Toronto Blue Jays fans were calmer Saturday night after a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series, tying the series at 1-1.
The devastating game came when Will Smith and Max Muncy hit solo home runs in the seventh inning off Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman.
Dodgers ace starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched his second straight postseason complete game to also help secure the victory.
But while Saturday night may have given Jays fans a chance to make some money, Toronto hasn’t given up hope yet.
Bill Redford, who was at Game 2 with his son, Shawn, said the loss didn’t deter him.
“I was elated last night, a little down today, but you know what? We’ll be back,” Redford said outside Rogers Center shortly after Saturday’s final out.
Ahead of Toronto’s first World Series appearance since 1993, CBC Sports took to the streets of Toronto to ask people how being Canada’s team is different between the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Redford added that the Blue Jays are widely considered the underdogs in the series, but he expects them to still emerge victorious.
“I don’t think anyone expects Toronto to win the series against the big, bad Dodgers, but we’re the bravest team in baseball,” the younger Redford said. “Every game is important and I think there will be six or seven.”
Blue Jays fan Karri Cee said she’s “never going to doubt the Blue Jays” even as they continue the World Series in California. He came all the way from San Francisco to cheer on the Blue Jays, he said, and is not shocked by Saturday’s setback.
“The Blue Jays are going to get it in five. The Dodgers won one today, but I think the Blue Jays have a strong offense, a good bullpen, good pitching, so I think they’re going to get it done,” Cee said.
Also among them was superfan Shawn Panacci, who said he’s been hooked on the Blue Jays since he saw them at Exhibition Stadium in 1989, when he was eight years old.
“This is surprising because you may not see this again until you’re in your 70s,” Panacci said. “It’s amazing to be here today.”
Panacci added that winning two of three games in Los Angeles gives the Blue Jays a chance to clinch the series at home, which would “set the city on fire.”
Through wins and losses, the Blue Jays are “bringing the country together,” he said.
“The crowd is very energetic. I mean, every time there’s a play, it’s very loud. Everyone is into it. Everyone is yelling and screaming and cheering,” Panacci said. “It’s great energy.”
That energy is part of the reason the Redford father-son duo is happy to be in the stadium for the Blue Jays game, even if they lose.
“Sports is about connection. I think that’s what brings communities and families together,” Shawn Redford said. “That’s what has always kept us very close and it’s super special.”
For Bill Redford, that special connection comes when all fans unite around one word: “Believe.”
“It’s a game. We didn’t expect to sweep, but I’m sure we’ll get three more,” he said.
Many fans took to social media to share their unwavering support for the Blue Jays, amid attacks from Dodgers fans that left some wondering if singing “We Don’t Need You” to Shohei Ohtani during Game 1 of the World Series was a good idea.
I planned that this series wasn’t going to be a blowout, but on the other hand, I feel pretty good about where these Blue Jays are at, for the first time. #WorldSeries run in 32 seasons.
Fun fact: The 1992 and ’93 World Series were also tied 1-1 before the venue change. Let’s not be discouraged, dear Blue Jays fans.
Back home from the holidays and the Blue Jays lost, I honestly didn’t expect them to go up 2-0 against the Dodgers anyway, just gotta go 2 for 3 in LA.
Superstitions continued to play a role in the second game of the World Series, although this time the target was another Toronto team, not a Toronto-born artist.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost 5-3 to the Buffalo Sabers on Friday, coincidentally won 4-3 in Saturday’s game.
Some fans took that to mean the Leafs should have a horrible October.
Ok, listen to me :::: you’re going to have to miss every night the Blue Jays play.
I don’t make the rules. They simply are🤷♀️🥲
You will do well in November. pic.twitter.com/sglMXUiH3r
Saturday was another night of firsts for baseball, although this time the achievements had more to do with performance and less to do with the players.
The Jonas Brothers made a special appearance in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday, performing as part of a renewed partnership between MLB and the charity Stand Up To Cancer.
While many took the opportunity to take photos of the singers, others were disappointed with the choice.
The Jonas Brothers changed the entire trajectory of the World Series
Previously, Blue Jays fans had been intrigued by the guy in the cheese hat and the muscle man, who sat directly behind home plate during the American League Division Series and the American League Championship Series.
But as the second game of the World Series progressed, someone else began to stand out. What appeared to be Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, left fans rubbing their eyes to make sure they were getting a good look.
What fans later discovered was that the man was actually simply dressing up as the renowned American businessman as part of KFC Canada’s marketing for the Blue Jays.
Still, fans couldn’t help but take to social media to brag about the guest of honor.
The Blue Jays are now on the road, heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that Max Scherzer will receive the ball for the first game at Dodger Stadium. Scherzer previously played for the Dodgers in 2021.
