George

Springer

Springer has led off and served as a DH in both of his games this spring. That should be mostly how he’s employed in the regular season, too, though he can still play some outfield when needed.

Judge takes home a silver slugger for the fifth time in his career. He joins Byron Buxton and Riley Greene in the outfield in taking home the award. The full list of winners: Cal Raleigh (C), Nick Kurtz (1B), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), Bobby Witt Jr. (SS), José Ramírez (3B), Judge (OF), Buxton (OF) and Greene (OF) and George Springer (DH).

Springer led off the home half of the first inning with a single but was ultimately cut down attempting to steal second base — after confusion over whether or not Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had walked or struck out. He then led off the third inning with a single and rode home on Bo Bichette’s epic three-run blast. He also singled in the fourth inning. The dynamic 36-year-old finishes the postseason hitting .284/.347/.552 with four homers and 10 RBI in 67 at-bats.

Springer has been playing through a laundry list of physical issues this postseason, but he’s atop Toronto’s lineup as the calendar flips to November for the most important contest for the franchise in over three decades. Alejandro Kirk is a full-go for the winner-take-all showdown at the Rogers Centre after being plunked on the left hand during the ninth inning of Game 6. Here’s the full lineup set to face Dodgers superstar Shoei Ohtani and company: Springer (DH), Nathan Lukes (LF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Bo Bichette (2B), Addison Barger (RF), Kirk (C), Daulton Varsho (CF), Ernie Clement (3B) and Andrés Giménez (SS).

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.

The 36-year-old slugger missed each of the previous two games — both Blue Jays’ road victories — due to discomfort in his right side. He’ll serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff against Dodgers’ right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Friday evening. Here’s the full lineup the Jays will use as they attempt to close out their first World Series Championship since 1993: Springer (DH), Nathan Lukes (LF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Bo Bichette (2B), Daulton Varsho (CF), Alejandro Kirk (C), Addison Barger (RF), Ernie Clement (3B) and Andrés Giménez (SS).

Springer was sidelined for two consecutive Fall Classic contests out in Los Angeles due to right side discomfort. Schneider added that he was close to starting Game 5 on Wednesday night before noting that he’s “checked every box physically so far.” The 36-year-old’s return would provide a significant lift for the top of Toronto’s lineup as they attempt to close out the World Series at the Rogers Centre and bring home the club’s first championship in 32 years.

Springer was able to run in the outfield and hit off a velocity machine, and Blue Jays manager John Schneider has insinuated that Springer will be available off the bench. The 36-year-old will sit with Bo Bichette the designated hitter, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second base. Nathan Lukes will also sit against southpaw Blake Snell with Davis Schneider leading off in left field. The full lineup for Toronto: Davis Schneider LF, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B, Bo Bichette DH, Alejandro Kirk C, Daulton Varsho CF, Ernie Clement 3B, Addison Barger RF Kiner-Falefa 2B, and Andrés Giménez at SS.

The Dodgers lineup has about out for another a half hour, but the Jays might be holding off to see if Springer can DH. Of course, running isn’t the real issue with Springer; it’s all about whether he can swing the bat.

Springer wasn’t able to swing well enough before the game to return to the lineup after leaving Game 3 with right side discomfort. The 36-year-old veteran could be available off the bench to pinch-hit in a key spot, based on the tone of Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s pregame comments, though that’s far from a certainty. Nathan Lukes has been moved up to the leadoff spot in his absence with Bo Bichette taking over at DH and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second base as Toronto faces Dodger superstar Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Here’s the full lineup: Lukes (LF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Bichette (DH), Addison Barger (RF), Alejandro Kirk (C), Daulton Varsho (CF), Ernie Clement (3B), Andrés Giménez (SS) and Kiner-Falefa (2B).