Update, 6:40 p.m. ET: Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the team is optimistic that Springer can play in Game 6 on Friday.

6:30 p.m. ET: After tying up the World Series at two games apiece on Tuesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays will take the field again on Wednesday looking to seize control from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, they'll have to do it without star George Springer for the second consecutive day, as he's out of the lineup again. Springer left Game 3 with an apparent oblique issue. He was on the field warming up on Wednesday, but evidently is not good enough to go.

His absence forces a number of new dynamics for manager John Schneider.

First, Bo Bichette starts again, but he does so at designated hitter. This means that Isiah Kiner-Falefa is in the lineup at second base again, which makes sense considering the Jays are up against left-hander Blake Snell.

Furthermore, Davis Schneider is in the lineup as a starter, and he's leading off. Addison Barger, a lefty, is in the lineup against Snell, which is something that didn't happen in Game 1.

Though the Jays were able to win Game 4, Springer's absence could loom large, as he's a historic postseason performer. He's hit .264 in his playoff career with 23 home runs. He was MVP of the 2017 World Series as a member of the Houston Astros. 

In the regular season, Springer hit .309 with 32 homers and 84 RBIs. He also stole 18 bases.

The 36-year-old is under contract for one more season. It's unclear if he's available off the bench on Wednesday, though you'd have to imagine that he is given the gravity of this moment.

The two teams are off again on Thursday as they fly back to Toronto for Game 6, which is Friday night.

Related Blue Jays stories

SCHNEIDER THROWS DOMINGUEZ UNDER BUS: After a mistake in Game 3, Seranthony Dominguez caught the ire of his manager. CLICK HERE: 

BARGER's GEAR TO HOF: After a historic grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series, Addison Barger is sending his cleats to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. CLICK HERE: 

SCHERZER MAKES HISTORY: With his Game 3 start, the Jays pitcher did something no pitcher has ever done. CLICK HERE:

Join the Conversation

Remember to join our BLUE JAYS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!