LOS ANGELES — The Blue Jays hadn’t given up Wednesday on the idea George Springer could still serve a role for the team in the World Series.
Springer did not play in the Blue Jays’ 6-1 Game 5 win Wednesday night — he departed Monday’s game with side discomfort from a swing — but manager John Schneider wasn’t ruling out an appearance off the bench from the veteran DH/outfielder. The World Series returns to Toronto Friday night with the Jays holding a 3-2 lead.
Springer worked out pregame and hit against velocity, according to Schneider.
“I think he’s better than he expected to feel and better than we expected him to feel, which is saying a lot,” Schneider said.
“If he can pinch hit, I think he will be ready to do that. George has made some significant progress.”
Springer, the team’s leadoff hitter, owns an .884 OPS this postseason.
“He’s had an unbelievable year and I think he’s done a phenomenal job of setting the tone for us, not just at the plate but in the clubhouse and keeping tabs on guys,” Schneider said. “It’s been really fun after a tough year last year for him and us. The production is the production, but I think how he goes about his day to day with everyone in there is just as important.”
Slumping Andy Pages was benched by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, as Enrique Hernández moved to center field and Alex Call started in left and went 0-or-2 with a walk.
Pages entered the day with a dismal .215 OPS this postseason.
Hernández homered in the third for the Dodgers’ lone run.
With an “all hands on deck” mentality once the series shifts to Toronto for Game 6 (and potentially a seventh game), Roberts indicated Shohei Ohtani would be available to return to the mound.
The right-hander started Tuesday’s Game 4 and allowed four earned runs over six innings.
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