A new way to see postseason's best plays

October 7th, 2021

This postseason has already featured some memorable plays. And now fans can see those plays in a whole new way thanks to MLB FieldVision.

FieldVision tracks every play in 3D, allowing you to see everything that happens on the field from angles and perspectives that you could never get from watching the game on TV.

And starting this postseason, fans will be able to use FieldVision themselves to explore the playoffs' biggest moments, with an all-new tool called FieldVision Beta.

Want to see what FieldVision can do? Let's use it to break down a key play from each of the 2021 Wild Card Games.

Yankees @ Red Sox, AL Wild Card Game

The play: Xander Bogaerts' perfect relay nabs Aaron Judge at home

This was the play of the game for the Red Sox as they took down the rival Yankees at Fenway Park.

The Bronx Bombers were down, 3-1, in the sixth inning with Judge on first when Giancarlo Stanton ripped a ball high off the Green Monster. As center fielder Kiké Hernandez played the ball off the wall and fired a throw in to Bogaerts, Judge was rounding the bases, and third-base coach Phil Nevin waved him home. But Bogaerts made a perfect throw to the plate to nab Judge and quash the Yankees' rally.

That was the play everyone was talking about after Boston's big win. Here's how it looks in FieldVision.

You can follow the trajectory of Stanton's 115-mph line drive as it bangs off the Monster.

Then you see Kiké scoop up the ball and make a 77 mph throw to Bogaerts for the first leg of the relay, as Judge rounds third base.

Then the key to the whole play: Bogaerts gets off an 82 mph throw to the plate in just 0.53 seconds. A game-changing out at the plate -- the Yankees' 23rd out at the plate of the season, most of any team.

With FieldVision, you can see how the entire play comes together from an overhead view. But that's only one possibility. You can also use it to see what the play looked like from Bogaerts' perspective, as he gets into position for the relay, makes his throw home and finally celebrates by throwing his arms in the air and pumping his fist.

Cardinals @ Dodgers, NL Wild Card Game

The play: Paul Goldschmidt's Gold Glove defense saves a run

The Cardinals were the best fielding team in baseball all year -- their +50 Outs Above Average as a team led the Majors. And during their walk-off loss to the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Game, they made several key defensive plays in a tight game. Adam Wainwright coolly snared a 101-mph comebacker in the first inning; Tommy Edman turned an inning-ending double play on Trea Turner with the bases loaded in the third; Paul DeJong made a leaping catch at shortstop to rob Will Smith in the eighth.

But maybe the best one came from Goldschmidt to keep the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning. The Dodgers had runners on first and second with two outs when AJ Pollock hit a squibber along the first-base line. Yadier Molina, with the better angle from the catcher position, called off pitcher Luis García -- but García didn't listen, and it nearly cost the Cardinals. His throw to first went straight into the path of the runner and could have easily sailed down the right-field line.

Luckily, St. Louis had a three-time Gold Glover at first. Goldschmidt reached back from fair territory, across Pollock's body, to pluck the throw out of the air on the foul side of the bag, then twirled and yanked his arm away all in one movement. Inning over.

You can appreciate the play even more by viewing it in FieldVision, which unveils several layers you might not have noticed otherwise.

The most interesting view is from Goldschmidt's perspective at first base. You can see just how difficult an angle he's looking at when García throws the ball essentially straight down the first-base line and over Pollock's head. And you realize just how much dexterity it takes for him to reach across Pollock, catch the throw and spin out of the way to avoid a collision.

Then watch the play from the home-plate view. It gives you an up-close perspective of Molina fielding the catcher position -- and how he tries to wave off García to no avail, setting the stage for Goldschmidt's play.

And there's one last element you'll catch with FieldVision if you watch to the very end from either perspective: Turner -- MLB's fastest player -- flying around from second and sliding into home just after Goldschmidt spins away. If Goldschmidt doesn't hold the bag or come away with the ball, Turner's two-out baserunning gives the Dodgers the lead.