MLB

Kirk was plunked in the hand to lead off the ninth inning, and while he wasn’t likely to stay in the game anyway because of lack of speed, he was removed from the contest. It’s likely just a precautionary measure, but this would be a massive loss for Toronto as Kirk has been one of their most important players during their impressive postseason run. If he can’t start, Tyler Heineman would likely be behind the plate.

Ohtani will be working on three days rest after throwing 93 pitches against Toronto in Game 4 of the series. Roberts also said that every pitcher will be available outside of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw six innings in the Game 6 win. That includes Tyler Glasnow; the presumed starter for Saturday’s game but was needed to record the save Friday. Max Scherzer will start for the Blue Jays in the winner-take-all contest.

Springer drove in the only run of the game on a line drive to center on a 3-0 pitch from an otherwise-effective Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He also picked up a single in the ninth on a dribbler that just got past Freddie Freeman. After missing the previous two games with his side discomfort, Springer didn’t exactly look spry, but healthy enough that he’ll almost assuredly hit at the top of the order against the Dodgers in Game 7 come Saturday.

In case of emergency, break Glasnow. With runners on second-and-third with no outs, Glasnow was able to get Ernie Clement to pop up meekly to Freddie Freeman, and then he induced a double play on a lineout and a horrific baserunning mistake by Addison Barger. All of that happened in just three pitches, so there’s a very good chance that Glasnow will still be the starter against Max Scherzer in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday.

Betts extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0 with a two-run single in the third off Kevin Gausman. He also drew a walk. It has not been a great postseason for the 33-year-old star, as seen in a .657 OPS over October, but that hit — and the Dodgers’ pitching — now has Los Angeles just a win away from back-to-back championships. He’ll

Let’s do seven. Yamamoto wasn’t as dominant as his sensational Game 2 start, but that’s more compliment to that outing than insult to this one. The 27-year-old gave up just one run on a 3-0 pitch he left in the middle of the plate to George Springer for a run-scoring single. He did have to wiggle out of some james, but wiggle out he did. It seems very unlikely that Yamamoto will be available for Sunday’s Game 7, but his impressive regular season campaign and spectacular postseason will make him one of the first pitchers off the board come 2026 draft time.

Gausman allowed all three runs in the third inning on an RBI double by Will Smith and a two-run single by Mookie Betts. Outside of that frame the right-hander pitched well, but that was more than enough offense for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers. Gausman picked up losses in both of his World Series starts, but he pitched well enough to win. The 34-year-old will likely make his next appearance at or near the top of the Toronto rotation in 2026, as there’s one more year left on his contract.

Espinal could elect free agency, or he can compete for a spot with the Reds in spring training. The 30-year-old hit 243/.292/.282 over 114 at-bats with Cincinnati in 2025.

Darnell underwent season-ending hip surgery at the end of August and the Rockies did not add him back to the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old will compete for a bullpen spot with Pittsburgh this spring, assuming good health, of course.

With their backs up against the wall and looking to stave off elimination, Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts has opted to shake up his lineup a bit. Miguel Rojas will start at second base while Tommy Edman will move out to center field. Here’s the full lineup that the Dodgers will send out against Jays’ right-hander Kevin Gausman: Shohei Ohtani (DH), Will Smith (C), Freddie Freeman (1B), Betts (SS), Teoscar Hernández (RF), Max Muncy (3B), Kiké Hernandez (LF), Tommy Edman (CF) and Miguel Rojas (2B).