Blue Jays enter World Series as underdogs against Ohtani’s DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers and superstar Shohei Ohtani have arrived in Toronto as the favourites ahead of the World Series against the Blue Jays but Jays fans are excited and the team’s players and coaches believe in their chances.The LatestWe’re now in the fifth inning in Game 1.Another pitching change for the Jays — Mason Fluharty replaced Yesavage, now Seranthony Domínguez is coming into the game.Dalton Varsho hits a 2-run home run to make it 2-2.The Toronto Blue Jays have so far missed two key opportunities, including leaving the bases loaded at the end of the first.Thousands of fans have packed Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto to watch the home team return to the championship for the first time in more than 30 years.UpdatesOctober 253 minutes agoSchneider makes pitching change in 5thGeoff NixonToronto Blue Jays’ Davis Schneider strikes out against the Los Angeles Dodgers to end the third inning. (Brynn Anderson/The Associated Press)After Fluharty’s strikeout of Ohtani, Betts came to the plate and hit a single off the Toronto reliever.The Dodgers’ Freeman was up next, fouling off a number of pitches before hitting a long fly ball that Varsho caught on the warning track.Blue Jays manager John Schneider came out to make a pitching change: Reliever Seranthony Domínguez was called to the mound, with two out in the bottom of the fifth.Domínguez then threw one pitch and drew an inning-ending fly ball from the Dodgers’ Smith.5 minutes agoToronto mayor kicks-off watch partyMark GollomToronto Mayor Olivia Chow gets the crowd at Nathan Phillips Square going during a World Series Game 1 watch party. (Mark Gollom/CBC)It’s a cool, brisk night as hundreds of Jays fans have gathered at Nathan Phillips Square for a World Series watch party near Toronto’s city hall. A giant screen has been set up to watch the game. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow got things rolling, addressing the crowd. “Are you excited for Game 1,” she asked and the crowd responded “YES!” “Are we going to do this?” Not surprisingly, another big “yes” from the crowd.6 minutes agoThe best friend clutchMark GollomBest friends Jaylen Lee, left, and Dhibyan Dinesh Lamar clutched each other after every play while watching Game 1 of the World Series on a big screen at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square. (Mark Gollom/CBC)Watching Game 1 on the big screen at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, best friends Jaylen Lee and Dhibyan Dinesh Lamar clutch each other tightly after every play.A ball, a strike, a hit — doesn’t matter. Every play for them seems life or death.“It’s been 33 years! What else can we do?,” Lamar said. They said they had to watch this game together, but more importantly, with a big crowd of like-minded fans“There’s hundreds of people here, we’re in Canada, of course we have to be here,” Lamar said.7 minutes agoFans bundle up, but still rep their favourite JaysMark GollomGeorge Springer’s jersey was one of the most popular among those watching Game 1 of the World Series during a watch party in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. (Mark Gollom/CBC)With 6 C temperatures, many of the fans gathered at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square are pretty bundled up. That means it’s hard to know how many are wearing their Blue Jays best underneath their layers. But some are sporting their favourite Jays’ jerseys. And which ones are the most popular? Well, based on a completely unscientific survey of the crowd, it would seem it’s pretty split between No. 4 George Springer and No. 11 Bo Bichette. Certainly, a close third is No. 27, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.And, of course, there are a few Leafs sweaters in the mix.11 minutes agoFluharty strikes out Ohtani to start 5th for JaysGeoff NixonToronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during fifth inning. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)Toronto reliever Mason Fluharty came into the game to start the fifth, with the game tied at 2-2.His first batter was Ohtani, and Fluharty struck out the Dodgers superstar to get the first out of the inning.12 minutes agoNo further runs in 4th for JaysGeoff NixonThere were no outs when Varsho hit his homer that tied the game at 2-2.Clement came to the plate, but hit a fly ball to give the Dodgers their first out of the inning. Straw followed by lining out to L.A. left-fielder Enrique Hernández for out number two.Giménez then struck out to end the inning for Toronto.14 minutes agoYesavage’s night over after 4 inningsMyles DichterToronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage looks on after giving up a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during third inning. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)The decision to start Yesavage, a 22-year-old rookie, was a bold one. Whether it worked out is in the eye of the beholder.For now, manager John Schneider must navigate the rest of Game 1 using his bullpen after Yesavage lasted just four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five.It wasn’t Yesavage’s best effort. But he limited the damage, got key outs, and crucially pitched a clean fourth inning against the bottom of the Dodgers lineup.Mason Fluharty, who emerged as the Blue Jays’ most trusted left-handed reliever, will enter to face Ohtani leading off the fifth inning.Fluharty’s biggest moment of the season may have come against Ohtani, when he picked up his first career save to preserve a 5-4 Blue Jays win in August after striking out the Japanese star with the bases loaded in the ninth.17 minutes agoVarsho’s power showMyles DichterVarsho didn’t play much during the regular season, appearing in just 71 games. Yet, besides his typically stellar defence, he made a massive impression with his power, finishing fourth on the team with 20 home runs.Now — in a difficult lefty-lefty matchup against Snell — he’s delivered a big swat yet again to draw the Blue Jays level at 2-2.18 minutes agoJays tie up game 2-2 in 4th inningGeoff NixonToronto Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho hits a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during fourth inning. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)Kirk was first up for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the fourth. He fell behind 0-2, but worked the count, fouling off multiple pitches, before hitting a single to right field.Daulton Varsho then came up to bat and hit a timely two-run blast for Toronto.That tied the game at 2-2.23 minutes agoYesavage gets 2 strikeouts in 4thGeoff NixonYesavage returned to start the fourth for Toronto. He started with a strikeout of the Dodgers’ Enrique Hernández — in contrast to the previous two innings, in which he walked the first batter he faced.Then he struck out Edman for a second out.Pages then came to bat and hit a long fly ball to the outfield to end the top of the inning.
Blue Jays bash a 2-run homer to tie Game 1 of the World Series 2-2
