Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. FileArticle contentI’ve watched thousands and thousands of baseball games, professional and amateur, but the most exciting game I ever watched was the 6-5 18-inning World Series thriller between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentBoth teams had multiple chances to win, and each team had players thrown out on the bases with the game on the line. One had to feel sorry for the Jays, who were minus George Springer and Bo Bichette for much of the marathon game.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe decision to send in Myles Straw to pinch run and remove Addison Barger from the game was a decision I couldn’t believe at the time. Taking out a game-changer in Barger, who is just as fast as Straw and even better defensively, made no sense.Article contentNobody thought the game was going to go 18 innings, but it made the decision even more frustrating as the game continued into the night and early morning hours.Article contentThe more I see of these two teams, the more I am convinced the Blue Jays are the better all-round club. The three or four big guns on each club balance themselves out, but it’s the depth players that are making the difference.Article contentErnie Clement, who played great last year, Andres Gimenez, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, back-up catcher Tyler Heineman, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Straw have all played well and the bullpen sparkled. The ball four missed call early in the game that allowed the Dodgers to nab Bichette, who thought the pitch was a ball, cost the Jays a run and maybe the game.Article contentArticle contentBut had that not happened, we would not have seen one of the greatest games in World Series history.Article contentChris Bassitt, my favourite Blue Jays starter, has been thrust into a relief role and what a stroke of good fortune for Toronto. Bassitt is crafty, changes speed and usually with great control, and with the movement on his pitches, he could turn out to be the World Series saviour.Article contentIt’s back to Toronto for Games 6 and 7, if necessary. I can’t see the Jays beating L.A. starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 6, but the baseball gods appear to be smiling on the Jays once again. Jays win in seven games.Article contentNFLArticle contentThe NFL heads into Week 9.Article contentDenver (6-2) at Houston (3-4): The Texans played their best game of the year, as did QB C. J. Stroud, in beating San Fran for fun last game. Texans win by four points.Article contentIndy (7-1) at Pittsburgh (4-3): The Steelers’ D played poorly in last week’s home loss to Green Bay and the previous week versus Cincinnati. I don’t think Pittsburgh has ever lost three at home in the Mike Tomlin era, but this is the first.
FIDDLERS FACTS: Most exciting baseball game ever
