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Two hundred and twenty-eight days into the MLB season, it will all come down to one last game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers miraculously avoided 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 on Saturday night, live only 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 pitching much better lately.
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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player 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/Image Images)
For the Dodgers, they have a peculiar situation on their hands. Saturday would have been a normal rest for Tyler Glasnow, but he was called up to get the final three outs on Friday. It only took three casts, so maybe it’s done. However, there is a problem with Shohei Ohtani.
After Game 6, Roberts said everyone was available except Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched six innings on Friday. Obviously, that includes Ohtani, whose 10-strikeout performance while hitting three home runs sent the Dodgers to the Fall Classic.
“Everyone” also includes Glasnow, who worked hard to preserve the save. But due to a quirk in 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 bat despite being taken off the mound. However, that is not the case with relievers. So if Ohtani were only a designated hitter on Saturday and then pitched in relief, they would risk losing Ohtani for the rest of the game by being carted off the mound. To keep his bat, he would have to play in the field, which he hasn’t done since 2021 – he has just 8.1 career innings in the field, all in that season. In turn, a defender already in the lineup would be removed from 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 AVOID ELIMINATION TO PREPARE WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME 7 OF WORLD SERIES
Numerous reports have circulated that the Dodgers plan to start Ohtani, and given the niche rule, he seems like the obvious choice. If Ohtani doesn’t get him early, Roberts would have no problem going with Glasnow longer.
As for Toronto, their bullpen appears to be ready and loaded. Kevin Gausman gave the team six innings in a hard-luck loss, and Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty and Seranthony Dominguez combined for just two innings before Chris Bassitt came in for the ninth.
George Springer appears to be back in the lineup after driving in the Blue Jays’ only run on Friday, although clearly uncomfortable with the injury he suffered in the 18-inning marathon of Game 3.
But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed up with a postseason performance that will go down in 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 (teammate Ernie Clement is third).
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returns to the dugout after eighth inning action of the 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 in a row from 1998 to 2000. It would be the first time in nearly 50 years that a team has won back-to-back World Series titles on the road, the last time being the Cincinnati Reds in Boston and New York in 1975 and 1976.
As for Toronto, a win would mark its first title since 1993, when Joe Carter hit a game-winning home run. It would also be just the second time since 2014 that the home team would win the Fall Classic.
Fans certainly felt déjà vu at the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday night, but they have to wait at least one more day.
