Game 7 Predictions

The lights couldn't be brighter: Scherzer vs Ohtani on the mound, and Vlad vs Ohtani (again) at the plate. What do you think will happen tonight? Here's my predictions

Ohtani Starting -> Glasnow Relieving

Ohtani is only on three days rest, making the starting decision a little odd at first glance. However, Starting Ohtani lets the Dodgers sub him out without losing their DH

In simple terms, Roberts is looking for 3-5 great innings from Ohtani instead of 6-7 good innings. I imagine he's "splitting" the start between Ohtani and Glasnow

I expect the Blue Jays to try something similar with Scherzer and Bieber, with Bassitt (regular season started converted to reliver) also playing a key role

Expect a lot of hard throws for all 9 innings, with both teams "amortizing" the start over 2 starters, with only premium relievers seeing the mound

Hard hit balls decide the game

The Blue Jays have succeeding by taking contact whenever they can get it. The Dodgers, once solely reliant on Ohtani's bat for offense, woke up in the 3rd inning last night, stringing together hits and walks to find 3 runs (and it could've been more if some balls weren't called strikes)

However, with pitchers having nothing to rest for, I anticipate hard hit balls, especially home runs, to be the main source of offense tonight. It isn't just Vlad and Ohtani, Freeman is due and Barger+Clement have been making hard contact

Extra Innings: Required

This game "7" is practically a game 8 with the double length game 3. Its pretty clearly the best NL team facing off against the best AL team, and it's no surprise it went the distance. I expect a hard fought affair that takes more than 9 innings to settle