LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have the Toronto Blue Jays right where they want them in the World Series: at home for three games in three days. Tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series, the action resumes Monday night with the Dodgers backed by their raucous home fans. The team aims to become the first to win consecutive championships since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000.
Last year, the Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title by defeating the Yankees in New York. However, their only championship won at home was back in 1963 at Dodger Stadium.
Twenty hours after closing the chapter on the Rogers Centre under its closed roof, the Blue Jays took batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Sunday amid hazy skies that partially obscured the San Gabriel Mountains. The team arrived at their hotel early Monday morning around 4 a.m. Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts faced flight delays and did not reach the stadium until 5 p.m.
### Max Scherzer to Start Game 3 for Blue Jays
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, at 41 years and 82 days old, will start Game 3 for Toronto. The Blue Jays are hoping Scherzer can replicate his strong outing in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series when he held the Seattle Mariners to just two runs over 5 2/3 innings.
“Obviously, with age, you don’t have the same stuff. I know they don’t have the same leash on him as he used to have,” Roberts said. “But, man, he’s still a great competitor. It’s still going to be a tough test for us regardless because he wants to beat us really bad.”
Dodger fans have their own memories of Scherzer, not all positive. He was slated to start for Los Angeles in Game 6 of the 2021 National League Championship Series but was scratched late due to arm fatigue. The Dodgers lost that game to the Atlanta Braves and were eliminated.
“I wouldn’t be looking backwards at all for any motivation,” Scherzer said. “I have plenty of motivation. I’m here to win and I’ve got a clubhouse full of guys who want to win, too.”
Scherzer and fellow Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, scheduled to start Game 4, will mark the eighth duo of former Cy Young winners to start consecutive World Series games for the same team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
### Tyler Glasnow to Pitch for Dodgers
Tyler Glasnow will take the mound Monday for the Dodgers. Growing up about 30 miles away in Santa Clarita, Glasnow rooted for the Dodgers and now gets the chance to pitch for his hometown team. This postseason, Glasnow has allowed just one run and seven hits with 18 strikeouts, eight walks, and an impressive 0.68 ERA across three appearances.
“It’s very sentimental and amazing,” Glasnow said. “But I think that’s kind of something I’ll look back on more and focus on and really feel the feelings of it maybe when this is all done. I’m just trying to go to work and do well.”
### Series Challenges and Strategy
Toronto played three consecutive road games in the ALCS against Seattle, winning two and losing one, eventually winning the series in seven games to secure their first World Series appearance since 1993.
“Starting pitching is going to be important for both sides, and guys that can throw multiple innings are going to be important in these next three days,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “But I think especially against this team, you want to try to wear down their starters and get into their ‘pen.”
The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled in September, posting a 5.26 ERA — the third-worst in the National League that month. Their relievers blew multiple late leads and surrendered 12 home runs.
In Game 2, Los Angeles received critical length from starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who became the first pitcher since Mike Clevinger in 2023 to throw consecutive complete games at any point, and the first to do so in the postseason since Curt Schilling in 2001. There hadn’t been a complete game in the World Series since 2015.
“It starts with the starters going deeper,” Roberts said. “Three in a row is very important to vary reliever looks and kind of get the optimum matchups that you can.”
Roberts also mentioned plans to limit hard-throwing rookie Roki Sasaki’s usage to the ninth inning.
### Intensity and Focus
Scherzer’s performance has tapered in recent years as he has battled injuries, but his intensity remains high. Schneider recalled their fiery exchange during the ALCS start when he visited the mound.
“I’m going to try to avoid any mound visits with Max tomorrow,” Schneider said.
### Bo Bichette Returns to Starting Lineup
Toronto’s Bo Bichette will start at second base on Monday. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of Game 2’s 5-1 loss and stayed in the game at second base.
“Felt good coming out of yesterday,” Schneider said. “I think with each day that goes on, he’ll probably get as close to normal as he can at this stage of the year.”
Bichette, a two-time All-Star shortstop, played second base in Friday’s opener, marking his first time at that position since a game at Triple-A in 2019. He went 1-for-2 with a walk in the Dodgers’ 11-4 win in Game 1, his first action since spraining his knee on Sept. 6 against the Yankees.
“I have such respect for him because he’s changing positions right now at this stage where everything is really important,” said Toronto teammate Andrés Giménez, who previously switched from second base to shortstop. “He’s showing that he can play second at a good level. He showed you the other day with the backhand play that was really difficult.”
The stage is set for a thrilling three days at Dodger Stadium as both teams vie to take control of the World Series. Fans can expect fierce competition, strategic pitching, and memorable moments as baseball’s biggest prize hangs in the balance.
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