Toronto Blue Jays fighting to even World Series against Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4

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Ohtani finished pitching the top half of the first inning, only to turn around and be the leadoff batter for the Dodgers in the bottom of the inning.

Bieber quickly fell behind 3-0 in the count before getting two strikes across the plate to get to a full count. But Ohtani walked on the sixth pitch.

That put a runner on base, with nobody out.

A shutout first inning featuring a three-pitch strikeout of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?

The Dodgers will take that. Their star player looks just fine after last night’s marathon.

Alejandro Kirk was the fifth Blue Jays batter to face Ohtani in the first.

He popped out on the second pitch, ending Toronto's chances to put a run on the scoreboard.

Bichette worked to a full count of 3-2 with Ohtani, then drew a walk.

Barger was up next. He also got to a full count with Ohtani, then hit a ball to third base, but Max Muncy couldn't make a play on it.

That put Barger on first, and Bichette on second, with two out.

Nathan Lukes was the first Blue Jay to face Ohtani in Game 4.

At the start of the first inning, Lukes hit a fly ball into left-field foul territory, which Enrique Hernández snagged for the Dodgers' first out of the game.

Guerrero was up next. He struck out on three pitches.

That brought Bichette to the plate, who was walked.

Here we go. How each team responds to playing one day after what was surely a mentally draining Game 3 could be the deciding factor.

After both sides emptied the clip last night, bullpen availability could also play a major role — perhaps especially for L.A., where Ohtani will start on the mound after reaching base nine times last night.

Also: this is game No. 174 for the Blue Jays this season. The grind is real.

Former MLB pitcher and 1988 World Series champion Orel Hershiser threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 tonight.

Nicknamed Bulldog for his fiercely competitive spirit, Hershiser finished his 18 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Dodgers in 2000.

Then, boy, are you in for a surprise tonight as the Japanese superstar starts on the mound for the Dodgers.

In Ohtani’s last pitching appearance in the NLCS, all he did was strike out 10 and hit three home runs to help Los Angeles clinch the pennant.

Meanwhile, as mentioned, he reached base nine times (!) last night thanks to two doubles, two homers and five walks — four of which were intentional. The four extra-base hits represented a World Series record.

He struck such fear in the Blue Jays that Schneider said he was considering another intentional walk … to lead off the game.

The Jays will see Ohtani both at the plate and on the mound in Game 4. Here's the Dodgers' starting lineup:

1. Shohei Ohtani - designated hitter

2. Mookie Betts - shortstop

3. Freddie Freeman - first base

4. Will Smith - catcher

5. Teoscar Hernández - right field

6. Max Muncy - third base

7. Tommy Edman - second base

8. Enrique Hernández - left field

9. Andy Pages - centre field

With the Jays’ DH not starting Game 4, but still on the roster, there will be some challenges for Schneider.

The biggest question: can Springer take an at-bat tonight? If he can, then he’s a candidate to pinch hit late in the game for the likes of Andrés Giménez or Kiner-Falefa.

If not, then the Blue Jays will be short a player, and unable to capitalize on their depth like they did to great success all season.

Either way, Springer’s absence from the starting lineup hurts, as one of the Jays’ best bats all season could now miss the biggest game of the year.

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