The Los Angeles Dodgers return to Dodger Stadium for a pivotal Game 3 of the World Series, looking to leverage their home-field advantage against the Toronto Blue Jays. With the series tied 1-1, the stage is set for a high-stakes pitching duel between legendary veteran Max Scherzer and rising star Tyler Glasnow, as both teams vie for control in their quest for a championship.
The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a familiar and advantageous position, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for three consecutive games in the World Series. With the best-of-seven series knotted at one game apiece, the energy at Dodger Stadium is expected to be palpable as the Dodgers aim to become the first team to win consecutive championships since the New York Yankees accomplished the feat from 1998-2000, as documented by MLB.com’s historical records.
Having secured their eighth World Series title last year against the Yankees in New York, the Dodgers are now focused on adding another, particularly significant as their only previous home-field championship triumph at Dodger Stadium was way back in 1963.
Scherzer’s Redemption Arc vs. Glasnow’s Hometown Debut
Game 3 will feature a compelling pitching matchup. The Blue Jays will send three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to the mound. At 41 years and 82 days old, Scherzer aims to replicate his strong outing in Game 4 of the ALCS, where he held the Seattle Mariners to just two runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Scherzer’s evolving game: “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. 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.”
For many Dodger fans, the mention of Max Scherzer conjures a less-than-favorable memory. He was famously a late scratch from Game 6 of the 2021 NLCS due to arm fatigue, a game the Dodgers ultimately lost to the Atlanta Braves, leading to their elimination. Scherzer, however, remains unfazed by the past. “I wouldn’t be looking backwards at all for any motivation,” he asserted. “I have plenty of motivation. I’m here to win and I’ve got a clubhouse full of guys who want to win, too.” His intensity is well-known, with Blue Jays manager John Schneider humorously stating his intention to avoid mound visits with Scherzer in Game 3 after a fiery exchange in the ALCS.
Starting opposite Scherzer for the Dodgers is Tyler Glasnow, a pitcher who grew up just 30 miles away in Santa Clarita, rooting for the team he now represents on baseball’s biggest stage. Glasnow has been stellar this postseason, allowing only one run and seven hits with 18 strikeouts, eight walks, and a 0.68 ERA in three appearances. Despite the personal significance, Glasnow is maintaining focus: “It’s very sentimental and amazing, 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.”
The Blue Jays, fresh off a seven-game ALCS victory against Seattle, are no strangers to grueling road schedules, having played three road games in three days during that series. This experience could be crucial for navigating their current stretch in Los Angeles. Their manager, John Schneider, emphasized the importance of starting pitching, noting, “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.”
Bullpen Battles and Pitcher Velocity Trends
A key area of concern for the Dodgers is their bullpen, which posted a 5.26 ERA in September, ranking third-worst in the NL. Their relievers struggled with blown leads and surrendered 12 home runs. This makes length from starters like Glasnow even more critical. In Game 2, Yoshinobu Yamamoto provided a much-needed complete game, a rarity in modern baseball and the first in the World Series since 2015. Dave Roberts highlighted its importance: “It starts with the starters going deeper. Three in a row is very important to vary reliever looks and kind of get the optimum matchups that you can.” Roberts also stated plans to limit hard-throwing rookie Roki Sasaki’s usage to the ninth inning.
The postseason has seen a dramatic increase in pitching velocity across MLB, with a record 255 pitches of 100 mph or faster this year, a significant jump from 105 last year. Right-handed relievers averaged 96.2 mph with their four-seam fastballs this postseason, up from 93.3 mph in 2008. The Dodgers’ pitchers have averaged 96.2 mph with four-seamers in the postseason, while the Blue Jays’ pitchers averaged 95.1 mph. This trend, while exciting, has also raised concerns about pitcher health, leading MLB to implement new rules mandating recovery time for prospects, a move discussed by Commissioner Rob Manfred, as reported by ESPN.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior attributed this surge to the high stakes: “These are the most significant pitches that anybody’s thrown all year. A lot of it just happens to do with the pressure of these situations, and I think you see it across baseball in the playoffs. Everybody’s stuff ticks up, for the most part.”
Bo Bichette’s Crucial Return and Position Switch
For the Blue Jays, the return of Bo Bichette to the starting lineup at second base in Game 3 is a major boost. Bichette, a two-time All-Star shortstop, made his first appearance at second base in Friday’s opener since a Triple-A game in 2019. He went 1 for 2 with a walk in Game 1, marking his first action since spraining his knee on September 6 against the Yankees.
Blue Jays teammate Andrés Giménez, who has also made a similar position switch, praised Bichette’s adaptability. “I have such respect for him because he’s changing positions right now at this stage where everything is really important,” Giménez said. “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.”
As both teams prepare for the intensity of Game 3, pitching depth and strategic bullpen management will be paramount. The Dodgers will lean on their raucous home crowd and Glasnow’s postseason form, while the Blue Jays will counter with Scherzer’s veteran savvy and a lineup bolstered by Bichette’s return. The stakes couldn’t be higher for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of the World Series.
