As the Fall Classic continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on today in the world of baseball:
1. Game 3 of the World Series is a long inning:
The Blue Jays lost to the Dodgers last night in heartbreaking fashion freddie freeman In the 18th inning, Los Angeles hit a walk-off home run to end the game 6-5. The game is now tied with the 18-inning game between the Red Sox and Dodgers as the longest in World Series history, which also ended with a home run at Dodger Stadium. As both teams prepare for a crucial Game 4 tonight at 5 pm local time, starting pitching will be more important than ever after a game in which both bullpens had empty tanks.
Shohei Ohtani With a 2.87 ERA, he will take the mound tonight in Los Angeles, making his first start since a ten-strikeout, three-homer game against the Brewers that was widely hailed as the greatest individual performance in a postseason game in MLB history. His opponent will be right-handed Sean Bieber (3.57 ERA), gave up four runs in 9 2/3 innings in two starts during the ALCS.
2. Jays and Springer are waiting for MRI results:
From Toronto’s perspective, one shadow loomed over last night’s game, even before the devastating loss, and that was the veteran slugger’s status George Springer. Springer, one of the most impactful hitters in postseason history, exited last night’s game for reasons currently described by the team “Discomfort on the right side.” The diagnosis immediately brought to mind concerns about an oblique injury, which would certainly have brought an abrupt end to Springer’s season if the MRI had confirmed it. Springer was tested before last night’s game ended, and we should know more about his status before Game 4 later today. If Springer is out, the silver lining is putting Beau Bichette Being at DH would allow the Jays to use him more aggressively than they currently do by avoiding losses incurred by the defense.
3. The coaching staff changes according to the game:
While the Dodgers and Blue Jays continue to compete for the Commissioner’s Trophy, the rest of the league is already in offseason mode. While much of the focus is currently on the front office search and subsequent hiring, there have been some coaching changes around the league. Just yesterday, the Mets brought in a new hitting coach while parting ways with their first base coach, while the Pirates hired their next pitching coach. There are many other coaching vacancies around the league, but one team in particular to watch is the Guardians, with associate manager Craig Albernaz taking over as head coach of the Orioles and major league field coordinator Kai Correa leaving to become the Mets’ next bench coach.
