Key events
Dodgers 3-1 Blue Jays, top 4th
Mucbny bounces to short. One down. Gausman has thrown 612 pitches through 3 1/3 innings pitched.
Now Hernandez pops up high to second. That’s easy for Bichette. Two down.
Edman, who had a big double and scored an inning ago, is back in the box.
Email!
Kirkby is back!
“Walking Ohtani has put Gausman off his game, if they keep walking him, it’s curtains for the Jays. More at bats, more runs.”
Interesting. The more I consider that, the more I think maybe you’re on to something. Still, it’s hard to argue against it with first base open. If he pitches to Ohtani there and he comes through, Schneider is facing a LOT of heat.
Dodgers 3-1 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
Lukes skies out to left, inning over, but not before Toronto claws a run back!
To the fourth!
RUN! Dodgers 3-1 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
Springer cracks a line drive to center field and that’s a base hit! Barger comes home and what can you say but WOW!
That’s a run back in a shut down inning opportunity for LA.
Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
It’s 3-0! Springer even grimaces on a check swing.
Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
Gimenez strikes a line shot to second that puts Rojas on his back! He recovers to throw out the runner at first. Two down, Barger moves to third, and here’s Springer in a big spot.
Does he have enough in the tank to come through against the Dodgers ace?
Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
Gimenez waves at a change up and it’s 3-2.
Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
Considering Yamamoto pitched a complete game against Toronto his last time on the bump, the Jays really need to score here and get off the schnide vs the Japanese hurler.
All that said, Clement is down on three pitches. One out, and it’s Gimenez to the plate in the nine hole. The light hitting shortstop has had his share of big hits this October.
Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, bottom 3rd
It’s 7,8,9 for Toronto and Barger starts it off for the home team. He’s quickly in the hole 1-2. Then he has a knock off the side wall in left field! The bounce means he can turn the corner and tun two! So now the Jays have a lead off runner in their half of the third!
Clement is next with a runner in scoring position.
Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
Teoscar Hernandez becomes Gausman’s third strikeout victim and the inning is over. But not before significant damage. A three run deficit is a big hurdle the way Yamamoto is throwing right now.
RUN! Dodgers 3-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
Betts slaps a single through the hole on the left side of the infield! Ohtani scores! Here comes Smith! Mookie Betts comes through! A crooked number for LA quiets the crowd in Toronto!
Dodgers 1-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
Big cut, big miss! It’s 1-2 as the crowd gets loud.
Dodgers 1-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
Bases loaded, two outs, and a chance for Mookie Betts to snap out of it in the biggest of spots. The key for Toronto all series has been avoiding the big inning.
This is a big test.
It’s a 1-1 count.
RUN! Dodgers 1-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
Will Smith delivers! It’s a base hit to left and it scores Edman! The Dodgers strike first and it’s Smith who befuddles Gausman for a second straight game!
That turned quickly!
Now Gausman faces Freeman with two on and two outs…and walks him!
Here comes pitching coach Pete Walker for a chat.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
Boom! Strikeout no7! Rojas watches a pitch, that was totally a ball, go by, which makes sense. Home plate umpire Adam Hamari could be questioned for that call for sure. They intentionally walk Ohtani. Of course.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 3rd
So it looks like this is going to be a who blinks fiorst kind of pitching match-up, similar to Game 2, which also featured these two hurlers.
Here comes Hernandez to the plate, and quickly he’s besieged by splitters.
It’s 2-2 before Gausman strikes again! Hernandez is defenseless. Six strikeouts and we’re in the third inning.
Now Edman hits a screamer over the head of Guerrero! Wow that had heat! It’s off the wall and LA’s center fielder strolls into second with a double!
Finallyu, a base runner for the Dodgers and Rojas steps in with a runner in scoring position for Rojas.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 2nd
Kirk pops to center field – it’s a can of corn for Edman, and for all the hype around Gausman so far, and I gotta call it like I see it, Yamamoto has been just as brilliant through two, while throwing five less pitches. And on the road in font of a hostile crowd.
Credit.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 2nd
With two outs and nobody on – full count – Yamamoto v Kirk. How will it end?
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 2nd
Little infield pop up to short, totally harmless, and Mookie makes the gab.
Yamamoto has been even more efficient than Gausman. But now he runs the count up 3-1 to Kirk.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 2nd
Bichette leads off in the Jays second and takes a strike from Yamamoto.
Remember, Bichette did not play in Game 2, which means these two have yet to face each other.
So far, it’s advantage Yamamoto as Bichette strikes out a few pitches later.
One down an here’s Varsho, who has a knack for the dramatic.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 2nd
The 2-2 splitter is low and in. The count is full! This is as good as it has gotten for LA so far.
And then he whiffs on the split.
Gausman is perfecto through two! Good lord he looks great.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 2nd
For Teoscar, it’s good morning, good afternoon and goodnight. Three pitches, three strikes, and that means he’s out. Three K’s now for the vet. Two down for Muncy.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 2nd
So here’s Betts to lead off for the Dodgers, and wow, what a season for the outfielder turned shortstop. You don’t like to see such a class player struggle the way he has, and as he ages, you have to wonder…well, you know.
He bounces out to short. Four straight retired by Gausman to start Game 6. Teoscar is next.
E-mail!
Claire McConnell is here to talk anthems! I like it!
“I am, admittedly, a dual Canadian/British citizen living in Toronto who has supported the Jays since emigrating here in 1982. So perhaps I am biased… but I thought John Vincent was absolutely dreadful. I’ve sung in choirs my whole life so can recognize good and bad singing, and he was dull and flat. Hopefully that will be a reflection of the Dodgers tonight because if this goes to game 7, I think Toronto will implode with stress.”
Hey, you’re a semi-pro! I’ll take it from you. It turns out that, yes, he is something of a Frank Sinatra impersonator. Kind of a bizarre choice, no?
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 1st
Line drive towards third – Muncy with the stab – over to second for one, then plenty of time to get Vlady at first. Bang-bang! Double play, inning over! That’s 5-4-3 if you’re keeping score at home. And you are, aren’t you?
So Muncy taketh away, and then he giveth.
To the second!
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 1st
Lukes grounds to the left side of the infield – Muncy looks to make the play but the chop is under his glove and into the outfield! Dodgy Dodger defense – one on and one out for Vlady!
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, bottom 1st
Alright, well here’s George Springer, who is facing Yamamoto with the help of modern medicine, and maybe a few shots of whiskey.
Yamamoto gets a big swing on 1-2, and it doesn’t look so great. Then he checks his swing on an inside pitch that evens the count.
There’s more wincing as he fouls off the next pitch.
Finally, he grounds out to short.
Interesting. Can he contribute?
Nathan Lukes is next.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 1st
Splitter away, and a swing and a miss! It’s 1-2 to the Dodgers slugger!
And now he waves at strike three!
Kevin Gausman strikes out the side to get the party started in Toronto! Wow!
The vet sliced through the most formidable part of the Dodgers lineup like it was a very soft, delectable slice of cheese.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 1st
Smith goes down swinging! He waves at the ball away and Gausman has two strikeouts to start off Game 6!
Now here comes Freddie Freeman into the batters box.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 1st
Smith hits a cue ball towards third that rolls foul. Then Gausman throws a ball past the catcher Kirk to the backstop – just a bit outside.
The Jays crowd are standing, already! And now they’re even louder after a Smith wing and a miss! It’s a 1-2 count to the Dodgers catcher.
Dodgers 0-0 Blue Jays, top 1st
It’s a splitter fest from Gausman, who gets ahead 0-2 on Ohtani before the slugger works the count even.
Then the splitter strikes again, and Ohtani is no match for it – strike three! One down, here comes Smith, who had that 7th inning home run in Game 2.
Away we go!
Game 6 is on! The Dodgers, a juggernaut that has only managed four runs in their last 29 innings, come to bat first, looking to make a statement. And who better to do that than Ohtani, who steps in right now!
The first pitch from the Jays right handed veteran hurler Kevin Gausman is a splitter of course, and Ohtani whiffs at the diving quail!
Get fired up!
Great job by FOX Sports with Brad Pitt (So LA!) on their open to Game 6!
The lineups!
Here is your starting lineup for the NL champs and the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers!
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Will Smith, C
3. Mookie Betts, SS
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B
5. Teoscar Hernandez, RF
6. Max Muncy, 3B
7. Kike Hernandez, LF
8. Tommy Edman, CF
9. Miguel Rojas, 2B
P. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP
So Mookie Betts continues to slide down the lineup, this time, into the cleanup spot. He’s hitting a buck 30 this World Series, which he will tell you in crystal clear terms, is not good.
And here’s the lineup for the AL champs, the Toronto Blue Jays
1. George Springer, DH
2. Nathan Lukes, LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr, 1B
4. Bo Bichette, 2B
5. Daulton Varsho, CF
6. Alejandro Kirk, C
7. Addison Barger, RF
8. Ernie Clement, 3B
9. Andres Gimenez, SS
P. Kevin Gausman, RHP
Yep, George Springer is back in the lineup, which makes it all the more formidable. Usually, when you swing and hold your side and make a crazy looking face, it means you’re going to be out for some time with a lat injury, or something like that. So who knows what kind of horse tranquilizer they shot him up with to get him in the batters box tonight. I’m joking of course…sort of. Said Jays manager John Schneider:
“He’s ready to go. He may look uncomfortable on a couple [swings], but I think we all have reassurance from all of the testing that he’ll be able to tolerate it.”
That will be an interesting watch, and not long from now. Hang in there. First pitch is about 8:08 ET, Midnight in Ol Blighty.
Email!
Richard Woods writes:
“The strangest thing about this series is that the team on any objective measure has played the better throughout the series is still being seen as the underdog, and all that the classier team has to do is to reassert its authority after Yamamoto pitches another complete game. Hmmm. I’m not confident as such but not intimidated either. Let’s see how lucky (according to Blake Snell) we can be today. “
Yeah, such is the cache of the champs. You are heard. Personally I like the Jays tonight, 5-4. Big drama.
National anthems!
The US anthem is up first. John Vincent sounds like Frank Sinatra, which is kind of crazy. Am I right? He goes with a long “freeeeeeeeeee” and then extends the end. It’s a bit much and takes away from what was otherwise rock solid. 7/10.
Now it’s O Canada! David Grenon seems to be something of a regular up in Toronto. Excellent work right there – steady with some umph. I’d give it 7.75/10.
Email!
Roger Kirkby is back!
“All the marbles are on the table, but I don’t think they will be picked up tonight. Those Dodger wood slingers can’t be kept quiet forever. We will all be back tomorrow and that’s what we want. The ultimate game seven do or to die for.”
I wouldn’t complain.
This seems about right.
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E-mail!
David Athya writes:
“As a neutral I’m wanting a Game 7 (and more Guardian coverage!) There’s a good chance of that with Yamamoto on the mound tonight. The Dodgers offence needs to produce more though. Will Mookie Betts finally show up in this series?
Springer back for Blue Jays is a huge boost and also replacing Kiner-Falefa who was maybe the only player in the line up not contributing. I’ll say Dodgers to edge a close one this evening.”
I think if Betts starts hitting it will be contagious. Myself and everyone else are really curious as to what Springer can do. Usually side injuries like that are so tough. I’m no doctor (true story) but it seems a bit wild that he’s back already!
No stick!
It’s the question all of LA is trying to answer – what happened to LA’s bats? They’ve all but dissipated in these playoffs, odd considering the monsters they have in the lineup. Who can match Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman, not to mention the threatening ex-Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and the postseason beast Kike Hernandez.
The Dodgers have hit a menial .201/.296/.354/.651 this series, which for those of you who may not be familiar with such stats, is just nonsensical considering the pricey talent LA carry to the diamond. This in contrast to the Jays more robust outfit that have outscored their competition by 29 runs to 18 over the first five games. Gulp!
So basically, LA need to figure out how to turn this thing around before Game 8. Last time out against Gausman, they were stymied by his splitter through six, finally catching on an inning later when a Will Smith home run gave the Dodgers all they would need in a 5-1 win.
Can LA make an early-game statement by getting to the Jays veteran hurler early?
You are looking live…
…at our rolling coverage of Game 6 of the World Series! I’m your host, David Lengel, and I could not be more ready to bring you the print play-by-play of the upcoming Fall Classic encounter between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. Especially because this is an elimination game and the “piece of metal” – which is how MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred – once described the World Series trophy – is in the house.
The Rogers Centre in downtown Tdot is buzzing with the expectation of a third Jays championship, that is, if they can fend off LA one last time. If they can, it will be a worst-to-first meteoric rise for the club that barely anyone (except me) picked to unseat the champs. All that said, if the Dodgers somehow remember how to hit, there’s every chance that this Fall Classic could extend until Saturday for a winner take all Game 7, which surely all baseball fans with no skin in the game would sign up for right now.
For LA, the pitching piece they want on the hill is making the start: Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw all nine innings in his brilliant, crucial Game 2 performance which leveled the series for the Dodgers. Toronto’s hurler will be Kevin Gausman, who matched Yamamoto pitch-for-pitch that evening, at one point retiring 17 straight batters, until unraveling in the 7th inning.
So we have pair of aces and two great teams that are sprinting towards the conclusion of the 2025 season preparing to entertain all of us, and who could ask for anything more?
We’ll have more pregame fodder as we head towards first pitch, but for now, why not join the show and share your thoughts with all of us! You can email me right here. Do it – I’ll make you famous.
More to come – stick with us!
The city of Toronto is buzzing with the Blue Jays one win from their third World Series title and first in 32 years. Here’s a look at how some of the home fans have gussied up for the occasion as they descend on Rogers Centre for tonight’s Game 6.
David will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s a look back at Wednesday’s Game 5.
