LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have the Toronto Blue Jays proper the place they need them within the World Collection — at dwelling for 3 video games in three days.
Tied at 1-1, the best-of-seven sequence resumes on Monday evening, when the Dodgers might be supported by their raucous followers in a bid to develop into the primary group to win consecutive championships for the reason that New York Yankees gained three from 1998-2000.
The Dodgers beat the Yankees in New York final 12 months for his or her eighth World Collection title. Their solely dwelling win was at Dodger Stadium in 1963.
Twenty hours after leaving the sector beneath the Rogers Heart’s closed roof, the Blue Jays practiced at Dodger Stadium on Sunday beneath hazy skies that obscured the San Gabriel Mountains. They arrived on the lodge at 4 am
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts solely arrived on the stadium at 5pm after flight delays.
Three-time Cy Younger Award winner Max Scherzer begins Sport 3 for the Blue Jays at 41 years, 82 days. They hope he can replicate his efficiency in Sport 4 of the American League Championship Collection, when Scherzer held the Seattle Mariners to 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings.
“Clearly, with age, you do not have the identical issues. I do know they do not have the identical management over him as he used to,” Roberts mentioned. “However, man, he is nonetheless an important competitor. It is nonetheless going to be a troublesome take a look at for us as a result of he needs to beat us so unhealthy.”
Dodger followers have their very own reminiscence of Scherzer, and it isn’t one. Scheduled to begin for Los Angeles in Sport 6 of the 2021 NLCS, he suffered a late damage due to arm fatigue. The Dodgers misplaced to the Atlanta Braves that evening and have been eradicated.
Obtain every day nationwide information
Get the day’s high information, political, financial and present affairs headlines delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
“I wouldn’t look again for any motivation,” Scherzer mentioned. “I’ve a number of motivation. I am right here to win and I’ve a membership full of men who additionally wish to win.”
Scherzer and Shane Bieber, who will begin Sport 4, will develop into the eighth duo of former Cy Younger winners to begin consecutive World Collection video games for one group, the Elias Sports activities Bureau mentioned.
Tyler Glasnow begins Monday for the Dodgers, a group he rooted for whereas rising up about 30 miles away in Santa Clarita. He has allowed one run and 7 hits with 18 strikeouts, eight walks and a 0.68 ERA in three begins this postseason.
“It’s totally sentimental and wonderful,” he mentioned, “however I believe it is one thing I will look again on extra and concentrate on and actually really feel the sentiments of it, possibly when that is throughout. I am simply making an attempt to work and do effectively.”
Toronto performed three street video games in three days within the ALCS in opposition to Seattle. The Blue Jays gained the primary two and misplaced the third, and gained in seven video games to earn their first journey to the World Collection since 1993.
“Beginning pitching might be vital for either side, and guys who can pitch a number of innings might be vital over the subsequent three days,” Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider mentioned. “However I believe particularly in opposition to this group, you wish to attempt to put on down the starters and get into the pen.”
The Dodgers’ bullpen had a 5.26 ERA in September, third-worst within the NL that month. His replacements blew a number of late leads and allowed 12 dwelling runs.
Los Angeles gained a essential lead over starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Sport 2 when he grew to become the primary pitcher since Mike Clevinger in 2023 to throw consecutive full video games at any level and the primary within the postseason since Curt Schilling in 2001. There hadn’t been one within the World Collection since 2015.
“All of it begins with inexperienced persons digging in,” Roberts mentioned. “Three in a row is essential to fluctuate the reliever’s look and get the perfect combos doable.”
Roberts mentioned he plans to restrict using rookie Roki Sasaki till the ninth inning.
Scherzer’s efficiency has declined in recent times as he has battled accidents. However he stays as intense as ever, and Schneider was reminded of that in the course of the heated change when he visited the mound at Scherzer’s ALCS begin.
“I’ll attempt to keep away from any visits from Max tomorrow,” he mentioned.
Bo is again to the start
Toronto’s Bo Bichette will begin at second base on Monday. He struck out as a pinch hitter within the seventh inning of a 5–1 Sport 2 loss and remained within the recreation at second.
“It was good to get out of yesterday,” Schneider mentioned. “I believe with every day that passes, it should in all probability get as near regular as doable at this stage of the 12 months.”
Bichette is a two-time All-Star shortstop and Friday’s debut was his first time at second base since a recreation at Triple-A in 2019. He went 1 for two with a stroll in an 11-4 victory in Sport 1, his first motion since tweaking his knee on Sept. 6 in opposition to the Yankees.
“I’ve a number of respect for him as a result of he’s altering positions presently when every part is de facto vital,” mentioned Toronto’s Andrés Giménez, who beforehand moved from second base to shortstop. “He is displaying that he can play second at degree. He confirmed the opposite day together with his backhand that it was actually tough.”
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Leave a Reply