As the Los Angeles Dodgers gear up for Game 3 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, all eyes are on pitcher Tyler Glasnow and his performance expectations. After a bounce-back victory in Game 2, the Dodgers look to build on their momentum with Glasnow on the mound.
Following a disappointing loss in Game 1, Los Angeles managed to even up the series, showcasing a strong performance led by starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who delivered a complete game. With the Dodgers now only 81 outs from clinching their second consecutive championship, Glasnow takes the spotlight, sporting a 3.19 ERA over 90.1 innings this season.
The matchup is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, with the Dodgers listed as the -207 favorites, while the Blue Jays are at +167 underdogs. The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs, indicating an anticipated battle on the diamond.
Glasnow, in his second season with the Dodgers, has excelled this postseason, allowing just one earned run over 13.1 innings, resulting in an outstanding 0.68 ERA alongside a 1.13 WHIP and 18 strikeouts. Notably, he followed Yamamoto’s impressive outing with a strong performance of his own in the NLCS, where he recorded 5.2 innings of one-run ball and eight strikeouts.
Highlighting Glasnow’s striking capabilities, he has achieved an impressive average of 12.15 strikeouts per nine innings this October, and his strikeout rate during the regular season was among the top in the league. However, his control has come into question, as he recorded 5.40 walks per nine innings during the postseason, raising concerns given the Dodgers’ struggling bullpen.
Manager Dave Roberts has emphasized the importance of lengthening the starts of pitchers, and with a 1.38 ERA in October innings for the rotation, relying on Glasnow for deeper outings is crucial as the bullpen has struggled with a concerning 6.16 ERA.
Glasnow’s past track record against the Blue Jays is reassuring, having previously pitched 5.2 innings of two-run ball against them in August. Given the Dodgers’ current situation and the reliance on Glasnow to secure as many outs as possible, it is anticipated that Glasnow will record at least 17 outs in this pivotal matchup, contributing significantly to the Dodgers’ quest for back-to-back titles. The excitement and potential for this game promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats.