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Two hundred and twenty-eight days after the start of the MLB season, everything will be decided on one last match.
The Los Angeles Dodgers miraculously avoided elimination Friday night with an unorthodox double play on a ball to left, forcing a Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada Saturday night, live only on FOX.
For the Blue Jays, their decision on a starter for Game 7 is a no-brainer, as Max Scherzer is on regular rest and is pitching much better as of late.
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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way infielder Shohei Ohtani pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning of Game 4 of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
For the Dodgers, they have a special situation on their hands. Saturday would have been a normal rest for Tyler Glasnow, but he was called upon to get the final three outs on Friday. It only took three throws, 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 pitched six innings Friday, was available. Obviously, that includes Ohtani, whose 10-out performance — while hitting three home runs — sent the Dodgers to the Fall Classic.
“Everyone” also includes Glasnow, who worked hard to preserve the backup. But due to a quirk in MLB Rule 5.11(b), which was essentially designed 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 even if he was taken off the mound. This is not the case for relievers, however. So if Ohtani only DH’d on Saturday and then pitched in relief, they would risk losing Ohtani for the remainder of the game after he was removed from the mound. In order to keep his bat, he would have to play the outfield, which he hasn’t done since 2021 – he only has 8.1 innings in the outfield in his career, all in this season. In turn, a defensive player already in the lineup would then 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 HOST WINNER-TAKE-ALL WORLD SERIES GAME 7
Numerous reports have circulated that the Dodgers were considering starting Ohtani, and given the doghouse rule, that seems like the obvious choice. If Ohtani doesn’t have it early, Roberts would have no problem facing Glasnow longer.
As for Toronto, their bullpen appears locked and loaded. Kevin Gausman gave the team six innings in a tough loss, and Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty and Seranthony Domínguez combined for just two innings before Chris Bassitt came in for the ninth.
George Springer is expected to be back in the lineup after driving in the Jays’ only run Friday, although he is clearly uncomfortable due to the injury he suffered during the 18-inning marathon in Game 3.
But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued a postseason performance that will go down in the record books, win or loss. 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 an 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 in a row from 1998 to 2000. It would be the first time in nearly 50 years that a team won back-to-back World Series titles on the road, the last being the Cincinnati Reds in Boston and New York in 1975 and 1976.
As for Toronto, a victory would mark its first title since 1993, when Joe Carter hit a home run. It would also be only the second time since 2014 that the Fall Classic was won by the home team.
Fans certainly felt déjà vu at the bottom of the ninth Friday night, but they have to wait at least one more day.
