With a 6-2 win over Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the Blue Jays are confident they will be back in front of their Toronto fans by the end of the World Series.
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Game 6 will indeed take place at Rogers Center on Friday, with perhaps even a decider the next day.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run homer, his seventh long ball since the start of the playoffs, in the third inning against Ohtani. In helping his team go 2-2 in the grand finale, the Blue Jays star also broke the team's all-time playoff points record with 14. Paul Molitor held that record with 13 in 1993, the Jays' last winning year.
Four-run inning
Like his teammates, Guerrero Jr. was unimpressed by the phenomenon Ohtani, who, like Babe Ruth early in his career more than a century ago, had a dual mandate as pitcher and hitter. The Japanese allowed three runs in six innings, giving way to relievers after giving up hits to Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement in the top of the seventh with no outs yet. The Blue Jays also added four runs during the move on five hits and an intentional walk awarded to Guerrero Jr.
Starting the game on the mound for the Blue Jays, Shane Bieber threw a curveball with a hard hit. He held Dodgers hitters to just one run in five and a third inning of work.
Yesavage v. Snell
Before returning to Toronto, the two teams will meet again in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Young Ryan Yesavage, 22, will be the Blue Jays' starter, and the Dodgers will bet on Blake Snell.
This pitching duel occurred during the first game of this World Series. Snell was not up to the task, allowing five earned runs in five innings last Friday at Rogers Center in the Jays' impressive 11-4 victory in front of their fans.
Springer is missing
The Blue Jays started Tuesday night's win with a game as George Springer had to be sidelined with an injury. Nathan Lux was tasked with replacing him at the top of the offensive lineup, while Guerrero Jr. moved up to second.
It was the right combination to tame Ohtani and the Dodgers. Lux had two hits in three at-bats before being replaced during the game by a relief batter.
