In an unforgettable 18-inning saga, Freddie Freeman’s walk-off heroics secured a 2-1 World Series lead for the Dodgers, while Shohei Ohtani delivered a legendary performance that shattered postseason records in a game that will be discussed for decades to come.
The 2025 World Series witnessed a monumental clash in Game 3, as the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays in a grueling 18-inning marathon. This epic contest, which spanned 6 hours and 39 minutes, concluded with a dramatic walk-off solo home run from Freddie Freeman, giving the Dodgers a pivotal 6-5 victory and a 2-1 series lead. It was a game filled with back-and-forth scoring, stellar defensive plays, unprecedented individual performances, and bullpen heroics that pushed both teams to their absolute limits.
The 18-inning duration tied for the longest game in Fall Classic history, echoing the 2018 World Series Game 3 between the Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox, which also extended to 18 frames and ended on a walk-off homer by Max Muncy, as confirmed by official league records. This time, the drama unfolded on October 27, 2025, exactly seven years after that memorable 2018 matchup. Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, succinctly captured the sentiment after the game, calling it “one of the greatest World Series games of all time” and admitting he was “spent emotionally.”
Freeman’s Walk-Off Seals an Instant Classic
For Freddie Freeman, this was his second career walk-off home run in the World Series. His first was a grand slam during the 2024 World Series, where the Dodgers clinched the championship against the New York Yankees. This latest blast came off Blue Jays reliever Brendon Little, sending the Dodger Stadium crowd into an uproar. Freeman expressed his relief and focus after the game, stating, “I was just trying to get on base against a tough lefty, sinker baller with a hard curveball just trying to get on, but got to a 3-2 count and was able to put a good swing on it.”
The moment solidified Freeman’s reputation for delivering in high-pressure situations and further cemented his place in Dodger lore. The game was a fitting tribute to memorable Dodgers postseason moments, intertwining the narratives of the 2024 and 2018 World Series teams.
Shohei Ohtani’s Record-Breaking Night
While Freeman delivered the final blow, Shohei Ohtani was the undisputed engine for the Dodgers offense throughout the marathon game. Ohtani reached base a staggering nine times, setting a new postseason record for reaching base six or more times in a single game and tying an MLB record for reaching base nine times. His incredible stat line included:
- Double
- Home run
- Double
- Home run
- Intentional walk
- Intentional walk
- Intentional walk
- Intentional walk
- Walk
This phenomenal performance, including four intentional walks, showcased the immense respect—and fear—Ohtani commands from opposing teams, particularly after hitting his fifth and seventh extra-base hits in his last two games at Dodger Stadium, as highlighted by ESPN’s coverage. Blue Jays manager John Schneider hinted that this “Barry Bonds-esque” treatment might continue in future games, forcing the Dodgers’ other hitters to step up. Ohtani’s eight postseason home runs tied Corey Seager’s Dodgers franchise record from 2020, and he also became the first player in MLB history with three multi-homer games in a single postseason.
A Rollercoaster Game of Leads and Bullpen Battles
The game itself was a relentless seesaw battle. The Dodgers initially took a 1-0 lead with a Teoscar Hernández solo homer in the second, followed by Ohtani’s first solo shot in the third to make it 2-0. However, the Blue Jays quickly countered in the fourth, scoring four runs courtesy of a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walk, a Bo Bichette error by Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman, an Alejandro Kirk three-run homer, and an Andrés Giménez sacrifice fly, giving Toronto a 4-2 lead.
The Dodgers responded in the fifth, tying the game at 4-4 with an Ohtani double scoring Kiké Hernández, and a Freddie Freeman single bringing home Ohtani. Toronto reclaimed the lead in the seventh with a Bo Bichette single, highlighted by an incredible tag-avoiding slide and savvy base running from Guerrero Jr. Ohtani, ever the equalizer, answered immediately with his second home run of the night, a 406-foot blast, tying the game at 5-5.
The bullpen arms then took over, delivering ten consecutive scoreless innings from the eighth through the 17th. Both starting pitchers, Tyler Glasnow (4.2 IP, 4 R, 2 ER) and Max Scherzer (4.1 IP, 3 ER), exited early, forcing an extensive bullpen battle. The Dodgers’ rookie Will Klein delivered a career-high four scoreless innings on 72 pitches, maintaining 98 mph velocity even on his last batter. Similarly, the Blue Jays’ Eric Lauer pitched 4 2/3 impressive innings. These unexpected performances from lesser-known relievers were critical in prolonging the game.
Veteran Leadership and Unsung Heroes
The extra innings also featured poignant moments, including an appearance by longtime Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Called from the bullpen in the top of the 12th with two outs and the bases loaded, the 37-year-old southpaw induced a weak groundout from Nathan Lukes to end the threat. This dramatic relief appearance, his first extra-inning outing in an 18-year career, could potentially be the final pitch for the future Hall of Famer, who is expected to retire at the end of the series.
Other notable plays included Tommy Edman’s redemption for an earlier error, making a perfect throw to cut down Isaiah Kiner-Falefa attempting to take third in the 14th inning. And fans were on the edge of their seats in the 13th when the Blue Jays intentionally walked Ohtani and Mookie Betts to load the bases for Freeman, who then flew out to deep center field, narrowly missing a second consecutive World Series walk-off grand slam. The strategic maneuvers by both managers, Dave Roberts and John Schneider, demonstrated the high stakes involved.
Lingering Questions and Game 4 Outlook
The aftermath of Game 3 leaves both teams with significant challenges. The Blue Jays used 19 pitchers, completely depleting their bullpen. Manager John Schneider even admitted he was prepared to turn to Shane Bieber, their Game 4 starter, if the game had continued past Brendon Little. This raises serious questions about Toronto’s pitching depth for the critical Game 4.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers also pushed their bullpen to the brink, with ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto warming up in the 18th inning, just two days after throwing a 105-pitch complete game. The willingness of both teams to use their top starters in relief underscores the intensity and importance of this World Series. Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, with Shohei Ohtani slated to pitch for the Dodgers against Shane Bieber.
Further concerns for Toronto include the injury status of designated hitter George Springer, who exited in the seventh inning due to right side discomfort after tweaking something on a swing. He underwent an MRI, and his availability for Game 4 remains uncertain, a significant blow for the Blue Jays. On a brighter note for Los Angeles, Mookie Betts was honored before the game with the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing his outstanding character and community involvement, making him the fourth Dodger to receive the prestigious award.
The stage is now set for a compelling Game 4, with both teams needing to regroup after such an exhausting and historic contest. The Dodgers hold a narrow 2-1 series lead, but the toll of Game 3 on their pitching staffs will surely impact the remainder of the series.
