Not ready to forecast a sweep for Toronto, but don't expect the Jays to roll over. Rookie Trey Yesevage has had two solid postseason efforts on the mound out of three tries and has 22 Ks while allowing just 11 walks in 15 IP during the playoffs. Toronto's task is to solve Blake Snell, to this point perhaps the playoff MVP with an 0.86 ERA. With the Dodger offense a bit stop-start lately, getting to 8 runs looks a chore.
I might be the biggest Toronto homer in the CBS Sports family. Long, personal story. So I'm definitely rooting for the Jays (but like L.A. in six). Blake Snell has been incredible in these playoffs for the Dodgers, but the Jays have been the best home team in the majors and apparently are getting Bo Bichette back for the first time in several weeks. Toronto was great against lefties in the RS. LA also will be down its best lefty reliever in Alex Vesia for personal reasons. Are you familiar with the term LOOGY? (Not teenage snot-related) Vesia is their main LOOGY, even if one-out pitchers have been diminished with the new rules. Might matter in late innings. And I don't even need a win.
The Dodgers have won their last five playoff games, and all five stayed under the total. So what's going to happen in Game 1 at Toronto? Blake Snell is pitching for the Dodgers, and he provides most of the answers from his recent work. All Snell has done in his last six starts is win, and his last two were on the road in the playoffs, and he didn't allow any runs. He's only allowed three runs in the six-game win streak. He's having an all-time playoff performance. If the Blue Jays can hold the Dodgers bats down just a little, and I believe they will, Snell will do the rest. Under 3.5 in the first five innings is the bet.
The Blue Jays led baseball with a .296 average, 20 home runs, and 66 RBIs in the playoffs while only having 64 strikeouts collectively. But they're about to go against the best pitcher theyтАЩll face, maybe all season, in Blake Snell. HeтАЩs certainly the hottest pitcher they'll face all season, who has won his last six starts, allowing three runs combined with no runs allowed in the playoffs. Both his playoff starts went under the total. In his last six starts, he's had nine or more strikeouts in five of them. Over 6.5 strikeouts is the play.
The thing that matters most right now is the pitching of Blake Snell, who has won his last six starts, allowing a total of three runs. This is why he's a -150 favorite, and it might be cheap based on his current form. This guy is pitching his best of the season, maybe career, and it came at the right time to start the playoffs. Not only Snell, but the entire starting pitching staff of the Dodgers is pitching their best of the season cumulatively for the NLCS, leading into the World Series. Snell hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts, both on the road, and pitched a season-high eight innings in his last game at Milwaukee. Dodgers to win.
The Dodgers once again look like a juggernaut as they head to the World Series. Blake Snell likely takes the mound in game one after throwing 21 innings across three starts this postseason, allowing just six hits and two runs with 27 strikeouts. He also faced Toronto in August and threw five shutout innings with ten strikeouts. The Blue Jays were one of the best offenses this year, especially at home, where their OPS jumped 50 points (.788), so it will be on Snell and the bullpen to come prepared. Regardless of who Toronto starts, I think the Dodgers bats will be ready and at +125 for LA as the away team to win by at least two, I like this angle.
The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
The Dodgers optioned Halvorsen to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
The Blue Jays recalled Bloss from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday and placed him on the 60-day injured list with a right teres major strain, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Springer is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Red Sox.
Okamoto (knee) will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Wednesday's contest against the Red Sox.
The Blue Jays claimed Sewald off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Halvorsen (1-1) earned the win over Kansas City on Tuesday, issuing one walk over one scoreless and hitless inning.
Sosa (wrist) resumed his rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday, going 1-for-2 with a double and a hit-by-pitch.
Betts went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a second RBI and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Royals.
Snell allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10 over six innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Tuesday.
