The Toronto Blue Jays got a 2-for-1 deal on Monday night. The visiting team and the Los Angeles Dodgers went the distance twice, as the home team defeated Canada’s team, 6-5, in an 18-inning marathon. The result was a game with double the innings, double the drama, and double the juicy discussion topics. They won the battle against starter Tyler Glasnow, but ultimately lost the game.
This game will be remembered for a long time, and for many reasons. Here are three takeaways from the historic night in Los Angeles.
1. Shohei Ohtani Breaks Records
GettyShohei Ohtani
The Dodgers’ two-way force was on another level on Monday night. The starting pitcher, who also has one of the best bats in the game, had a night to remember.
By the end of the night, Shohei Ohtani had two home runs, two doubles, three RBIs, one walk, and four intentional walks to reach base nine times. Getting on base nine times tied the all-time record and set a playoff record.
Ohtani has been a force to be reckoned with for the Dodgers and a threat every time he stands at home plate. He has had an incredible postseason to say the least.
In 53 total at-bats, he has eight home runs, 14 RBIs, 15 hits, and 13 walks, including eight intentional walks. Ohtani has been swinging .283 with a .424 OBP.
2. Eric Lauer Almost Played the Hero
GettyEric Lauer
He didn’t start the game, but he pitched more than the starter did. Eric Lauer proved his worth (and then some) in Game 3 with a clutch performance from the bullpen.
Lauer may not be a strikeout ace, but he got outs when the Blue Jays needed him.
“I give my guys so much credit for playing the way they did and Eric Lauer pitching the way he pitched,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said to MLB.com. “That’s pretty unbelievable. I know Klein did the same thing for them. A lot to unpack in that game. But I couldn’t feel as good as I do right now about the way they went about it.”
They, in this equation, being the bullpen, with Lauer being a massive part of that. With the way that Lauer was pitching, the Blue Jays did their best to try to win the game for him, even if they came up short.
“He was like, ‘This is your game. We’re going to try to win it for you. Just keep going out there and doing your thing’,” Lauer told MLB.com of what Schneider said to him.
Lauer finished the game with 4 2/3 innings pitched, two strikeouts, four walks, two hits, and zero runs.
3. World Series Records For Everyone
It was a record night for many players involved in the game.
Game 3 of the World Series tied the records for the most innings in a postseason game, the most Blue Jays players used, and Ohtani’s nine times on base.
The game broke the record for most combined pitchers used (19), most pitches thrown (609), combined plate appearances (153), combined runners left on base (37), and Freddie Freeman became the first player to have two walk-off home runs in a World Series.
All of that (and a whole lot more) was just in one game on Monday night. Now, they get to do it all over again for Game 4 on Tuesday, October 28.
What a World Series.
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