An Air Canada flight from Chicago to Toronto landed early Thursday morning, and the on-board announcement set the tone for the day. The attendant, wearing an American League Champions hoodie, greeted passengers with, “Welcome to Toronto! Let’s go Blue Jays, they’re going to win the Cup—I mean the trophy—in Game 6.” The excitement in the air reflected the city’s hopeful sentiment as the Blue Jays led the World Series 3-2 after two consecutive victories at Chavez Ravine, laying the groundwork for their first title-clinching opportunity since 1993.
The Blue Jays’ 6-1 win in Game 5 was propelled by a remarkable performance from Trey Yesavage, whose strong outing is already noted as a significant moment in Blue Jays and MLB history. The game also featured pivotal home runs from Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the first and third pitches, respectively, energizing the team and fans alike.
Davis Schneider mentioned the intensity of the moment during the late-night flight, saying, “No one slept, despite how late it was. Everyone’s just so excited, we kind of want the game to start today!” This excitement was palpable as the players prepared for Thursday's workout at Rogers Centre, where Schneider aimed to keep his energy up while strolling the field barefoot.
Pitcher Kevin Gausman, who will start Game 6 against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, participated in light throwing, while teammates Max Scherzer and Mason Fluharty also warmed up, with coach John Schneider allowing optional attendance for the day.
Manager John Schneider shared insights on the atmosphere aboard the flight, likening it to past journeys home after an off day. Despite the high-pressure context following an emotionally taxing 18-inning Game 3, he felt surprisingly calm: “I actually texted my wife. She asked how I was doing, and I said, ‘I’m kind of calm, which is weird.’” Reinforcing this sentiment, he described the plane ride as “normal,” filled with movies, headphones, and a beer.
Upon arriving at Rogers Centre, Schneider took a moment to refresh himself with a dip in the cold pool, although it didn’t invigorate him as he had hoped. Soon after, he resumed preparations for the significant game ahead, focusing on the health and readiness of George Springer and strategizing for Yamamoto.
Springer, who had been running on the field and hitting off the velocity machine, was on the edge of potentially starting but required cautious management from Schneider, who aimed to balance the player’s health with the team’s needs. Asserting that Springer “checked every box physically,” Schneider remained hopeful about his status for Game 6.
Meanwhile, attention turned towards Yamamoto, who is coming off two consecutive complete games in the postseason, including a standout performance in Game 2 with eight strikeouts and only one run allowed. Several Blue Jays batters noted that their recent experience against him would be beneficial in this upcoming game—a sentiment expressed by Schneider, who emphasized the importance of having seen Yamamoto’s pitching style firsthand, which can dramatically influence their game plan.
The Blue Jays successfully adjusted their strategy against Blake Snell in Game 5, capitalizing on locations where he struggled in Game 1. Schneider articulated the necessity of making pitchers throw their pitches, underscoring the focus required to engage effectively with elite pitching talent.
Reflecting on Yesavage's impressive Game 5 performance, Schneider highlighted key moments that showcased his composure and skill, such as a notable play where he bobbled a comebacker from Shohei Ohtani but recovered without panic. The entire outing left Schneider impressed, crediting Yesavage's ability to avoid dangerous situations and achieve high strikeout counts.
As the Blue Jays gear up for their potentially historic Game 6, the stakes are higher than they have been in decades, with the coveted Commissioner’s Trophy now tantalizingly within reach.
