The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to Toronto for a series against the Blue Jays, their first encounter since the World Series. Memories of that final game are still fresh. The series is scheduled from Monday to Wednesday at Rogers Centre.
Rojas Expects a Hostile Reception
Miguel Rojas, who hit a game-tying homer in Game 7 of the World Series, anticipates a different kind of reception this time around. He is expecting to be booed when he plays in Toronto. Rojas acknowledged the significance of the series, viewing it as preparation for the challenges ahead. “It’s not like playing in front of our fans, it’s playing in front of the whole city that was hopeful to win a World Series,” Rojas said.
Rojas draws parallels between this series and other high-stakes matchups. He mentioned games against the Padres and Yankees as examples. These are the games that demand the best. He sees these games as vital preparation for a championship run.
Gausman on World Series Memories
Kevin Gausman reflected on the lingering memories of the World Series. “It feels like we never left, to be honest. It feels like we’re getting ready for Game 8,” Gausman said. He recalled the electric atmosphere of Game 6 while in the bullpen. “Obviously, there’s no Game 8. It’s kind of nostalgic. I threw my bullpen yesterday. It was weird for me to play catch before that. Just going up to the steps to the bullpen, I was remembering the last time I did this. It was Game 6 and you could just feel the electricity in the air, the exc”
Pitching Matchups Announced
The pitching matchups for the series have been announced. On Monday, Justin Wrobleski will face Max Scherzer. Tuesday will see Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Kevin Gausman. Wednesday’s game will feature Shohei Ohtani versus Dylan Cease.
Hernández Anticipates an Exciting Series
Teoscar Hernández expects an exciting and intense series. “I think it’s gonna be great. A little crazy. The fans there love baseball so much. They love the Blue Jays, and I think they wanted to see a match between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays again. And I expect a lot of people going to that series, so it’s going to be exciting.”
Wrobleski Ready for a Tough Crowd
Justin Wrobleski is not expecting a warm welcome from the Toronto crowd. However, he appreciates the passion of the fans. Wrobleski stated, “I’m not expecting a warm welcome, but at the same time, I think it’s pretty cool that that’s kind of the way it is. The fans really care about this game and just the World Series and everything kind of surrounding it. I think that’s part of what makes baseball great.”
The series is more than just another regular season matchup. It’s a reminder of what was, and a glimpse of what could be. The incredible World Series will tie these players and teams together forever. Now, it’s time for the next chapter.