World Series on Sportsnet: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers, Game 1

Rookie Trey Yesavage takes the mound for the biggest game of his life as the Blue Jays take on the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series. Follow all the action on Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ and our live MLB tracker.

TORONTO – About a week ago, as the Toronto Blue Jays kicked around ideas for the roster if they advanced to the World Series, Bo Bichette raised the possibility of playing second base. “It was something that I felt like I could get ready for quicker than another position,” the star shortstop recalled Friday. “I just want to be ready to help the team in any way that is afforded to me, so that felt like an opportunity for me and, obviously, they were on board with it.”

So on board with it, in fact, that Bichette makes his major-league debut at second base – and plays the position for the first time since 2019 with triple-A Buffalo – in Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.)

While his inclusion on the Blue Jays’ roster for the 121^st edition of the Fall Classic was expected, given his recent progress from a PCL sprain in his left knee suffered Sept. 6, the start at second base, even though it was hinted in his recent work there, was still an intriguing decision.

A key part of the deliberations for the Blue Jays in setting up for the defending champions was “how are we going to generate a little more offence,” said manager John Schneider.

To that end, Ty France, who “has been working his tail off to stay ready and looks really good swinging the bat,” said Schneider, was another add to the roster as a bench bat, pushing off outfielder Joey Loperfido and reliever Yariel Rodriguez.

For the first time this post-season, the Blue Jays are going 14 position players and 12 pitchers, rather than with an even 13-13 split, an adjustment reflective of a Dodgers bullpen with four lefties behind southpaw starter Blake Snell, and the way they concentrated innings among their most trusted pitchers in the ALCS.

But the return of Bichette and “having his bat in the lineup is a huge boost for us,” added Schneider. “We’ve got to score against this team. That was probably the part that was ahead of everything, his bat. He’s been having a lot of at-bats live the last couple of weeks. I’m excited for him that he’s able to play and get in this series.”