The Toronto Blue Jays’ magic number is down to three after last night. Toronto’s bats rallied to put up 11 runs on Blake Snell and the Dodgers’ bullpen staff, securing the victory and taking the early series lead.

Kevin Gausman will look to expand that lead before they head to the West Coast, with the Dodgers sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound in return.

This will be Gausman’s fifth appearance in the postseason and his fourth start. The right-hander made one relief appearance in the ALCS, throwing a clean inning against the Mariners in Game 7. Through 18 innings, the Jays’ star rotation arm owns a 2.00 ERA and has allowed just ten hits and four earned runs compared to 12 strikeouts. He also owns a 1.06 WHIP, and opponents own just a .161 batting average.

Gausman has been consistent this postseason, throwing 5 2/3 innings in each of his three starts and has not allowed more than four hits in a single outing. He has been a bit wild at times, allowing nine walks this October, but he continues to limit the damage and keep opposing teams from crossing home plate. The Colorado product did not face the Dodgers earlier this season.

Opposite Gausman will be Yamamoto, who will make his fourth start of the postseason. Yamamoto has not faced the Jays before, and this will be his first start at the Rogers Centre since signing with the Dodgers during the 2023/2024 offseason.

Through his three starts, Yamamoto has allowed just four earned runs off 13 hits and four walks while striking out 18. Across 19 2/3 innings, he owns a 1.83 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. Yamamoto’s best start came against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, where he pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and one earned run across 111 pitches.

Lineup-wise, Bo Bichette is not starting, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa starting at second base. Addison Barger gets the nod in right field.

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada

First Pitch: 8:00 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 2-1 record, 2.00 ERA, 18 IP, 12 SO, 9 BB

Los Angeles Dodgers – Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 2-1 record, 1.83 ERA, 19 2/3 IP, 18 SO, 4 BB