The decisive showdown.
On the approaching Saturday evening, the ultimate victor of the Major League Baseball season will be determined. Will the Los Angeles Dodgers secure another championship, establishing themselves as the first team to achieve consecutive titles since the New York Yankees in 2000? Or will the Toronto Blue Jays claim their first title in a span of 32 years?
Prior to the Dodgers and Blue Jays stepping onto the field for a high-stakes, winner-take-all conclusion to an enthralling World Series, we engaged our MLB experts to dissect the pivotal factors that will ultimately decide which team emerges triumphant.
We’ll provide comprehensive coverage of all the unfolding action here, so be sure to revisit later for pregame lineup announcements, real-time analysis during the contest, and our concluding insights following the final play.
What strategic approach might the Blue Jays employ for their pitching in the final game?
The foremost principle of a decisive Game 7, as articulated by manager John Schneider immediately following Game 6, is the availability of all personnel. He specifically mentioned that even Kevin Gausman, who had just delivered 93 pitches in Game 6, would be available. Indeed, it wouldn’t be without precedent for him to take the mound: Randy Johnson commenced Game 6 in 2001 for the Diamondbacks and subsequently secured the final four outs to clinch Game 7.
While Max Scherzer is slated as the Game 7 starter, the Blue Jays’ bullpen is favorably positioned to absorb a substantial workload of innings. Closer Jeff Hoffman did not participate in Game 6, affording him two days of rest and the potential to contribute a couple of innings. Schneider did utilize his four primary relievers in Game 6 (Louis Varland, left-hander Mason Fluharty, Seranthony Dominguez, and Chris Bassitt), but none exceeded 17 pitches, rendering them available as needed, with Fluharty likely designated to navigate through the Shohei Ohtani-Will Smith-Freddie Freeman segment of the batting order at some juncture.
Bassitt, who remained inactive in the postseason until the ALCS, has since strung together 7⅔ scoreless innings while conceding only one hit. Schneider must regard him as a multi-inning option. Game 4 starter Shane Bieber will be an available option, pitching on three days of rest following his 81-pitch outing.
In essence, the scenario points towards a swift removal for Scherzer. Despite navigating his two postseason starts successfully — conceding two runs in 5⅔ innings against the Mariners and three runs in 4⅓ innings against the Dodgers — he has issued five walks and yielded three home runs across those 10 innings, hardly indicative of dominance. Recall his struggles in September (10.20 ERA), and his two postseason starts transpired after 21 and 10 days of rest, respectively. Now, he’ll be commencing on four days’ rest. With Bassitt and Bieber at his disposal, the Jays might seek only three innings from Scherzer and will likely be inclined to remove him before adversity arises. — David Schoenfield
What strategic approach might the Dodgers employ for their pitching in the final game?
The Dodgers intend to commence with Shohei Ohtani, a decision grounded in several factors. Firstly, Tyler Glasnow, initially slated to start Game 7, was deployed from the bullpen to conclude Game 6. More significantly, however, initiating the game presents the most seamless avenue for integrating Ohtani onto the pitching mound.
Due to the two-way player regulations, introducing Ohtani as a reliever would necessitate him occupying a position — in this instance, the outfield, where he hasn’t played throughout the season — to bat again after being removed as a pitcher. This constraint is circumvented if he commences the game. Ohtani could close out the game, as he did to conclude the 2023 World Baseball Classic for his native Japan, but that scenario introduces distinct logistical complexities. When would he commence his warm-up routine? And how would that preparation be affected by his anticipation of his turn to bat? Or if he is preoccupied with running the bases?
Therefore, anticipate Ohtani starting — and remaining on the mound for the duration of his effectiveness and optimal performance. Glasnow should be available to contribute a significant number of innings thereafter. He has never participated in consecutive games, but he also delivered only three pitches in Game 6. Subsequently, Roki Sasaki will be available, despite throwing 33 pitches on the preceding Friday night. Blake Snell, who started Game 5, might also be an option. Ideally, the Dodgers will not need to extend beyond these options. — Alden Gonzalez
What performance metrics should we anticipate from Ohtani in the final game?
Ohtani has previously started a game on three days’ rest on one occasion: April 21, 2023. However, that instance followed a prior start where he pitched only two innings. This time, he will ascend the mound on the grandest stage following a six-inning, 93-pitch start. Consequently, there is no precedent to draw upon. Nevertheless, Ohtani relishes the spotlight. He demonstrated this aptitude two weeks prior, when he homered three times and delivered six scoreless innings to secure a pennant. And he exemplified it two years prior, when he emerged from the bullpen in Miami and struck out then-teammate Mike Trout to secure victory in Major League Baseball’s prestigious international tournament. Irrespective of expectations, Ohtani will endeavor to surpass them. — Gonzalez
The Dodgers’ offensive output seemingly rebounded in Game 6. What adjustments do L.A. need to implement to sustain that momentum?
The Dodgers must adhere to their fundamental identity. While this might sound cliché, it underscores the essence of the Game 6 narrative. Despite their offensive struggles, strikeouts accumulated early against Kevin Gausman. However, they persisted in working at-bats, elevating his pitch count, and orchestrating the pivotal rally they required. While it hasn’t been aesthetically pleasing, it reflects the Dodgers’ underlying structure. Mookie Betts exhibited an offensive resurgence and should feel considerably more optimistic as they approach Saturday. This development is significant. The Dodgers have tallied six runs across the preceding three games, an unsustainable trend for a lineup of their caliber. Of course, this doesn’t guarantee the alleviation of their offensive slump by Saturday. — Bradford Doolittle
The Blue Jays’ hitters exhibited uncharacteristic quietness in Game 6. How can they rectify this situation?
Virtually everyone has been uncharacteristically quiet against Yoshinobu Yamamoto this postseason, so it’s not imperative for the Blue Jays to institute extensive changes following their solitary run in Game 6. They are likely to encounter Ohtani on limited rest, Glasnow with no rest, Sasaki on consecutive nights, or some amalgamation thereof. Toronto has navigated comparable circumstances as recently as the ALCS and is unlikely to exhibit offensive dormancy for a second consecutive night at home. Echoing Brad’s sentiment regarding the Dodgers, the prevailing message for the Jays should be to simply maintain their inherent approach. — Jesse Rogers
Which individuals on each side could emerge as pivotal X factors in determining the outcome of the decisive game?
Game 7 has elevated two players to Hall of Fame status: Bill Mazeroski (1960) and Jack Morris (1991) likely wouldn’t have achieved such recognition without their Game 7 performances in the World Series. Hall of Famers such as Walter Johnson (1924), Yogi Berra (1956), Sandy Koufax (1965), Bob Gibson (1967), and Willie Stargell (1979) have distinguished themselves in Game 7s. Unsung veterans such as Ray Knight (1986), Charlie Morton (2017), and Howie Kendrick (2019) have risen to the occasion in crucial moments. Role players such as Gene Larkin (1991) and Craig Counsell (1997) have delivered late-inning heroics.
In essence, anything is conceivable. Any player is capable of emerging as the hero. This encapsulates the inherent allure of the sport. The most straightforward response lies with the two marquee players: Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. possess the opportunity to accentuate their remarkable postseason performances. It is plausible that the player who exhibits the superior performance will guide his team to victory.
If a less conspicuous X factor is desired, consider Will Smith for Los Angeles and Chris Bassitt for Toronto. The Blue Jays have occasionally exhibited reluctance to pitch to Ohtani. If they resort to multiple intentional walks once again — although considering the repercussions of that strategy in Game 6, Schneider might revert to challenging Ohtani as he did in Games 4 and 5 — that will afford Smith opportunities to hit with runners on base. For the Jays, the crucial aspect is that Scherzer is unlikely to pitch deep into the game, and Bassitt is the candidate most likely to be entrusted with two or three innings in the middle portion of the game. — Schoenfield
Finally, prediction time: Which team will ultimately prevail?
Rogers: Toronto will emerge victorious with a 4-2 scoreline, with Max Scherzer etching his name into the annals of history, while Guerrero will be the obvious MVP selection.
Doolittle: The Dodgers ostensibly reign supreme in the baseball landscape, with the other 29 teams merely occupying secondary positions. While I don’t entirely subscribe to that notion, I do believe that the Blue Jays’ optimal opportunity for victory was on the preceding Friday. Now, they must contend with a Dodgers lineup that is demonstrably eager and a pitching staff capable of deploying Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, and Blake Snell within the same game. I am siding with L.A., and while I would be surprised by a lopsided outcome, I don’t foresee it being particularly dramatic. Dodgers 7, Blue Jays 3.
Schoenfield: Prior to the commencement of the World Series, I predicted that the Blue Jays would prevail in seven games, and I will maintain that stance. Their pitching situation is comparatively more favorable, while the Dodgers will be challenged to fill all nine innings effectively. Furthermore, it’s not as if the Dodgers’ offensive output experienced a significant resurgence in Game 6. The Jays have struggled against Yamamoto, but he will not be starting this particular game.
