Vibe Check: Blue Jays answer (not so) pressing questions ahead of Game 3

LOS ANGELES — Don Mattingly and Miles Straw played center field at Dodger Stadium with a group of kids while Mattingly pitched and Straw and the kids, including John Schneider's two sons, chased balls while Toronto Blue Jays the manager looked.

When they finished the game, Schneider ran to center field and they all gathered for a group photo.

It was a casual practice for the Blue Jays on Sunday following Toronto's early morning arrival in Los Angeles, fresh off a Game 2 loss on Saturday night that tied the World Series at a game apiece as it moved to Dodger Stadium for the next three games.

And it was during the lull before Monday night's Game 3 (8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT) that Sportsnet asked a handful of Blue Jays players and staff some pressing questions that could determine the fate of the Fall Classic. Or perhaps they'll just serve as a test of the West Coast vibe. In any case, questions were asked and answered, as you will see below.

SPORTSNET: What was the most stressful thing Max Scherzer did? [He’s starting Game 3].

Brandon Little: His antics in the bullpen. The first time I saw him do it was in spring training, and he treats it like it's Game 3 of the World Series. He just fires his gun [with his hands]doing everything between serves when it hits the spot. And then when he looks at his intelligence reports, it's just funny. He has a folder with all the reports and he's just crazy.

Straw: Oh yeah, this is something you've never seen before. This is an excellent intelligence report.

Small: But the bullpen antics are the best. If he needs a fastball that's fast and low and lands perfectly, he hits it. And during his tenure, he had about seven bullpen coaches.

Tyler Heinemancatcher: Game 4 [of the ALCS]when he stepped off the mound against Seattle and yelled “yes!” When Schneids was heading into the dugout, that was probably the craziest thing I've ever seen.

Pete Walker, pitching coach: I think he's screaming at the top of his lungs under the tunnel about something, nothing in particular. Something is wrong, maybe it's something mechanical, maybe it's a particular pitch, and he needs to fix it immediately. So he'll just scream at the top of his lungs.

Straw: He goes crazy every day. I love it. We all love him. He's like the father of the team. He's always tense. He lives intensely. But it's fun – we need someone like that.

Mark Budzinski, first base coach: Oh god, we don't have time for all this. To be honest, he is diligent in everything he does. He's always thinking about the next thing, so when we won the ALCS, he went to Schneids, I think right after the game, he was like, “Okay, what are you thinking about when I'm going to pitch?” I need to start planning out my bullpen and my workouts and everything.” His brain is always working.

Andres Jimenez: I think his last game in Seattle is a great example of what Max can bring. He's extremely competitive and obviously wants to be in the third game. So I'm very happy for him. [Monday].

SPORTNET: What do you like most about Vladi, not related to baseball?

Small: He is a born leader. Super reassuring.

Straw: He is always happy, and there is always a good atmosphere around Vladdy. He is always positive. I've never seen him be negative.

Heineman: Probably his style. It's very eclectic and very bold at the same time. Before the first game, he came to the stadium wearing this red leather jacket. I've never been able to pull it off, but it looks good on him.

Budzinsky: I would say his heart. He cares so much about everyone. I'll give you an example: when we lost our daughter in 2022, the following year he commissioned a local artist in the Dominican Republic, I think, to paint a picture of my family that he found online. And this is not just a small picture. It's probably four or five feet tall, four feet wide – it's huge. So this is literally a picture of my family. It was just a photo from my birthday – I think I turned 47 years old. It was very nice and he delivered it to the house, so very cool…. We all cried. It was so touching, and it's just the kind of person he is, how much he thinks about others. He has people who travel with him, family, friends that he takes very good care of. He's a good person.

Walker: Its abundance lasts a lifetime. I just watch him jump sometimes. He always seems to be smiling and friendly to people. He's not your typical superstar who keeps a low profile. He is very welcoming and very friendly.

SPORTSNET: What's your favorite snack before a World Series game?

Small: At home it's called French Onion Steak with Grilled Cheese. And they use milk bread for it, it’s so sweet. It's so good.

Heineman: I can't eat too much before a game now, just because of the excitement and nerves. So it will just be Uncrustable – like a pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And a protein smoothie.

Straw: It's not my favorite dish, but I do eat scrambled eggs. I eat like six scrambled eggs when I get to the field, at least at home. I don't have that luxury here, but in Toronto our chefs are amazing and they keep me busy for at least three quarters of the year. We have the best chefs in the league.

Walker: General Tso's Little Chicken with Pork Fried Rice. I crush it. That's a lot of calories.

Which teammate is best suited for Hollywood life?

Straw: If we talk about fashion, Vladdy always has something good. He always comes in nice clothes – something I've never seen before. I feel like every day it comes in it's always my new favorite outfit. Big baggy pants, jackets, etc. Super flash and designer style. As for clothes, he is doing well. Let's see who else? Maybe Beau. Bo comes in with an IV from time to time.

Heineman: Bo. I just think he's built to be the center of attention and he can handle all the cameras and everything around him, and Hollywood is the center of the film and television industry.

Sportsnet: Do you think Beau could become an actor?

Heineman: Maybe not with his acting skills, but yeah, I mean, he looks good. [laughs] so he has a chance. He could learn something.

Walker: Let's just say Bo Bichette. Just because I think it fits the pattern. For me he's just Hollywood. He's probably the closest.

Small: Bowden Francis. He just gives off a California vibe and loves to surf. He's Mr. California.

SPORTSNET: Who will be the most out of place on Rodeo Drive?

Heineman: Probably Chris Bassitt. He is a country boy – he loves fishing and hunting.

Walker: This is not my jug, I know that.

Budzinsky: Probably Addison Barger. He'll just be uncomfortable in the limelight, in the limelight, with all the glamor and stuff like that. You know, he basically comes to do his job, don't draw attention to himself, go to work, work, but I don't think he's a Rodeo Drive guy.

Small: Hmm, who goes for walks in the fresh air? I didn't see Louis Varland there. Him or Mason [Fluharty]. I think Mason would just wander around here, almost like a lost puppy, and Louis is more of an outdoor person, so it wouldn't be for him.

Straw: I'll go, Louis Varland. He doesn't belong. Doesn't belong. He just doesn't do it. There's a lot to be said about this, but he doesn't do it. Him or Davis [Schneider]. He just doesn't belong either. I don't think he's made for this.

SPORTSNET: Which celebrity would you most like to see play here?

Small: If Mark Wahlberg was here, that would be really cool. I love all his films. He's in Ted. [Ted and Ted 2].

Straw: I'm just looking forward to seeing Louis Varland take the mound.

Varland, who overhears this answer while passing by: He lies right to your face.

Straw: [laughs]To be honest, I'm not interested in such things. I'm not very worried. I thought it was great that we had Drake in Toronto. It's cool, but I just like to see our guys win, that's all.

Heineman: Adam Sandler maybe? He lives in this area. Denzel Washington, maybe he'll come out. I know he loves the New York Yankees, but I went to high school with his son. He's one of my favorite actors, so that would be really cool. I bet he probably would have been at the game.

Budzinsky: It's funny, when we came in today, we were just talking about people who were in Toronto and who will be here. There's always a top list here because it's close to Hollywood. Magic Johnson. I know he's one of the owners of the team, but I watched him and Larry Bird fight each other in the NBA when I was growing up, so that's always good.

Walker: Magic Johnson. I grew up watching Larry Bird vs. Magic. I'm a big fan of Bird, but unfortunately he's not from Hollywood. So it must be Magic.

Budzinsky: I'm a huge music fan, so I think anyone who knows about music is out there. I've never met Geddy Lee from Rush. I wish he would come into the club and say hello. I've always loved this band and what they do around the world, but I'm obviously from Canada.

SPORTSNET: This team is full of tough guys, but who is the toughest guy on the roster?

Small: For me it's a toss-up between Ernie [Clement] and Miles Straw. Miles actually integrates the positions of players and pitchers very well. He's just always joking. And Ernie is funny. He is very funny, he talks to everyone. For me it's kind of a coin toss.

Walker: Ernie Clement, just because a lot of what kept this team together was the way he plays, the way he's willing to do everything, play different positions, hit big shots, keep the line moving, just always bouncing. Springer would obviously be another one, but I think Ernie is the overlooked guy.

Heineman: Miles Straw. He does a really good job of blending baseball with outside activities and/or team camaraderie. He tries to get everyone together, like hanging out off the field, and if you don't hang out off the field, he gives you a bit of crap for it, which can be annoying sometimes, but ultimately I think it brings the team together. He did a really good job.

Ernie too, yes. This year at one of our pregame meetings, I want to say maybe late April, he said, “Hey, I just want everyone to know that win, lose, it doesn't matter, you're out of the game, you're out of the team, I'll just be at my locker at the end of the game, have a beer, and we can talk, hang out, just 15-20 minutes, relax after the game.” Many people started doing this.

Budzinski: Everyone likes Miles Straw and gets along with everyone. The conversations are unpleasant for everyone, it's fun, but it's obvious that he's a winner. He came from the Astros organization, which is a successful organization. For me it's that he keeps everyone on their toes and also prepared and he obviously wants to win.

Straw, after being told that many people called him: Bassitt, definitely. Not me at all. This is Bassitt. He's just always hanging around, talking to everyone, causing trouble for everyone. I will talk to Bassitt forever; he's one of the best personalities I've ever met in baseball or in general. He always has a good time and just makes people laugh. I'd love to go on a trip with Bassitt and spend a week with him, and you know you'll probably come back voiceless from laughing so much. Yes, he is a man.

With files from Shea Davidi, David Singh and Ben Nicholson-Smith.