Dodgers and Blue Jays discuss what makes Shohei Ohtani a special player
USA TODAY Sports caught up with members of the Dodgers and Blue Jays ahead of the World Series to discuss the unique talents of Shoehi Ohtani .
Sports Pulse
TORONTO – It’s just his second season in the major leagues, yet Yoshinobu Yamamoto has already crafted a significant position within the Los Angeles Dodgers’ universe.
He is their safe space, a guy who can be relied upon to extract them from delicate situations, whether it’s extending their season by winning the decisive Game 5 of the 2024 National League Division Series, or prevailing in five of the six playoff games he’s started.
In World Series Game 2, he won’t be asked to save their chances at a repeat World Series title. But the Dodgers also know it’s a difficult ask to climb out of a 2-0 hole against the suffocating Toronto Blue Jays.
That’s his task as the Series wraps up the first leg at Rogers Centre, opposed by veteran right-hanger Kevin Gausman.
The Blue Jays pounded 14 hits in Game 1, prevailing 11-4. They will be motivated to seize command, given that their bullpen may be extended given the complexion of their rotation and games on three consecutive days when the Series shifts to Los Angeles.
But first, Yamamoto, is hoping to tame a red-hot offense.
“That’s an aggressive-hitting team,” says Dodgers manager Dave Roberts before Game 2. Yamamoto has multiple ways to access the hitting zone.
“It’s a cat-and-mouse. That’s the game within the game.”
What time is World Series game tonight?
First pitch in Game 2 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
What channel is World Series on? How to watch Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 2
Watch World Series LIVE on Fubo
Dodgers lineup todayShohei Ohtani (L) DHMookie Betts (R) SSFreddie Freeman (L) 1BWill Smith (R) CTeoscar Hernández (R) RFMax Muncy (L) 3BEnrique Hernández (R) LFTommy Edman (S) 2BAndy Pages (R) CFBlue Jays lineup todayGeorge Springer (R) DHNathan Lukes (L) LFVladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1BAlejandro Kirk (R) CDaulton Varsho (L) CFErnie Clement (R) 3BAddison Barger (L) RFIsiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2BAndrés Giménez (L) SS
Pitchers (12): LHP Anthony Banda, LHP Jack Dreyer, RHP Tyler Glasnow, RHP Edgardo Henriquez, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Will Klein, RHP Roki Sasaki, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Position, two-way players (14): SS Mookie Betts, OF Alex Call, OF Justin Dean, INF/OF Tommy Edman, 1B Freddie Freeman, INF/OF Kiké Hernández, OF Teoscar Hernández, INF/OF Hyeseong Kim, 3B Max Muncy, DH/P Shohei Ohtani, OF Andy Pages, INF Miguel Rojas, C Ben Rortvedt, C Will Smith.
Pitchers (12): RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Shane Bieber, RHP Seranthony Dominguez, RHP Braydon Fisher, LHP Mason Fluharty, RHP Kevin Gausman, RHP Jeff Hoffman, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Brendon Little, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Louis Varland, RHP Trey Yesavage.
Position players (14): C Tyler Heineman, C Alejandro Kirk, INF/OF Addison Barger, INF Bo Bichette, INF Ernie Clement, INF Ty France, INF Andrés Giménez, INF Vladimir Guerrero Jr., INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Nathan Lukes, OF Davis Schneider, OF George Springer, OF Myles Straw, OF Daulton Varsho.
MLB announced the umpires and full schedule for the crew chosen to call this year’s World Series. Mark Wegner has been designated as crew chief for the first time. It’s his third World Series overall overall during a 25-year career.
Here’s how the umpires will line up for Game 2:
Home plate: Adrian JohnsonFirst base: John TumpaneSecond base: Alan Porter (crew chief)Third base: Adam HamariLeft field: Jordan BakerRight field: Will LittleReserve: Mark Wegner