LA Dodgers one win away from returning to World Series; ALCS even at two games apiece

The GIST: One best-of-seven Championship Series could be heading for a sweep, while the other features squads trading hard-fought Ws — you never know what you’re going to get with October baseball. Here’s where things stand one week out from Game 1 of the World Series.

🐦 Max Scherzer turns back the clock, Toronto Blue Jays bats stay hot: The 41-year-old hurler was giving shades of his three-time Cy Young–winning self last night, silencing the Seattle Mariners in his Jays playoff debut, a crucial 8–2 Game 4 win to even the series. Mad Max, indeed.

• Scherzer also benefited from some timely run support — Toronto’s now scored 21 runs across their last two wins, compared to a mere four in their Game 1 and 2 losses.

• This back-and-forth affair is heading for Game 5 tonight at 6:08 p.m. ET, and this one is shaping up to be a pitcher’s duel with Jays ace Kevin Gausman taking on Seattle’s sharp Bryce Miller. Say less.

💙 LA Dodgers (up 3-0) on the brink of fifth World Series appearance in nine seasons: Defense wins championships, and the Dodgers’ pitching staff has straight-up dominated the Milwaukee Brewers, with starter Tyler Glasnow striking out eight before the bullpen slammed the door in last night’s 3–1 Game 3 win.

• Now LA has a chance to sweep their way back to the Fall Classic with who else but two-way star Shohei Ohtani on the mound for Game 4 tonight at 8:38 p.m. ET. The Brewers are known for their resilience, but it’ll take some magic to overcome the juggernaut Dodgers.