TORONTO – Given the magnitude of Friday’s game, the Blue Jays were willing to give George Springer the benefit of the doubt.
Springer returned to action, at number one, three days after leaving with lateral discomfort from a swing.
The Blue Jays won Games 4 and 5 of the World Series without the veteran DH.
“The feedback we got from him the last few days helped, and seeing how he was swinging,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before the Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays in Game 6 of the World Series.
“It might be a different story if the season doesn’t have the potential to be just two games. If it had the potential to last another two weeks, maybe a little bit different, but he’s ready to go.”
Springer’s bat had produced the biggest hit of this postseason: a three-run homer against the Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS that capped a comeback that gave the Blue Jays the pennant.
Springer – who went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Friday – entered this postseason with an .884 OPS with four home runs.
Miguel Rojas (0-for-3) received his first start of the series, at second base, while Tommy Edman (1-for-3) moved to center field. It was a second straight game for the Dodgers with Andy Pages on the bench.
“I just really wanted Miggy there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s really been a glue guy for our club this year and I feel like having him in the lineup brings some extra intensity and energy to the lineup, including on the defensive side. I wanted him to be in the lineup and not against anyone else.”
Slumping Mookie Betts (1-for-2, two RBIs) was moved from second to the cleanup and came up with a big hit, while Will Smith (1-for-3, one RBI) found himself in the 2 hole, behind Shohei Ohtani (1-for-3) and ahead of Freddie Freeman (0-for-3).
“I just felt like I wanted those three guys to have an opportunity to step up for Mookie, get on base and let those guys take most of the at-bats,” Roberts said. “That’s kind of the math.”
Before the game, Schneider recalled how he spent his previous Halloween.
“Sitting in my neighbor’s driveway, drinking a beer and handing out candy,” he said. “This is much, much better.”
Schneider said he was not wearing a costume.
“I think Halloween is a made-up holiday anyway,” he said. “I don’t dress up. It’s kind of my least favorite holiday of the year. So if it’s a chance to hang out in the neighborhood and catch a few colds and laugh at some of the costumes, I’m all for it, but I like this costume a lot more.”
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