Why the Blue Jays need Bo Bichette in the lineup for every game of the World Series

Bo Bichette will be back in the lineup for the Toronto Blue Jays for Game 3 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night. He's expected to start at second base, a position he played for the first time in the majors during Game 1. In his first game back after a knee sprain on September 6, Bichette went 1-for-2 with a walk. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa replaced Bichette as a pinch-runner in the sixth inning.

Bichette was not included in the lineup for Saturday night's 5-1 loss in Game 2. He did enter the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning, but grounded out in the final play of the inning. While Bichette's only at-bat on Saturday resulted in an out, Game 2 made it clear how important he is to the Blue Jays in their quest for their first World Series victory in 32 years.

Why the Blue Jays need Bo Bichette in the lineup for every game of the World Series

The Blue Jays' offence had no answer for Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2. After tying the game at 1-1 in the third inning, the Blue Jays were retired in order for the remainder of the game. Toronto's offence couldn't find a spark. The Blue Jays did make plenty of contact, but only managed four hits.

That's including a pop fly by Ernie Clement in the second inning, which Freddie Freeman missed catching. Still, the Blue Jays' eight strikeouts were double what they had in Game 1. Additionally, the Blue Jays lacked patience at the plate, with 17 of their 32 at-bats ending within three pitches. That was reminiscent of Game 1 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners. It also allowed Yamamoto to keep his pitch count low enough that he pitched his second consecutive complete game in the playoffs.

Bichette is one of the best hitters in baseball. Despite missing the final three weeks of the regular season, he finished with the second-most hits in the majors (181) and the second-highest batting average. If there's anyone the Blue Jays can trust to get a hit, it's Bichette.

His presence also makes the Blue Jays' lineup seem longer to pitchers. He's another dangerous bat that can cause significant damage. He has also been known to drive up pitch counts with long at-bats, something that will be critical in helping the Blue Jays get to the Dodger bullpen, which has been their weakness during the postseason.

His inclusion in the Game 3 lineup likely means Kiner-Falefa will be on the bench to start the game. Kiner Falefa is 5-for-25 during the postseason, with one RBI. Offensively, Bichette is an upgrade over Kiner-Falefa.

The biggest concerns about Bichette's inclusion in the lineup are his defence and his health. The World Series is not the ideal time to play second base for the first time in the majors. Less so while recovering from a knee sprain.

Defensively, Kiner-Falefa is a better option. However, putting Bichette as the designated hitter means moving George Springer into the outfield. Neither option is ideal, but the Blue Jays could do the same thing they did in Game 1: bring Kiner-Falefa in later in the game to strengthen the infield.

The Blue Jays also have to be careful about Bichette's knee. With him returning from injury, Toronto must be mindful not to push him too hard, too fast. That seemed to be the rationale behind leaving him off the Game 2 lineup. However, if he is well enough to play, the Blue Jays need him in the game to help them get the last three wins they need.