The play has been heavily scrutinized since it occurred, and Kiner-Falefa's perspective sheds light on the factors that went into the decision-making.

The details

In the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 7 with the score tied 4-4, the Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out. Kiner-Falefa, who was on third base, took an unusually short 7.8-foot lead at the behest of third base coach Carlos Febles. When Daulton Varsho hit a groundball to second, Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at the plate in a close play, and the Dodgers went on to win in 11 innings. Kiner-Falefa said that if he had taken a bigger lead, he likely would have been safe at home, but the Blue Jays' organizational policy was to keep runners close to the base in that situation.

  • In the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 7, the score was tied 4-4.
  • Kiner-Falefa took an unusually short 7.8-foot lead off third base.

The players

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

A 30-year-old infielder who recently signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Daulton Varsho

The Toronto Blue Jays player who hit the groundball that resulted in Kiner-Falefa being thrown out at home in Game 7 of the 2026 World Series.

Carlos Febles

The third base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays who instructed Kiner-Falefa to take a shorter lead off third base in that situation.

Miguel Rojas

The Los Angeles Dodgers player who hit a game-tying home run in the top of the 9th inning of Game 7.

Will Smith

The Los Angeles Dodgers catcher who caught the throw and tagged out Kiner-Falefa at home plate.

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What they’re saying

“If I could do it over, I definitely would have got a couple of steps out. But you've got to do what the organization wants and that's kind of been the thing there. With runners in that situation, they'd always keep the runner close' to protect against getting picked off.”

— Isiah Kiner-Falefa

“Didn't realize that it was actually going to be that close of a play. If I was a step further, yeah, I would have been safe — but I wasn't.”

— Isiah Kiner-Falefa

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Kiner-Falefa's comments highlight the difficult balance players must strike between following their team's strategy and trusting their own instincts in high-pressure playoff moments. This play will likely be debated for years to come, as it proved pivotal in determining the outcome of the 2026 World Series.