Blue Jays vs Dodgers: Starting Lineup - World Series Game 5 Preview

The World Series is all tied up at two games a piece after the Blue Jays got to Shohei Ohtani, who surrendered four runs in six innings of work last night in a 6-2 victory for Toronto.

That puts the Dodgers on the back foot somewhat, as they enter Game 5 needing a win to avoid leaving their home turf on the verge of elimination heading to Rogers Centre.

Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage is on the bump versus Dodgers lefty Blake Snell for the second time in this Series. First pitch is at 8:00 PM ET on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and FOX.

George Springer is still not in the Blue Jays starting lineup as he is still recovering from «right side tightness», but will be able to hit off of the bench in a pinch hit situation according to John Schneider.

With a travel day on Thursday, John Schneider is trying to give him at least an extra day of recovery to maximize Springer's health with game six and potentially seven on the horizon.

The Dodgers made some changes in game 5, moving Will Smith up to second in the lineup, sitting slumping Andy Pages, sliding Kike Hernandez over to CF and inserting Alex Call into LF for World Series versus the Blue Jays.

The rookie sensation just keeps getting thrown into the biggest games of the season, so how about the biggest Blue Jays game since 1993?

Trey Yesavage (1-0, 3.21 ERA), who started the season in Single-A, now has an opportunity to pitch the Blue Jays to within one win of a World Series title, and he'll get the challenge of not only the Dodgers, but the Dodger Stadium crowd in his first road start of this postseason.

Last time out, Yesavage allowed two runs over four innings with five strikeouts.

He walked three batters, though, which he needs to limit against a lineup that can break a game open at any time.

Blake Snell (5-4, 2.35 ERA) will get another crack at the Blue Jays after they handed him his worst start of this postseason, tagging him for five runs in five-plus innings in Game 1 at Rogers Centre.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner was dominant in three prior starts, holding opponents to two runs in 21 innings (0.86 ERA) with 28 strikeouts against five walks and six hits.

After joining the Dodgers on a five-year, $182 million deal this past offseason, Snell missed four months with a shoulder injury but rounded into his best form at the right time upon his return.

Thanks to Shane Bieber, this bullpen feels like it's back to «normal» again, or as close to normal as it could be after Monday's 18-inning game.

By opening up their lead in the seventh inning, the Blue Jays were able to avoid using key arms like Seranthony Dominguez and Jeff Hoffman.

Louis Varland pitched again, but given that he's pitched in nearly every game this postseason, he's the one reliever the Blue Jays would be open to pitching three days in a row if Game 5 calls for it.

There will still be some gassed relievers like Mason Fluharty and Chris Bassitt, who have pitched back-to-back games, but the Blue Jays have to be extremely pleased with Tuesday night allowing them to hit the «reset» button.

George Springer left Game 3 with «right side tightness» and was left out of the Game 4 lineup, but will be able to hit off of the bench in a pinch hit situation in game 5 according to John Schneider.

Bo Bichette's left knee sprain had been looming over this team, but he was activated for the World Series and has played in each game.

Game 3 saw him exit after a seventh-inning single, which seems to be the strategy. If the Blue Jays are leading, he's removed late for defense.

When they've been winning, he's been lifted after reaching base late in the game.

Anthony Santander was removed from the Blue Jays' ALCS roster in the middle of the series with a back injury, which makes him ineligible for the World Series.