The Toronto Blue Jays remain hopeful that ailing DH George Springer will be able to play tonight in Game 5 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.
Springer, who left Game 3 early two nights ago with pain in his side, did not play in Game 4 as the Jays evened the series at two games apiece.
An MRI on Springer’s right side after Game 3 was negative and Jays manager John Schneider characterized Springer’s status as ‘hour-to-hour’ before leaving him off the Game 4 lineup card. Bo Bichette took over the DH slot for Toronto, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting the start at second base.
The Jays could certainly use Springer’s bat in the lineup as they face Dodger ace Blake Snell in Game 5. He was the team’s best overall hitter during the regular season, posting a .309/.399/.560 slash line in 586 plate appearances and a team-leading 4.8 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
He also has one of the best postseason résumés in baseball history, with 23 home runs and an .877 OPS in 81 career playoff games.
Springer has four home runs this postseason, including a three-run blast that pushed the Blue Jays past the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series. He was also named the World Series MVP in 2017 in leading the Houston Astros past the Los Angeles Dodgers.