Late-night parties often come with consequences, and on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers learned the hard way about the next-day costs. Just 17 hours after their grueling 18-inning marathon in Game 3 of the World Series, both the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays appeared to struggle with energy early Tuesday evening. Their offenses were lackluster, their starting pitchers delivered methodical outings, and the emotional battery of both teams, along with the packed crowd at Dodger Stadium, seemed to be running on low power.
Despite the sluggish start, the team fighting for their postseason life managed to rally, leading to a 6-2 victory for the Blue Jays in Game 4 at Chavez Ravine. This win not only tied the World Series at 2-2 but also ensured that the Blue Jays would return home for Game 6 on Friday. Key to their success was a pivotal two-run homer from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third inning, followed by a four-run rally in the seventh inning against a fatigued and struggling Dodgers bullpen. “We knew it was going to be a great series,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “This team is talented, they’re resilient ... and they came back fighting.”
Monday had felt like a potential death blow for the Blue Jays. They lost the marathon game, giving up control of the series when Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run just before midnight. Adding to their woes, they suffered the loss of star slugger George Springer to a side injury, and their bullpen was nearly exhausted, a stark contrast to the Dodgers' fresh arms. However, Blue Jays manager John Schneider remained optimistic, stating, “The Dodgers didn’t win the World Series today, they won a game. These guys are going to be ready to go tomorrow.”
On Tuesday, the Blue Jays leaned into their strengths, showcasing their hitting prowess and landing significant blows to shift the series momentum. They are known for their ability to stage comebacks, a skill that became evident once again as they put pressure back on the Dodgers. While the Dodgers still hold the advantage in starting pitching with Blake Snell set to take the mound in Game 5 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto lined up for Game 6, the specter of a potential Game 7 looms large, especially given the inconsistencies of the Dodgers' offense.
One of the most remarkable performances came from Shohei Ohtani, who faced the challenge of starting on the mound for the first time in a World Series game. Coming off an exhausting Game 3 where he reached base a postseason-record nine times, Ohtani was not as overpowering on Tuesday, with his fastball clocking in at a modest 96-97 mph. Nevertheless, he struck out six batters and retired 11 out of 12 at one point, although he was ultimately charged with four earned runs over six-plus innings.
In the third inning, Ohtani made a critical mistake, allowing Guerrero Jr. to hit a go-ahead two-run homer. “Just a regrettable pitch,” Ohtani reflected. He encountered further difficulties in the seventh, leading to a four-run inning for the Blue Jays, exacerbated by the Dodgers' relievers giving up multiple runs in critical situations. “They do a good job of battling tough pitches,” remarked reliever Blake Treinen, acknowledging the Blue Jays' knack for capitalizing on mistakes.
The Dodgers' primary issue has been their inconsistent offense, managing just three runs over their last 20 innings. Ohtani could not spark the lineup, finishing hitless in three at-bats. Mookie Betts continues to struggle, batting a mere .147 over his last eight games. The Dodgers' inability to hit in crucial situations has been a persistent problem, as evidenced by their .214 team batting average throughout the series. Third baseman Max Muncy expressed frustration, stating, “We’re missing on the big opportunities, myself included.”
As the Dodgers prepare for Game 5, they find themselves in a precarious position following a reality-check loss. “It’s a grind,” said catcher Will Smith. “It’s two really good ballclubs going at it. Had a long game last night. They got us today. So come out tomorrow, and try to go ahead in the series.” With the stakes as high as ever, both teams will need to bring their best as they continue this thrilling World Series battle.