Game 5 of the World Series kicked off with unprecedented fireworks as Blue Jays duo Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made history with back-to-back leadoff homers on only three pitches, electrifying fans and putting Toronto within reach of their third World Series title.
In a moment that will forever be etched in baseball lore, the Toronto Blue Jays delivered a shocking one-two punch in Game 5 of the World Series. Stepping up against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, leadoff hitter Davis Schneider and star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched back-to-back home runs on the first and third pitches of the game, creating a historic opening that sent ripples through the baseball world. This unprecedented feat occurred on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in Los Angeles, immediately setting a defiant tone for the Jays against the defending champions.
Davis Schneider’s Unlikely Heroics and Quirky Habits
The biggest surprise of the night came from Davis Schneider, a backup outfielder thrust into the leadoff spot due to an injury to George Springer. Schneider delivered his first career playoff homer on Snell’s very first pitch, hammering a high fastball to left field. His reaction to the momentous blast was understated, “I didn’t really think I got it, but maybe playoff baseball is a little bit more juice, I don’t know,” he shared with a grin.
Schneider is known for his unique habit of imitating other players’ batting stances. Throughout his professional career, he’s been seen mimicking stars like Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., or even Giancarlo Stanton. In a particularly amusing turn, he even pretended to be Will Smith, the Dodgers’ slugging catcher who was behind the plate for that historic first pitch. Schneider explained his rationale to The Associated Press, saying, “I usually pick guys who are doing well. So (if) Judge has been doing well, (if) Will Smith is doing well — I don’t know. I just like to have fun, and it’s baseball, so you’ve got to have fun with it.”
From Triple-A Stance to World Series History
Interestingly, for this pivotal Game 5 at Dodger Stadium, Schneider wasn’t imitating a current major leaguer. He reverted to his own successful stance from 2023, the year he hit 21 homers for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and earned his first promotion to the majors. His preparation for the leadoff spot was aided by veteran teammate George Springer, a former World Series MVP, who advised him to “always be ready for a fastball for the first pitch leading off the game,” as reported by The Associated Press. Schneider followed this advice perfectly, turning on Snell’s high fastball and sending it over the left-field fence before a stunned crowd of over 52,175.
Before this game, Schneider’s playoff performance had been modest, going 3 for 16 with a double and no RBIs in his first six games. Despite striking out in his next two plate appearances against Snell, his first-pitch blast carved an indelible spot in Blue Jays playoff lore. His manager, also named John Schneider (no relation), lauded the aggressive approach: “Against a really good pitcher like (Snell), you have to be ready to hit… I think those two swings from Schneid and from Vlad… we wanted to be aggressive.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Extends His Blue Jays Record
Following Schneider’s unexpected blast, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped to the plate and wasted no time, blasting an 0-1 fastball 394 feet to left field for his own solo home run. This marked his Blue Jays-record eighth homer of the postseason, further solidifying his impressive performance throughout the playoffs. Guerrero Jr. had also hit a crucial homer in Game 4, connecting off two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Blake Snell’s Challenging Start
The back-to-back homers were a rude awakening for Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell. Each of Snell’s first three pitches in Game 5 were fastballs, and both were sent out of the park. After these two quick blasts, he didn’t throw another fastball for the rest of the first inning. This rocky start was particularly notable given Snell’s recent dominance, as he had only allowed one homer in his previous 50 innings of work prior to this game.
Snell’s struggles against the Blue Jays were a recurring theme, as he had also taken the loss in Toronto’s 11-4 victory in the series opener, giving up five runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings. Despite being a $182 million left-hander who dominated throughout the National League playoffs, the Blue Jays have found a way to challenge him. You can read more about Snell’s performance in the series from The Associated Press.
A Rare Feat in Playoff History
The back-to-back leadoff homers were not just a World Series first, but an exceedingly rare occurrence in playoff history. This electrifying start marked only the second time such a feat has happened to begin any playoff game. The only other instance was in Game 3 of the 2002 AL Division Series when Ray Durham and Scott Hatteberg of the Oakland Athletics connected off Minnesota’s Rick Reed. Durham’s leadoff homer in that game was an inside-the-park home run, adding another layer of unique history to that moment.
Game 5 and the Series at a Glance
This historic opening provided more runs than Trey Yesavage and the Blue Jays bullpen would ultimately need in their 6-1 victory, which put them on the brink of Canada’s third World Series title, as reported by The Associated Press. Schneider’s homer also marked the first time the Blue Jays had scored first in this World Series.
The series itself has been a rollercoaster:
- The teams split the first two games in Toronto.
- Los Angeles claimed an epic 18-inning victory in Game 3, highlighted by two homers from Shohei Ohtani.
- The Blue Jays calmly evened the series with a 6-2 victory in Game 4.
With this historic Game 5 win, the Toronto Blue Jays have not only made history but have significantly boosted their momentum, thrilling fans and moving closer to a championship.
