After getting shut down offensively in Game 2 of the World Series, Toronto will get an important bat back in the lineup tonight. Bo Bichette will draw the start at second base for Game 3, batting fourth. “[He] felt good coming out of yesterday,” manager John Schneider told reporters on Sunday, including David Singh of Sportsnet. “I think with each day that goes on, he’ll probably get as close to normal as he can at this stage of the year.”
Bichette made his long-awaited return in Game 1 after missing close to two months with a knee injury. He singled on a 3-0 pitch in his first at-bat. Bichette began Toronto’s game-breaking sixth inning, drawing a walk against Blake Snell to lead off the inning. Isiah Kiner-Falefa replaced him on the bases and came around to score the go-ahead run. Toronto would go on to tag Snell and two relievers with nine runs in the frame.
It was Kiner-Falefa, not Bichette, who drew the start at second base in Game 2. Bichette grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. He played a couple of innings in the field in relief of Kiner-Falefa. “Seven weeks is a long layoff, so you don’t want to just go back to 100 percent,” Schneider told reporters, including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, regarding Bichette’s usage.
Bichette is playing second base for the first time at the professional level since 2019 at Triple-A. The early returns have been acceptable, as Bichette has handled the few chances he’s had so far. Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that Toronto is adjusting their infield strategy to support him. The team is having shortstop Andres Gimenez and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shade closer to Bichette to provide extra coverage. “I think the positioning part of it plays a big component,” Schneider told Bannon.
Toronto hasn’t had an error in either game of the World Series. They were a middling defense during the regular season, ranking 18th in fielding percentage. The Blue Jays had the 12th-most errors. Kiner-Falefa is known for his defensive ability and is capable of handling multiple infield positions. While he did go 5-for-15 in the ALCS, the utilityman is hitless so far against the Dodgers. Getting Bichette’s bat in the mix will be a boost, especially after Yoshinobu Yamamoto silenced the lineup on Saturday. Kiner-Falefa is a candidate to replace Bichette on the bases or in the field in a late-game situation.
The Blue Jays will send Max Scherzer to the bump on Monday. Schneider is expecting the same intensity he showed in Game 4 of the ALCS. “Wonder how many coaches he’ll knock over tonight,” Schneider told reporters, including Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The fiery right-hander had a handful of animated moments during his last outing, a near-quality start against Seattle. Scherzer allowed two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win and knot the series at 2-2.
Scherzer’s appearance for Toronto tonight will make him the first player to pitch for four different teams in the World Series, per MLB. The 40-year-old also made Fall Classic starts for Detroit, Washington, and Texas, winning the title with the latter two teams.
Scherzer came into the postseason in a rut, giving up 17 earned runs over 15 innings to close the regular season. He did not make the ALDS roster, with Schneider citing the matchup against the Yankees as the reason for the veteran’s omission. Scherzer tossed a quality start in his lone appearance against the Dodgers this season, holding them to two earned runs over six innings in early September.
I expect another flawless game defensively… Scherzer’s hits tend to be up up and away
I hope I’m wrong but I think Mad Max gets rocked tonight.
5-6IP less that 3ER
I’ll take it. Hope you’re right.
“middling defense”.. jays had 4th best defense in DRS in the majors.. It’s not 1985. We go beyond fielding percentage these days Charlie.
The Jays have some good defenders(Giminez, Varsho, Clenent) but they also have some atrocious fielders. Bo has zero range even fully healthy, Springer shouldn’t own a glove, Vladdy isn’t exactly athletic nor is Kirk. When you add up their above average fielders and subtract their below average fielders they are pretty mediocre.
Incredible bad take.
Gimenez, Varsho and Clement are all top defenders in the sport! They aren’t just “good”… Kirk is also one of the best defensive catchers in MLB.
Springer hasn’t owned a glove pretty much all season. And Vlad is a solid defender at 1B again, after a couple of bad years.
They are 4th best in MLB, as I said
Kirk is very good defensively Vlad is not bad himself both nominated for GG’s this year which can be misleading but your athletic comment in terms of their defense is just wrong. George has pretty much been a DH this year. Clement leads all of baseball in dWAR. Your whole valuation is wrong except for Bo.
also #1 ranked in defense at Fangraphs
Bo’s bat is always welcome. With Gimenez and Vlad a step closer, and IKF waiting on the bench it looks like the Jays have the bases covered
I think this is the third or fourth Jays story since the World Series rosters were announced. Hmm.
@BlueSkies_LA
Not to worry. There’ll be half a dozen stories about the Dodgers when they sign Tucker this offseason ;o)
10 years 5 bucks with a billon deferred sounds about right for the Dodgers way
Clearly MLBTR is nationalistically-biased.
There are only to teams left, what do you expect?
My multiverse Max is 41. The one where Toronto has him at age 36 37 they win world series.
lol I’ve never heard the term “near quality start”. What’s that like a 6.00 ERA?
Come on Blue Jays. We’re all hoping you beat the new super team. Fu*k the dodgers
The Dodgers are a stain on the sport. There can’t be teams constructed like this with all MVP candidates and Cy Young candidates one after another. To prevent this end massively deferred contracts, regulate international signings more, and above all put in a salary cap and salary floor for all MLB teams.
Okay boomer.
Okay gramps