Let's go Blue Jays: Toronto ready to host the World Series for 1st time in 32 years

baseball game fans, joy — the domain serial publication is hither, and the Toronto Blue Jays are front and centre on the sport’s biggest stage for the first time in over three decades. 

The Jays are facing off against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers at Rogers Centre starting at 8 p.m. ET Friday.

While 1993 is a lot more recent than 1967, it's still a long time ago for a whole generation of Torontonians who never got to witness the Blue Jays' back-to-back championships, the franchise's only two World Series appearances. Heck, it's a long time ago for the people who did witness them.

So expect the dome and the rest of the city to be rocking at first pitch.

Blue Jays enter World Series as underdogs against Ohtani’s Dodgers

Los Angeles, in stark contrast, has seen plenty of World Series action in the past decade.

The Dodgers are playing in their fifth Fall Classic in nine seasons, and will be gunning for their own repeat after easily dispatching the New York Yankees in five games last year to become the undisputed kings — or, to most baseball fans, evil emperors — of the big leagues.

Led by multi-talented, cannot-be-overhyped phenom Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers have an almost God-like batting lineup and starting rotation.

The National League champs have lost only one game in three series this post-season, most recently making this season's winningest team, the Milwaukee Brewers, look like a speed bump on their flat, paved road to the World Series.

But the Blue Jays didn't get here by luck.

Their bats have been on fire this October, and they won one more game than LA during the regular season. That gives Toronto home-field advantage for the series’ first two games, as well as Games 6 and 7, if necessary. Against a juggernaut like the Dodgers, that small edge could be massive.

So the Dodgers (with a payroll nearly $100 million higher than Toronto's) are a formidable opponent, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider hasn't appeared intimidated this week, saying his club has what it takes to win.

"I got all the confidence in the world with my guys,” he said at a media availability Thursday. "I'll put this group of 26 up against anybody."

Schneider said the Dodgers are "a beatable baseball team."

'That is a beatable baseball team,' Blue Jays manager says of Dodgers

Toronto's players are gearing up for a battle. George Springer, whose Game 7 blast earlier this week helped catapult the Jays into the World Series, said he hasn’t really had time to reflect on his game-winning home run.

Trey Yesavage, 22, who started his professional career this spring and was only called up to the majors last month, will start Game 1 for Toronto. He'll face left-hander Blake Snell, one of only seven pitchers ever to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues (Jays veteran Max Scherzer is also on that list).

It's a big moment for Toronto baseball fans. Jays fans flooded downtown Toronto after the team beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 to win the ALCS and qualify for the World Series on Monday night.

Many Toronto fans — and current players — weren’t even born when the team made it to the championship the last time. Even those who saw the last championship said they felt goosebumps and nerves Monday night.

"I think I was three years old the last time they went to the series, my dad carrying me on his shoulders down these halls," said Raja Oosiar of Scarborough after leaving the Rogers Centre Monday night.

“We’re back, baby!" said Leo Bursui, who watched the ALCS Game 7 at a bar downtown.

For fans who weren't able to get through Ticketmaster's lottery system this week and are now priced out of marked up resale tickets, there are lots of watch parties and events around the city showing Game 1.

The City of Toronto will host free public viewing parties at Nathan Phillips Square for all home games during the championship.

Fans can watch the games live on a giant screen, accompanied by music from a live DJ and Blue Jays trivia with prizes, starting Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

The Maple Leafs and Raptors will also show the World Series games on the Scotiabank Arena videoboard following their games. Both teams have moved their games start times to accommodate the World Series schedule.

Many bars and venues will be hosting watch parties, including the RendezViews, which will have two massive outdoor screenings for the first two home games of the World Series.

Blue Jays head to World Series

For those lucky enough to have tickets this weekend, Toronto police are asking for patience. They recommend using public transit to get to Rogers Centre, due to road closures and large crowds in the area. Groups with children are asked to decide in advance where to meet if separated.

There will be an increased police presence outside the dome on game days, including officers from the mounted unit, to manage crowd control.

Reporter

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