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TORONTO – Not only are the Blue Jays returning home for Game 6 of the World Series carrying all the momentum in the world after a downright legendary performance by Trey Yesavage, they also have history on their side. When the Blue Jays went back-to-back for the franchise’s first and only two world championships from 1992-93, both were won in Game 6. By now, we’ve all seen the countless replays of the ‘93 title victory, which Joe Carter clinched by creating one of the greatest moments in sports with a walk-off home run against the Phillies. So, the fact that the Blue Jays find themselves back in the Fall Classic for another Game 6 sets the stage for a storybook finish. To achieve another happy ending this time around, though, Toronto’s lineup must find a way to conquer the massive challenge standing in the way that is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who completely shut them down in Game 2 by tossing a one-run gem, his second consecutive complete game this postseason. “A very, very elite guy had a great game,” Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer said after Game 2. “When he’s on his game like that, he’s hard to score off of, as we’ve seen from him all year.” The Dodgers have thrown four starters in this Series that would likely challenge for the No. 1 spot in the rotation of 29 other teams in baseball. The Blue Jays have found a way to break through against Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and even Shohei Ohtani, to a certain extent. Yamamoto, however, truly tamed this pesky offense, getting through nine innings on just 105 pitches. For the Blue Jays to overcome this tall task, their offense needs to do what it does best: Exhaust the opposing pitcher with long at-bats and put the ball in play. There was some of that against Yamamoto in Game 2 with 11 groundouts and three flyouts, but the right-hander also struck out eight and was on cruise control for most of the night, retiring his final 20 batters. If the Blue Jays are going to get to Yamamoto, one key will be to find a way to limit the strikeouts. A quick look at the numbers shows Yamamoto has fared significantly better this year in games where he’s recorded six or more strikeouts as opposed to games with five or fewer. Yamamoto in games with 6+ strikeouts (playoffs included) 37 games 227 1/3 innings 6.14 innings per start 1.94 ERA 0.86 WHIP 32.4% K rate 6.5% BB rate 0.55 HR/9 Yamamoto in games with five or fewer strikeouts (playoffs included) 19 games 83 2/3 innings 4.40 innings per start 4.52 ERA 1.37 WHIP 17.5% K rate 9.4% BB rate 1.29 HR/9 If you look at Yamamoto’s one “bad” start this postseason against the Phillies, when he allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over four innings, you’ll see that Philadelphia remained steadfast in its approach to not chase his curveball and splitter, the two wipeout pitches in his arsenal. This resulted in only two strikeouts and far fewer swings and misses. If the Blue Jays can lay off the curveball and splitter, they will have a much better shot than they did in Game 2. Of course, that’s easier said than done, as Yamamoto is riding his own momentum and usually has supreme command of both those pitches in the zone when needed. “Man, hopefully he’s a little tired after throwing that many innings,” said manager John Schneider. “He’s unique because he’s got what seems like six or seven pitches and can kind of morph into different pitchers as the game goes on. You’ve got to be stubborn. You have to be ready to hit, and you have to be stubborn with what kind of swings you’re taking. That’s what it comes down to.”
