Canada roots

for Blue Jays

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have advanced to the World Series and have a chance of claiming the championship of America’s pastime at a time when U.S.-Canada relations remain near historic lows.

George Springer put Toronto ahead with a three-run homer in the seventh inning as the Blue Jays reached the World Series for the first time since 1993 by beating the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday.

Canada’s only major league team will have an entire country behind it against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday night in Toronto. The once-in-a-generation Major League Baseball playoff run comes as Canadians are feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal after U.S. President Donald Trump has talked about making the country the 51st state.

Dodgers to start

Snell in Game 1

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Snell will start Game 1 of the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in Game 2, according to manager Dave Roberts.

This pitching order repeats the strategy used in the NL Championship Series, which the Dodgers swept in four games against the Milwaukee Brewers. Snell had an impressive performance in Game 1 last week, striking out 10 over eight scoreless innings.

He became the first Dodger pitcher to complete eight innings while allowing one hit or fewer in a postseason game. Yamamoto threw the first complete game by a Dodgers pitcher in the postseason since 2004.

LA Angels hire

Kurt Suzuki

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have hired former major league catcher Kurt Suzuki as their next manager. Suzuki spent the past three seasons as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian. Suzuki played 16 seasons in the major leagues for five teams, including the final two with the Angels. Los Angeles pivoted quickly to Suzuki after talks with former slugger Albert Pujols broke down in recent days.

Trout testifies

in Skaggs’ death

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout testified Tuesday in a trial over whether the MLB team should be held responsible for the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

The three-time American League most valuable player told the court about his friendship with Skaggs and suspicions of drug use by team communication director Eric Kay. Kay was convicted of providing a fentanyl-laced pill that led to Skaggs’ fatal overdose in 2019.

Skaggs’ family has sued alleging the Angels should be held responsible, while the team says the pitcher took the pill in the privacy of his hotel room.