MLB explains controversial Game 3 call that nearly crushed Cubs' season

The Chicago Cubs were nearly eliminated from the playoffs thanks to a confusing infield fly rule call in the first inning of Game 3. With the Milwaukee Brewers immediately threatening with runners on first and second with one out, catcher William Contreras hit a pop-up on the infield that normally would have been an automatic out thanks to the infield fly rule. In fact, Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes instinctively said the infield fly rule was in effect before the play was complete.

However, the ball ended up dropping in fair territory with all runners being called safe, leading to a bases-loaded situation. After the game, umpire supervisor Larry Young told the media that since none of the Cubs' infielders gave "ordinary effort" on the play before the ball reached its apex, the infield fly rule was not called by the umpires.

MLB just addressed the call that almost ended the Cubs’ playoff run

According to MLB.com, ordinary effort is defined as "the effort that a fielder of average skill at a specific position should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the conditions of the playing field and the weather." Since first baseman Michael Busch was the fielder who would have normally made the play, but he lost the ball, likely due to the angle of the sun at Wrigley Field at the time, no other fielder was deemed to be eligible for ordinary effort.

Luckily, Cubs starter Jameson Taillon escaped the inning after surrendering just one run. This would be one of three runs Milwaukee would plate in the game, not enough to withstand the Cubs' four-run rally in the bottom half of the first inning.

It was a nail-biter until the final pitch, but the Cubs took the victory to hold off elimination and force a Game 4 on Thursday night. The moral of the story is that the Cubs need to score more runs. It would be nice if a rare call like this wasn't so close to destroying the season/playoff hopes, and it wouldn't matter as much if Chicago had put more runs on the board. Although Wednesday's tilt saw the Cubs score the most runs out of any of their postseason contests this year, it's about time for the lineup to unleash an offensive barrage to give the Brewers a run for their money.