It’s a First, a Canada-California World Series with Dodgers Opposing the Blue Jays
From Walk-off Homers to Unforgettable Comebacks, the Fall Classic Has Delivered Some of Baseball’s Most Iconic Moments.
Legendary Endings That Defined the Fall Classic
If it’s fall, then it stands to reason it’s time to play the Fall Classic. Thus, the 121st MLB World Series starting with the American League-champion Toronto Blue Jays hosting the National League-champ Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a best-of-seven, with two games north of the border, three in California and the final two back in Canada (the fifth, sixth and seventh games are ‘if necessary’).
There are travel days between the changes of venue built into the World Series schedule, the last possible game Nov. 1st (subject to change due to weather or some other happenstance).
Of course, since the Dodgers are the defending titlists, they are solid favorites to win it again (more about that below). LA;s after a ninth championship, Toronto is trying to win its third. It’s been a long time between drinks with the Ontarians. Toronto hasn’t sniffed a World Series appearance since consecutive titles in 1992-93.
In the MLB playoffs, LA disposed of the Cincinnati Reds two games (best-of-three) and Philadelphia Philadelphia Phillies in four games (best-of-five) before sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in four games (best-of-seven) to win the National League title.
Toronto expunged the New York Yankees in four games (best-of-five), but needed the full seven American League Championship Series games to outlast the Seattle Mariners. Toronto lost the first two games at home in the ALCS.
It’s not surprising that both the Dodgers and Blue Jays have been involved in some of the great games in World Series history. That’s a long list, as one would expect after 120 editions.
A pair of home-run ending games are the focus of this mini-dissertation, however.
In the first game of the 1988 Series, opposing the heavily-favored Oakland Athletics, a hobbling Kirk Gibson turned on a Dennis Eckersley pitch and sent it into the right-field seats at Dodger Stadium. It was not only a game-winner, but a series definer, LA whipping the A’s in five games.
We now fast forward to 1993, as the defending-champ Blue Jays did it again. That’s when Joe Carter hit a three-run Series-ending homer, Toronto in six. We’re remiss if we don’t mention the 15-14 Jays’ comeback win two games earlier.
Those two blasts brought conclusions to a pair of the best games in the history of the Fall Classic. Is there another epic ending here?
Though MLB expert picks suggest the Dodgers are going to continue their romp through the postseason, it’s not given. Toronto’s been resilient, with no fear of hitting the road.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
