Bo Bichette pickoff, explained: How Dodgers nabbed Blue Jays star after controversial strike call

Even after a Game 1 win, it could be argued the Toronto Blue Jays will need every break they can get if they want to dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers. One break did not go their way early in World Series Game 3.

A controversial strike call not only kept Daulton Varsho at the plate in the second inning, but it led to the pickoff of Bo Bichette after a leadoff hit.

The pickoff stunted a potentially rally that would ultimately end with runners on first and third base for the Blue Jays and no runs in. Moments later, the Dodgers struck first on a solo home run by Teoscar Hernandez.

Here's a look at how the Dodgers were able to nab Bichette.

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Bo Bichette pickoff, explained

The Blue Jays believed for a moment that they were going to have two runners on base with no outs before a high pitch to Varsho was called a strike. The ball appeared to be out of the strike zone, Fox's broadcast showed, and Varsho started walking to first base before home plate umpire Mark Wegner called him back.

Bichette also thought the pitch was a ball, as he started walking to second base believing Varsho had a free pass. Tyler Glasnow threw to first and got the out, with Freddie Freeman tagging Bichette. 

Bo Bichette is picked off for the first out of the 2nd inning #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/TwQxmgjMJp

Varsho's reaction to the pitch didn't help the situation, as he had tossed his bat and started to take off some of his gear as though he had walked even after Wegner made the strike call. Bichette followed Varsho's lead and proceeded toward second base before Glasnow got the ball to Freeman for the out.

MORE: Why Bo Bichette is playing a new position in World Series

Varsho still worked a walk, and an Alejandro Kirk single set the Blue Jays up with runners on first and third with one out. Losing Bichette cost Toronto, as the inning ended with Varsho and Kirk stranded on the bases and no runs in.

It's the kind of play that likely would not be possible in 2026, when automated ball-strike technology will be introduced. Under 2026 rules, Varsho would have been able to tap his head for an automatic review, which almost certainly would have sent him to first base and Bichette to second.