With Game 6 of the World Series looming on Halloween night, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in unfamiliar and frightening territory—fighting for survival on the road against the surging Toronto Blue Jays. Despite boasting what many consider baseball’s most expensive and talented roster, the Dodgers face elimination after dropping consecutive games at home in Chavez Ravine. Starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound as L.A.’s last hope, with oddsmakers still favoring the Dodgers at plus-225 to win the Championship. Will Yamamoto deliver the dominant performance the Dodgers desperately need? Has fatigue from cross-country travel finally caught up with this veteran squad? Could Toronto’s home-field advantage and momentum prove insurmountable in the crucial last games of the Series?
The Series has exposed troubling weaknesses, with the Dodgers batting a surprisingly low .217 collectively. Mookie Betts, who moved to shortstop this season, has struggled particularly at the plate, with baseball writer Jon Hyman suggesting the defensive demands have left him exhausted. Should Manager Dave Roberts move Betts back to right field for these crucial games? Were his pitching decisions and use of the bullpen costly mistakes? Meanwhile, Toronto has neutralized Shohei Ohtani by refusing to pitch to him. Can the Dodgers become the first National League team to repeat as champions since the Cincinnati Reds, or will Toronto complete their improbable giant-slaying run?
Off the diamond, a lawsuit continues against the Angels regarding pitcher Tyler Skaggs’ 2019 overdose death involving team employee Eric Kay. With Mike Trout called to testify, what responsibility do teams bear for substance abuse in their organizations? Does this case mark a turning point in how baseball addresses player health?
In NFL action, Kansas City travels to Buffalo as two-point favorites. Is this victory essential for the Chiefs’ conference race hopes? And will Baker Mayfield’s Tampa Bay resurgence, Jalen Hurts’ Philadelphia leadership, or Jared Goff’s Detroit transformation determine the favorite in the race for MVP?
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