Dodgers vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - World Series Game 2 Preview
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays look to take a 2-0 lead versus the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the Fall Classic at Rogers Centre.
Of all the things written and said about the Blue Jays in the aftermath of their 11-4 thumping of the defending champion Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, the words of outfielder Nathan Lukes might have best summed up the tone of his Toronto team.
«We're not gonna take it lightly,» he said of this opportunity, «and we're gonna be a pain in the ass.»
The Dodgers probably agreed with that sentiment after taking one on the chin in an opener that altered the narrative of this Series and only enlivened a hungry Canadian crowd all the more.
Though L.A. entered as a heavy favorite, now some doubt has crept in going into Game 2 on Saturday night at Rogers Centre.
Teams going down 2-0 on the road to start a best-of-seven postseason series have come back to win that series just 11 times in 57 tries (19.3%).
Blue Jays Veteran Kevin Gausman is on the bump versus Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. First pitch is at 8:08 PM ET on Sportsnet and FS1.
Toronto Blue Jays World Series Game 2 Starting Lineup
1. DH George Springer
2. LF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
4. C Alejandro Kirk
5. CF Daulton Varsho
6. 3B Ernie Clement
7. RF Addison Barger
8. 2B Isiah Kiner-Falefa
9. SS Andres Gimenez
SP Kevin Gausman
2. LF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
4. C Alejandro Kirk
5. CF Daulton Varsho
6. 3B Ernie Clement
7. RF Addison Barger
8. 2B Isiah Kiner-Falefa
9. SS Andres Gimenez
SP Kevin Gausman
World Series Starting Pitchers Overview
Gausman, 34, started Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and Games 1 and 5 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.
He additionally appeared in the seventh inning of Game 7 against the Mariners, earning the win after working around three walks for a scoreless frame.
Over 18 total post-season innings, Gausman holds a 2.00 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP, 12 strikeouts and nine walks. He has allowed two home runs.
The 13-year veteran reemerged as the Blue Jays' ace during the regular season, when he posted a 10-11 record with a 3.59 ERA while striking out 189 over a career-high 193 innings.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto's been just as dominant this postseason, sporting a 1.83 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 18 strikeouts, four walks, and only two homers allowed.
The 27-year-old has given up two or fewer earned runs in five of his seven career playoff starts.
Game 2 will be Yamamoto's first career start against the Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays Bullpen
Jeff Hoffman looks like a closer capable of shutting down games in the World Series, which wasn't always the case in the regular season.
He came up huge in Games 6 and 7 of the ALCS, and John Schneider is comfortable pushing him two innings in the right spot.
Louis Varland has pitched in 10 of the Blue Jays' 11 postseason games, so it's just a matter of which inning you'll see him in, while Seranthony Dominguez is the other setup man.
One variable is Brendon Little, who had an ugly outing in the Game 5 ALCS loss, but the Blue Jays will need a lefty eventually.
One of Braydon Fisher or Mason Fluharty could be asked to step into bigger spots, too, while Bassitt and Eric Lauer are the likely long relievers.
The Canadian anthem will be performed by Alessia Cara, who was born in Mississauga and grew up nearby in Brampton.
The American anthem will be performed by Bebe Rexha.
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