Former Guardians fail to capitalize for Blue Jays in pivotal World Series loss 

The set-up was there.

Ernie Clement at third base. Myles Straw at second. Andrés Giménez on-deck. 

With all of the world watching in Game 6 of the World Series, former Guardians were all over the field for the Blue Jays. 

And all of them failed to capitalize. After Clement popped out on the first pitch he saw in relief from Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, Giménez lined out to left fielder Kiké Hernández, who promptly threw to second base to get Addison Barger for a game-ending double play to secure the Dodgers' 3-1 win.

Jubilation turned to heartbreak in the matter of three pitches to former Guardians. 

Former Guardians’ shortcomings were on full display for the Blue Jays 

While Clement has been a stud for the Blue Jays all postseason, his decision to swing at the first pitch that he saw from Glasnow turned out to be the wrong one after he had a harmless pop up to first base. 

The same can be said for Giménez, who has driven in his fair share of runs out of the nine hole but also has hit under .160 in the World Series. 

And, to be fair, he did get a good swing off. Although the ball left his bat at just 81 miles per hour, the sinking liner had an expected batting average of .710. But Hernández was in the right place and made the perfect play. 

Clement helped keep the Guardians in it earlier in the game with two hits, but the Blue Jays weren't able to do much against Los Angeles starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman was also solid, but he had to work behind the 8-ball after surrendering a two-run single to Mookie Betts in the third inning.

All of this sets up what should be an exciting Game 7 later tonight. Tyler Glasnow was the expected starter for the Dodgers, but he came in and picked up the save against the duo of Guardians. He’ll likely pitch for the Dodgers in some capacity tomorrow ahead of Shohei Ohtani, who is reportedly set to start for Los Angeles. 

Meanwhile, Max Scherzer will get the start for the Blue Jays, though we could likely see former Guardians starter Shane Bieber work in relief in some capacity. 

There’s no two better words in sports than “Game 7,” and there’s no denying this will be a Game 7 that most of Cleveland will be paying plenty of attention to.