Just How Close Were the Blue Jays To Winning the World Series?

Looking back at it, how did they not win it?

The Toronto Blue Jays lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in heartbreaking fashion, losing 5-4 in game 7 to deny them of a championship.

It was a magical ride, including knocking off the mighty Yankees, as well as beating the Mariners in 7 games. George Springer's game 7 homerun in the ALCS was probably a top 3 Blue Jays moment of all time. They were lined up to face a dynasty, the juggernaut Dodgers, and many people didn't give them a chance.

Despite having a 3-2 series lead going back to Toronto, they weren't able to finish the job, losing both games 6 and 7 in excruciating fashion. They had multiple chances to win both games, but couldn't get it done.

I won't go over games 1, 4, or 5, as they won those games, but the rest of the games we'll analyze to see how they should've won at least one of those 4 games, which might've led to a World Series.

Game 2: 5-1 Loss

Probably their least likely game to win. Yamamoto was insane (not the last time I'll say his name), and the bullpen imploded in the later innings. Can't really highlight a moment where they could've won.

Game 3: 6-5 Loss (18 Innings)

Just one of the greatest games of all time. They fell behind, but grabbed a 4-2 lead, and a 5-4 lead, but the Dodgers tied it up before forcing extra innings.

Ohtani had one of the greatest games ever, going 4-4 and getting on base 9 times! They just intentionally walked him in extras, as there was no point in pitching to him.

Once the Blue Jays took most of their starters out, the lineup really dried up. That being said, they had chances. They ran into outs in the 9th and 10th to deny them of runs. Nathan Lukes swung at ball four in the 12th inning with the bases loaded. Heineman struck out with second and third in the 17th.

The Dodgers had chances as well, probably more chances. Shoutout to the Jays' pitching staff, especially Eric Lauer, with one of the greatest relief appearances ever. Eventually, Freeman walked it off.

Somehow, the Jays won the next two games in L.A. to take a series lead, but they could've ended the series had they won this game.

Game 6: 3-1 Loss

Again, Yamamtoto was great. We got him out after 6 innings, and had chances...

We left two guys on in the 8th, and had second and third with nobody out in the 9th inning. Clement had one of the worst at-bats ever and popped out on the first pitch. Then Gimenex lined out to left field, and Barger somehow got doubled off when Rojas made an amazing pick off the throw.

We left Springer on deck....

Game 7: 5-4 Loss (11 Innings)

The game that will haunt Jays fans forever.

Things started off great, with a 3-run homerun by Bo Bichette to give them a lead. Scherzer was great, only allowing 1 run.

They traded runs in the middle innings, and the Blue Jays had a 4-2 lead in the top of the eighth. Yesavage gave up a solo shot to cut the lead to one. The Blue Jays stranded a lead-off double in the bottom of the inning.

With three outs to go, Hoffman came in. He got the first out. He got to a full-count on the number-9 hitter Miguel Rojas...and gave up a home run. Probably the least likely thing to happen, ever. No one could believe it.

Toronto loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning. Daulton Varsho (who left a thousand runners on this series), hit a grounder to Rojas, who stumbled but threw home to get IKF by centimeters. Replay showed IKF barely led off, had he led off a step more, we win.

Then Clement came up. He hit one to the outfield, but they were playing shallow, so they had to sprint back. Just as it looked like it was gonna drop, the Dodgers outfielder came out of nowhere and caught it to keep the game tied. Had there been one out, that would have won the game.

The teams traded scoreless tenth innings.

Will Smith hit a solo shot off Bieber in the 11th to give them a lead.

Vladdy led off in the bottom of the 11th with a lead-off double. He got to third on a sac bunt, and they walked Barger. Most people thought we'd at least tie the game. Nope. Yamamoto (he again?) got Kirk to hit into a double play. Jays lose the World Series.

Conclusion:

I don't know how much closer the Jays could've been to winning. They were two outs away when they gave up a homer to the last person you would expect. Even then, they had multiple chances to win it, but just could not.

Besides game 7, they had multiple chances to win other games in the series, like games 3 and 6. They were so close, but just couldn't get it done.

Yamamoto had one of the greatest performances ever. Had he been 10% worse, we win the World Series. He single-handedly won two games and closed out game 7. And of course, Rojas had the greatest two games of his life.

Still, it was a magical run no one expected. That should not be forgotten. It just stings how close they were.

Article by Jacksen MacLean.