MLB Season Culminates in Game 7 Showdown
After 228 days of play, the MLB season has reached its final game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to stave off elimination in a dramatic fashion on Friday with an unexpected double play that involved their left fielder. Now, they’re set to face the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7, which will be aired live on Saturday night in Canada, exclusively on FOX.
Choosing Max Scherzer as the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays seems logical, especially since he’s had ample rest and has been performing better recently.
For the Dodgers, it’s an interesting situation. Saturday was supposed to be a typical rest day for Tyler Glasnow, but he was called in to secure the last three outs the previous night. Fortunately, this didn’t take long, so he should be alright. But there’s a concern with Shohei Ohtani.
After Game 6, Roberts announced that all players were available except for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched six innings the night before. This includes Ohtani, whose outstanding performance—three home runs and ten strikeouts—was crucial in propelling the Dodgers to the Fall Classic.
The term “everyone” also applies to Glasnow, though he seemed pretty much spent. There’s a certain MLB rule that might complicate things for Ohtani. If he’s in the batting lineup, he can keep hitting even after stepping off the mound, but relief pitchers don’t get the same flexibility. If Ohtani is just a designated hitter on Saturday and later comes in as a reliever, it could mean losing his bat for the rest of the game. He has to be on the field to maintain that, but he hasn’t had a full-time fielding role since 2021—just 8.1 innings that whole season.
Dodgers Make Strategic Play for Game 7
Reports suggest that the Dodgers are leaning toward starting Ohtani, and given this peculiar rule, it seems like the right call. If he doesn’t perform early on, it won’t be a surprise if Roberts decides to stick with Glasnow for the long haul.
As for the Blue Jays, their bullpen appears well-prepared. Kevin Guzman pitched six innings in the previous game, while Luis Berland, Mason Fluharty, and Seranthony Dominguez together pitched just two innings, leaving Chris Bassitt to close in the ninth.
George Springer seems to have returned to the lineup, scoring the Jays’ only run, though he’s clearly still nursing an injury from the lengthy Game 3.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to shine in the postseason, notching impressive performances regardless of the outcome. He’s just one hit away from matching Randy Arozarena’s record for most postseason hits from 2020, with teammate Ernie Clement trailing behind him.
Implications of a Win
If the Dodgers clinch the victory, they would be the first team since the New York Yankees (1998 to 2000) to win back-to-back titles. Remarkably, this would mark the first time in nearly 50 years that any team has won consecutive World Series away from home, with the last instance being the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976.
On the other hand, a win for Toronto would mean their first title since 1993, when Joe Carter hit a memorable walk-off home run. This also highlights a trend, as it would be the second time since 2014 that the home team has taken the Fall Classic.
Fans undoubtedly sensed a feeling of déjà vu on Friday night, but there’s at least one more game left to play before the conclusion of this thrilling season.
