TORONTO — Given the magnitude of Friday’s game, the Blue Jays were willing to give George Springer the benefit of the doubt.
Springer returned to action, in the leadoff spot, three days after departing with side discomfort from a swing.
The Blue Jays won Games 4 and 5 of the World Series without the veteran DH.
“The feedback we got from him in the last couple days helped, and watching him swing,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before the Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays in Game 6 of the World Series.
“It’s maybe a different story if the season doesn’t have the potential to just be two games. If it had the potential to be another two weeks, maybe a little bit different, but he’s ready to go.”
Springer’s bat had produced the biggest hit of this postseason: a three-run homer against the Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS that capped a comeback that gave the Blue Jays the pennant.
Springer — who was 2-for-4 with an RBI on Friday — entered play with an .884 OPS this postseason with four homers.
Miguel Rojas (0-for-3) received his first start of the series, at second base, as Tommy Edman (1-for-3) shifted to center field. It was a second straight game for the Dodgers with Andy Pages on the bench.
“I just really wanted Miggy in there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s been really a glue guy for our club this year and I just feel having him in the lineup infuses some extra intensity, energy into the lineup — on the defensive side, too. I wanted him to be in the lineup and nothing against anybody else.”
Slumping Mookie Betts (1-for-2, two RBIs) was moved from second to cleanup and came up with a big hit, while Will Smith (1-for-3, one RBI) inserted into the No. 2 hole, behind Shohei Ohtani (1-for-3) and ahead of Freddie Freeman (0-for-3).
“I just felt that I wanted those three guys to have a chance to get on for Mookie, get on base and have those guys take the most at-bats,” Roberts said. “That’s kind of the math a little bit.”
Schneider recalled before the game how he had spent his previous Halloween.
“Sitting at my neighbor’s driveway, drinking a beer and giving out candy,” he said. “This is way, way better.”
Schneider said he didn’t wear a costume.
“I think Halloween’s a made-up holiday anyway,” he said. “I don’t dress up. It’s kind of like my least favorite holiday of the year. So, if it’s a chance to hang out in the neighborhood and have a couple cold ones and laugh at some costumes, I’m all for it, but I like this costume a lot better.”
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