The Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions, faced potential elimination Friday night, needing a win to stay alive.
However, a strategic decision to bring in Tyler Glasnow, who was slated to start on Sunday, during the ninth inning’s final moments proved crucial for the Dodgers’ survival.
Glasnow entered the high-stakes game with Blue Jays runners on second and third. He swiftly secured three outs with just three pitches, closing the game and forcing a decisive Game 7.
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Two of those outs occurred after the Dodgers transformed what seemed like a potential game-tying hit into a pivotal double play to end the game.
For Game 6, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts once again opted to adjust the batting order.
Mookie Betts, after moving from second to third in the lineup during Wednesday’s Game 5 defeat, was placed in the cleanup spot Friday against Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman.
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Betts hadn’t batted as low as fourth since the 2017 American League Division Series’ final game against Houston. Game 5 marked the first time since 2021 that Betts started outside the top two spots in Los Angeles’ lineup.
Entering Game 6 with a 3-for-23 record and no RBIs or extra-base hits in the World Series, Betts capitalized on his new batting position, delivering a two-run single in the third inning.
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto didn’t replicate his Game 2 performance, where he pitched the first World Series complete game in a decade. He pitched six innings, conceding only an RBI single to George Springer in the third inning, who returned after missing two games due to injury.
Following the game, Roberts explained his decision to bring in Glasnow as a relief pitcher.
“This is it, do or die. You’ve got to put everything on the line and then gather the pieces,” Roberts told FOX Sports. ” Roki (Sasaki) wasn’t as sharp. I felt right there Glasnow had swing and miss stuff and I just wanted to bet on him.”
Max Scherzer will pitch Game 7 for the Blue Jays on Saturday night. He also started the last World Series Game 7, receiving a no-decision when Washington secured the 2019 title against Houston.
The Dodgers are aiming to be the first team to achieve consecutive titles since the New York Yankees’ three-year streak from 1998 to 2000. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are looking to break their championship drought and secure their first World Series title since 1993.
Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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