Sometimes you just have to tip your cap.
It’s a phrase that used to make Blue Jays fans cringe in 2024 — a reminder of near-misses and missed opportunities. But this time, it fits perfectly. Game 2 of the World Series wasn’t about failure. It was about facing greatness.
The Blue Jays fell 5-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and for once, there wasn’t much anyone could do about it. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto was nearly flawless, carving through Toronto’s lineup with precision, pace, and calm dominance.
A Duel in Every Sense
For much of the night, this was a pitcher’s game — and Kevin Gausman did everything in his power to match Yamamoto pitch for pitch.
After allowing a run in the first, Gausman settled in and was brilliant, retiring 17 straight batters at one point and giving the Jays every chance to stay alive. Toronto’s lone run came on a sacrifice fly in the third inning, and for a while, that was enough to make it feel like something was building.
But in the seventh, the game turned. Will Smith and Max Muncy each went deep off Gausman, a pair of solo home runs that felt like body blows. Not because the Jays were out of it, but because of how efficient Yamamoto was.
A Masterclass on the Mound
Yamamoto didn’t just dominate — he dictated. His second consecutive complete game was a reminder of why he’s one of the best arms in baseball. He moved fast, mixed speeds, and never gave the Blue Jays a chance to breathe.
Toronto had a few solid at-bats, but nothing sustained. It wasn’t for lack of effort or execution — it was because Yamamoto’s command left no margin for error. Sometimes, it really is that simple.
By the end, there was little to do but acknowledge greatness. Tip your cap. Move forward.
Perspective in the Pain
Yes, the loss stings — tight, low-scoring games always do — but this one doesn’t feel like a setback. It feels like a pause. The series is tied 1-1, and the Blue Jays are heading back into a situation they know well: pressure with purpose.
Max Scherzer will take the mound in Game 3, and if there’s one pitcher built for moments like this, it’s him. The Jays have made their name on resilience all season long, bouncing back after every stumble, and this moment is no different.
Final Thought
This was never going to be easy — and that’s what makes it worth it.
Game 2 slipped away, but the margins were razor-thin, the kind of fine line that defines championship baseball. The Dodgers got their night. The Jays will be ready for theirs.
Because this is the World Series — and this is exactly where Toronto belongs.