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Two hundred and twenty-eight days after the start of the MLB season, it will all come down to one final game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers miraculously staved off elimination Friday night with an unorthodox double play on a fly ball to left, forcing a Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada Saturday night, only live on FOX.
For the Blue Jays, their decision on a Game 7 starter is a no-brainer as Max Scherzer is on regular rest and has been much better of late.
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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Shohei Ohtani pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning during Game 4 of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
For the Dodgers, they have a peculiar situation on their hands. Saturday would have been normal rest for Tyler Glasnow, but he was called upon to get the final three outs on Friday. It only took three places, so maybe he’s good to go. However, there is a catch with Shohei Ohtani.
After Game 6, Roberts said everyone except Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw six innings Friday, was available. That, of course, includes Ohtani, whose 10-strikeout performance — while hitting three home runs — sent the Dodgers to the Fall Classic.
“Everyone” also includes Glasnow, who was hardly worked to preserve the save. But due to a quirk of MLB rule 5.11(b), which was essentially made specifically for Ohtani, he may have no choice but to start.
MLB instituted a rule that if a starting pitcher was in the batting lineup, he could continue to hit despite being taken from the mound. However, this is not the case for relievers. So if Ohtani were to only DH on Saturday, and then pitch in relief, they would risk losing Ohtani for the rest of the game when he is taken off the mound. To keep his bat, he would have to pitch, which he hasn’t done since 2021 — he has just 8.1 innings pitched in his career, all in that season. On the other hand, a fielder who was already in the lineup would then be taken out of the game.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases for his solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington. The Dodgers won 4-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
DODGERS HOLD ELIMINATION TO SET UP WINNER-TAKE-ALL WORLD SERIES GAME 7
Several reports have circulated that the Dodgers plan to start Ohtani, and given the niche rule, that seems like the obvious choice. If Ohtani isn’t feeling it early, Roberts would have no problem going long-term with Glasnow.
As for Toronto, its bullpen appears to be locked and loaded. Kevin Gausman pitched the team six innings in a tough-lucky loss, and Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty and Seranthony Domínguez combined for just two innings before Chris Bassitt came in for the ninth.
George Springer figures to be back in the lineup after driving in the Jays’ lone run Friday, albeit in obvious discomfort from the injury he suffered in the 18-inning Game 3 marathon.
But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued a postseason performance that will be one for the record books, win or lose. He is one hit away from tying Randy Arozarena’s 2020 record for most hits in a single postseason (his teammate, Ernie Clement, is third).
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returns to the dugout after the eighth-inning baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
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With a win, the Dodgers would be the first team to win back-to-back titles since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000. It would be the first time in nearly 50 years that a team won two straight World Series titles on the road, the last being the Cincinnati Reds in Boston and New York in 19976 and 19976.
As for Toronto, a win would mark their first title since 1993, when Joe Carter hit a walk-off home run. It would also be just the second time since 2014 that the Fall Classic was won by the home team.
Fans definitely felt déjà vu coming into the bottom of the ninth Friday night, but they have to wait at least one more day.
