Toronto Blue Jays take 2-0 lead on first pitches in Game 5 against Los Angeles Dodgers

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Guerrero stepped up to the plate and did the same thing — he also hit a solo home run, pushing the Toronto lead to 2-0 in Game 5, after just two batters.

Davis Schneider was first up for Toronto in the top of the first.

And he hit the first pitch he saw over the wall for a solo home run to give Toronto a 1-0 lead.

Snell has taken the mound for Game 5 of the World Series. It's his second shot at taking on Toronto this series, after his Game 1 start.

Thinking ahead here, but as we’ve previously mentioned, Schneider said more definitively today that the injured Springer could be available for a pinch-hit opportunity.

Still, with DH occupied by fellow right-hander Bichette, and Springer highly unlikely to play the field, it will likely be just one at-bat.

Perhaps that spot is late in the game when the left-handed Barger is due up. Schneider likes taking the 25-year-old out late for a defensive replacement in close games anyway, so if a lefty reliever comes in to face Barger — or Varsho two spots earlier — Springer could get a cushy matchup and come out immediately after.

Sitting right there at the top of the Dodgers’ lineup is Ohtani. In the Blue Jays’ lead-off spot, meanwhile, is none other than … Davis Schneider.

OK, so not exactly the same intimidation factor.

Los Angeles has its top hitter up there for one simple reason: get him as many at-bats as possible.

Schneider hasn’t started since Game 1. But his calling card is patience — he saw 4.46 pitches per plate appearance, which would have tied for the MLB lead if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

Hitting one spot in front of Guerrero, Schneider’s job is to wear out opposing pitchers and get on base for the $500 million US slugger.

Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright performed O Canada tonight. He changed the lyrics to "that only us command" instead of "in all of us command,” as singer Chantal Kreviazuk did before a 4 Nations Face Off hockey game in February in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s “51st state” rhetoric.

Keith Williams Jr. Sang The Star-Spangled Banner.

As for the ceremonial first pitch tonight, it was thrown by NBA legend and Dodgers part owner Magic Johnson.

Reporters asked John Schneider today about Toronto’s ability to make contact at the plate, and his thoughts on whether that could have an influence on other teams in the league.

The Jays skipper said he believes teams have to put balls in play to counter what they see from opposing pitchers.

"To me, pitching is so good these days, with the stuff and the velo[city], everything, you have to be able to put the ball in play," he said.

"You have to put pressure on the defence and the pitchers.”

The Blue Jays were one of the least strikeout-prone MLB teams this season. Toronto also had the highest team batting average during the regular season, as well as the highest on-base percentage.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says his lineup must be alert at the plate as they face Yesavage.

"We've seen him, we're prepared and … now, it's kind of, nine guys coming together, being ready to hunt mistakes," Roberts told reporters this afternoon before the game.

"And when you get a mistake … be ready to do something with it, and continue to fight."

We have a pitching rematch from Game 1, and both starters will be looking to improve.

Remember, Yesavage is making just his eighth career start — and his fifth this post-season. His signature splitter let him down in Game 1, so he’ll have to rediscover the feel on that pitch if he hopes to improve on last Friday’s four-inning, two-run outing.

Before facing the Jays, Snell was nearly unhittable — allowing just two runs in 21 post-season innings. But Toronto touched him up for eight hits and four runs in five frames.

It’ll be extra important for both starters to offer some semblance of length with the bullpens taxed after 27 innings over the past two days.

After tonight’s game, one team will be one win away from winning the World Series. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

The Blue Jays are feeling good after a huge Game 4 victory to even the series, but today is a new day.

It’s also the final game at Dodger Stadium before the World Series shifts back to Toronto, where someone will be crowned champion either Friday or Saturday.

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