Introduction to the World Series
The World Series wasn’t supposed to start like this. The Dodgers weren’t supposed to begin their inevitable championship march like this. Even playing in their raucous Rogers Centre north of the border in the opener Friday, the cute little Toronto Blue Jays were supposed to be a far inferior team, eh? For baseball’s burgeoning dynasty, there suddenly looms disaster. For the dominating Dodgers, this is now a World Serious.
The Blue Jays’ Dominant Performance
The Blue Jays didn’t just win Game 1, they hammered the Dodgers into a maple-leafy pulp, 11-4, battering their ace and bruising their ego and sending a message. It was delivered in the ninth inning, when the fans rained a chant down on Shohei Ohtani, who spurned the Blue Jays in his free agent sweepstakes two years ago and whose two-run homer meant nothing Friday night. “We don’t need you… we don’t need you.” When the game ended shortly and mercifully thereafter, another unspoken message had been sent. You know where you can stick your broom… Truly, the only thing getting swept in this series is the Dodgers’ aura of invincibility, as the Blue Jays did exactly what they needed to do by hitting them precisely where it hurts.
The Dodgers’ Struggles
Welcome to the postseason, Dodger bullpen. Now get lost. Wearing down ace Blake Snell for 29 pitches in the first inning and 100 pitches by the sixth, the pesky Blue Jays hitters loaded the bases with none out and the score tied 2-all when Snell left the game for the maligned and recently ignored Dodger relievers. And all Hortons broke loose. Emmet Sheehan lasted four hitters and allowed three baserunners. Ernie Clement singled in a run, Nathan Lukes walked to force in a run and Andrés Giménez singled in a run, and have you ever heard of any of those guys? Enter Anthony Banda, and exit an Addison Barger fly ball into the right-field stands for the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. Add an ensuing single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a home run from Alejandro Kirk and you pretty much get the picture.
The Aftermath
The Dodgers gave up nine runs in the sixth inning, more than twice as many runs as they gave up in the entire four-game National League Championship Series win against the Milwaukee Brewers. Worse yet, they allowed, for the first time this postseason, some doubt. Did the seven days off since the NLCS sweep ruin their timing as brief October vacations have done to Dodger teams in the past? After all, this is the fifth time in World Series history a team coming off a sweep played a team that was stretched to seven games, and in the previous four times, the team that was stretched won the series. “You know, honestly, I really don’t think the week layoff had anything to do with tonight,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “We were rested. I thought we were in a good spot.”
The Road Ahead
The Dodgers had gone 9-1 in these playoffs mostly because their quality starting pitching had allowed them to usually avoid the bullpen except for closer Roki Sasaki. If Roberts has to keep opening that gate early, they’re in trouble. “They need to bounce back,” Roberts said of his relievers. “With the construct of the pen, we’re going to need ‘em.” The Dodgers will roll out another ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in Game 2 Saturday. He pitched a complete game in his last start, so maybe there’s no cause to worry. Or maybe the Blue Jays just gave them 11 good reasons to worry. This is an offense that works the count to two strikes and then rarely chases once they get there. This is an offense that can wear you down even if you are Blake Snell and coming off one of the best postseason pitching performances in history. This is an offense that patiently, painfully, stuck it to a Dodger strength.
Conclusion
The Blue Jays’ victory in Game 1 has sent a message to the Dodgers that they are not invincible. The Dodgers’ struggles in the game have raised doubts about their ability to win the series. The team’s performance in the upcoming games will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series. The Dodgers need to bounce back from this loss and regain their momentum if they want to win the championship.
FAQs
Q: What was the score of Game 1 of the World Series?
A: The Blue Jays won Game 1 with a score of 11-4.
Q: Who hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history?
A: Addison Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.
Q: What is the Dodgers’ record in the playoffs so far?
A: The Dodgers had gone 9-1 in the playoffs before losing Game 1 of the World Series.
Q: Who will pitch for the Dodgers in Game 2?
A: Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch for the Dodgers in Game 2.
Q: What is the key to the Blue Jays’ offense?
A: The Blue Jays’ offense works the count to two strikes and then rarely chases once they get there, which allows them to wear down opposing pitchers.
