Saying that World Series Game 6 is a big deal for Toronto might be an understatement. After the Blue Jays have suffered, recovered, and literally come back multiple times in the postseason, they are now just one win away from their first win on soil after 1993. No wonder their fan base has been loud with their #WANTITALL chants. But the homefield advantage against the defending champions, the LA Dodgers, could be pressure in disguise.

“When you have such a passionate fanbase, an energetic fanbase, a starving fanbase, one that has waited a long time to be one game away from the World Series, you have to imagine the pressure the ballplayers feel showing up to the field today,” former baseball pro, Kevin Pillar, summed up the emotions that might be surging through Toronto’s clubhouse right now.

“This city is vibrant; it is electric,” recalling the thousands of fans already lined up when he left his hotel early in the morning. “With that comes an added pressure, but this is a team that’s faced so much adversity… If there’s ever a team that’s built to face anything that we’re talking about, from home field advantage to nerves… this team is just so steady with their approach. This team is really built for this moment.”

The Jays have certainly thrived on that passion.

Anytime they had a game at Rogers Centre, the uproar caused earthquakes. But that brings immense pressure and not just for the players. Here is how the city is planning to make the most of the home game:

• According to reports, the city is actively working with the sold-out Rogers Centre, Toronto police, transit agencies, and others to prepare for all possible scenarios, including road closures, crowd management, and emergency response.
• Fans are hosting viewing parties at the Univ. of Toronto, Scotiabank Arena and Nathan Phillips Square outside City Hall, and public squares in cities such as Brampton, Mississauga and Aurora.
• The fans have essentially canceled Halloween as many trick or treaters are expected to see lights in houses turn off after 8 p.m. and the first pitch, to focus on the big game.
• Various bars are already prepared to see a record crowd for their fourth home win on Friday.

“Toronto doesn’t win a lot of championships that resonate across the country, or even across this rather enormous city,” Canadian sportscaster Steve Simmons wrote for the Toronto Sun.

“But this time feels so different with the Blue Jays one win away from an implausible, breathtaking, life-changing World Series win. The Blue Jays “have already stolen our hearts and become the most likeable team Toronto has ever known.” Simmons: “And they are about to become champions, something to talk about for the rest of our lives.”

Toronto has never hidden its excitement.

The Blue Jays went from being a team not many expected much from to being just a step away from making history. The thrill couldn’t be ignored when the fans partied across the town as the Jays won the ALCS to enter the World Series. Now, too, they’ve already begun celebrating their run.

But even though they have won two games in a row,  coming to face them next is none other than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the guy who pitched a complete-game gem.

For one, Daulton Varsho is not blind to the challenge Yamamoto poses.

“Yeah, I mean, they got Yamamoto going, and he kind of shoved it up our ass last time, so we have to take it one swing at a time, one pitch at a time. Knowing he’s a really good pitcher, we have to work him… still stay on the grind and do everything we can to win.”

The Blue Jays, however, have Kevin Gausman to keep their boat afloat. Plus, the Dodgers’ bats seem silent this time.

Simply relying on Yamamoto will not take them far, not when the offense has been absent. The team can’t leave it all to Ohtani either. If the bats don’t awaken at the right time, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Jays simply walk away with this one after 32 long years.

Meanwhile, the tension between both locker rooms is getting intense.

John Schneider takes a polite jab at Blake Snell

After giving up five earned runs in Game 5, Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell told reporters that he didn’t think that the Blue Jays really beat him. He was apparently just “unlucky.” It was a strange take, given Toronto opened the night with back-to-back home runs and kept Snell on his feet, sweating. Jeff Frye, in fact, called out Snell for making excuses, too. But the Jays manager did not.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider was, of course, asked if he had to say anything about the Snell comment. He didn’t raise his voice or even roll his eyes. He instead responded calmly, but fans knew it was a mic drop statement. “No. I thought Schneider does what he is good at. Vladimir is one of the best players in the game. And I thought we really made him work. He’s a great pitcher. I’m worried about tomorrow. Game 6 here. Yamamoto is an even tougher task. We led the league in hitting this year. I don’t think we’re too bad.”

No sarcasm, not even theatrics, just a reminder that they led all of MLB with a .265 BA. Fans online applauded Schneider’s diplomatic roast. Fans couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “Cooked him in the most polite Canadian way while also reiterating that we are literally the best hitting team in the league lol.”

Now, Toronto is on the brink of its first World Series title since 1993, and this is the composure that they need. And maybe that’s how the pressures of the moment won’t get to them much.