The Toronto Blue Jays return to baseball’s biggest stage tonight, and they have the tools to finish the job. The Los Angeles Dodgers may be loaded with superstars and experience, but the Jays have the right mix of youth, depth, and hunger to take them down.
Toronto’s pitching gives them a real shot. Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer have been good and rookie Trey Yesavage has given the rotation fresh life. Their bullpen, led by Jeff Hoffman and Louis Varland and addition of Chris Bassit, has quietly done the job for when counted on.
Offensively, this lineup has matured. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has rediscovered his power stroke, George Springer bat stays steady under pressure, and remains a clutch force with his Game 7 home run to send Toronto to the World Series still ringing across the country. Add in the excellent team defense and the energy of Ernie Clement and Alejandro Kirk, and this is a team that can grind out runs against any staff.
The Dodgers have the names, but Toronto’s balance is their edge. The Jays can win low-scoring battles or trade blows in slugfests. Their defense, base running, and situational hitting have all improved, and their confidence is peaking at the perfect time.
Most of all, they’re playing for more than themselves. Canada is behind them, coast to coast, believing this might finally be the year.
Four wins away. The Blue Jays can absolutely take this World Series—they just have to keep playing the fearless baseball that got them here.
