After defeating the Blue Jays 3-1 to force a game 7 in Toronto, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will start game 7 on the mound.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Dodgers closer Roki Sasaki gave up a ground rule double to Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger, which gave the Blue Jays runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs in the bottom of the 9th.
Roberts decided to pull Sasaki in favor of starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow. 3 pitches later, the game was over after Glasnow forced Ernie Clement to pop out, and then Kiké Hernandez caught a shallow fly ball from Andres Gimenez and threw out Barger at 2nd base to complete an epic game-clinching double play.
This double play was not just an incredible catch and throw by Kiké, but also an incredible play by second baseman Miguel Rojas, who somehow managed to hold onto the ball to secure the final out.
In a postgame interview with Ken Rosenthal, Kiké detailed the process of the play, noting that the scouting card actually told him to play further back, but he decided to play closer to prevent the runners from scoring.
Grab This Custom-Designed Shohei Ohtani T-Shirt!
He then admitted he could not see the ball in the lights, but he heard the bat break, so he charged forward, and at the last second, he found the ball, making the catch and ultimately throwing to second base for the game’s final out.
All Hands On Deck For Los Angeles Dodgers
Roberts pushed all the right buttons in Game 6. Moving Mookie Betts down to 4th in the batting order paid dividends as Mookie hit a key 2-run single to give the Dodgers a 3-run lead in the 3rd inning. Roberts also decided to bench struggling outfielder Andy Pages, moving Tommy Edman to center field, and putting veteran infielder Miguel Rojas at 2nd base, who made several key plays throughout the game.
Pulling Sasaki in the bottom of the 9th for Glasnow turned out to be Roberts’ smartest move as Glasnow picked up his first career save to send this series to a 7th game.
It is important to note that if Ohtani were used as a reliever, he would have to leave the game as a batter, which is a major reason why Ohtani will be tonight’s starting pitcher, so he can both pitch and hit for game 7.
Check Out Our Los Angeles Dodgers Forum!
Roberts says all hands will be on deck for tonight, and even Yamamoto could potentially be available despite starting yesterday.
The current plan appears to be for Ohtani to go 3-4 innings, then have Glasnow pitch the next 3-4 innings, and then have Snell, Sasaki, and Yamamoto available to finish the game.
There are no two words better in all of sports: Game 7. This will be one of the most exciting, highly anticipated matchups in baseball history as Ohtani and future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer face off in Toronto for this epic clash.
Get your popcorn ready because this is going to be one of the great baseball games ever played.
