John Schneider is hopeful George Springer (knee) is a go for Game 6

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All hands on deck, backs against the wall, there's no tomorrow, the clichés run deep as the Blue Jays look to make a deeper push into baseball's playoffs.

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Much of what happens in Game 6 on Sunday night will fall on the shoulders of Trey Yesavage, who was as tough Saturday when he was roasted by reporters as he was every time he stepped on the mound.

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Given the stakes, Sunday's start will be a defining moment for Yesavage.

He is not alone. Under the microscope again will be manager John Schneider, who firmly said Brandon Little's presence on the mound in Friday's fateful eighth inning as the Jays entered the frame with a 2-1 lead was not a mistake, only to give up five runs after Seranthony Dominguez hit a grand slam when he came on to replace the infielder. Little's combat readiness.

Win two games in the stadium where the Jays made winning fashionable, and you'll face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

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Lose on Sunday or in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday, and the doubt only increases.
The Mariners say they are comfortable at Rogers Center, while Toronto's comfort level is well-documented despite losing the first two games of the series at home.

As the ALCS began, George Springer opened the festivities with a bang by throwing the first pitch deep to Seattle, one of two hits the Jays would score in a 3-1 loss.

Springer pitched off his right knee in the fifth inning Friday and left the game. X-rays were negative.

“I feel a lot better than I did on Friday,” Schneider said. “Tell me he's ready to go and he's ready to go.

“George has been through a lot, probably more than you guys (reporters) know this year and probably his entire career.

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“Just make sure it (the knee bruise) doesn't stop him from swinging and doesn't stop him from running. He's a tough dude. I'm hopeful and optimistic that he'll be OK.”

As you might expect, Schneider was asked Friday night about his decision to go with Little.

Different questions were asked, but the theme was the same, as if anyone expected Schneider to say something different than what he said after the bitter aftermath of the loss.

Whether it was the booing of the fans in Seattle after Springer's hit or Schneider's decision, they amount to the proverbial water under the bridge knowing what will be on the line on Sunday and possibly Monday.

So close to a matchup against the storied Dodgers, with so much in the Jays' control, the club shouldn't have a better scenario.

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“I'm sorry that every decision you made that didn't work out, no matter who it was, whether it was a hitter, a pinch-hitter, a pitcher, a starting pitcher, that's part of the job,” Schneider said.

“There are always some options, but you move on.”

To reach the World Series, the Jays need to win two straight games at home, which is not insurmountable.

After winning their first two games in Toronto, the Mariners hit a total of four home runs while supporting strong pitching.

“Everyone will be physically available,” Schneider said of Game 6.

That includes Max Scherzer, who helped lead the Jays to a Game 4 victory that tied the game.

“We're trying to win one game in a row,” Schneider added. “We've done it 99 times this year.”

Yesavage can set the tone. The stage doesn't seem too big for Yesavage, who said he plans to spend part of Saturday night watching football.

A child recently picked the brains of veteran Kevin Gausman, who shared a few words that resonated.

“This opportunity doesn't come around very often,” Yesavage said. “I'm very fortunate to be in this situation.”

With a win on Sunday, the Jays know Shane Bieber will be on the mound after leading the Jays to a Game 3 victory.

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