Blue Jays Focus on Base Runners to Challenge Yamamoto in Crucial Game 6
Toronto – The Toronto Blue Jays face elimination Friday night in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers,and the key to extending their season lies in disrupting Dodgers’ ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto,according to those close to the team. The strategy centers on getting runners on base and “creating traffic” against the dominant right-hander.
Yamamoto has been exceptional throughout the postseason, most recently delivering a complete game masterpiece in Game 2, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out eight. This performance made him the first pitcher as Curt Schilling in 2001 to record back-to-back complete games in the postseason. In that start, Yamamoto utilized his six-pitch arsenal, recovering from an early challenge to retire 20 consecutive Blue Jay batters.
However, the Blue Jays believe putting pressure on Yamamoto is vital. “I think, more importantly, we need to have people on base and put the pressure on a guy like [Yamamoto],” a team representative stated. “He was certainly attacking the strike zone early, and then making guys chase. Whatever they can do, whether it’s knocking a few hits, getting some base runners going, or hopefully his command is a little off and we can manage a few walks.”
The Blue Jays will receive a boost to their lineup with the return of veteran outfielder George Springer, who has been sidelined the past two games due to side discomfort. Springer managed a double off Yamamoto in the first inning of Game 2, but was left stranded.
springer’s postseason pedigree is well-established.He was named the 2017 World Series MVP after leading the Houston Astros to a seven-game victory over the Dodgers. He continued his clutch hitting in this year’s playoffs, delivering a three-run home run in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners to secure Toronto’s pennant.
Former Blue Jay Jose Bautista, who was in attendance for Springer’s ALCS home run, described the atmosphere as electric. “The building felt like it was going to come apart and it was certainly loud in there. What a great moment for him to hit that home run… It was huge.” Bautista, recently inducted into the Blue Jays Ring of Honor, will be present for Game 6 as Toronto attempts to win its first World Series title since 1993.
