The 2025 World Series is heating up! Following a 1-1 split in Toronto where the Blue Jays showcased their power and Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a masterpiece, the Los Angeles Dodgers took a crucial 2-1 series lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in a grueling 18-inning Game 3, thanks to Freddie Freeman’s walk-off heroics and a historic night from Shohei Ohtani.
The 2025 World Series has quickly evolved into an instant classic, with the Los Angeles Dodgers now holding a 2-1 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. After splitting the first two games north of the border, the Fall Classic shifted to Dodger Stadium, where Game 3 delivered a marathon performance that will be etched into baseball history, culminating in an unforgettable walk-off moment for the home team.
Toronto’s Roaring Start: Game 1’s Unforgettable Moments
The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off the World Series with an emphatic statement, securing a decisive 11-4 victory in Game 1. Their offensive onslaught captivated fans, featuring powerful two-run home runs from Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk. The real headline-grabber, however, was rookie Addison Barger.
Barger etched his name into baseball lore by hitting the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history during a nine-run sixth inning that also set multiple franchise postseason records for runs, hits, and hitters sent to the plate. This historic blast was made even more legendary by the revelation that Barger had been sleeping on teammate Davis Schneider’s pull-out couch for good luck.
The excitement surrounding the Blue Jays’ first World Series appearance in 32 years was palpable across Toronto. The CN Tower shone blue and gold, Niagara Falls was illuminated in team colors, and thousands gathered for free watch parties at Nathan Phillips Square and Aga Khan Park, creating an electric atmosphere that signaled Toronto’s readiness for baseball’s biggest stage.
Yamamoto’s Masterclass Evens the Series in Game 2
The Los Angeles Dodgers responded emphatically in Game 2, evening the series with a commanding 5-1 victory. The performance was largely due to a pitching masterpiece from Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He threw a consecutive complete game at Rogers Centre, stifling the Blue Jays’ powerful offense and allowing only a single run.
On the offensive side for the Dodgers, Will Smith made a significant impact, driving in three runs including a crucial solo homer that gave his team a 2-1 lead. Max Muncy also contributed a solo shot, extending the Dodgers’ advantage, while Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages capitalized on Blue Jays miscues to score additional runs.
The pre-game festivities in Toronto were star-studded, with performances by the Jonas Brothers, national anthems sung by Bebe Rexha and Alessia Cara, and appearances by celebrities like Annie Murphy. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted the global nature of this year’s Fall Classic, noting the international talent, including Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, and the return to Canada. Amidst the hype, Blue Jays legend Joe Carter drew parallels between the current team’s cohesiveness and chemistry and his World Series-winning squads of the early ’90s.
An Epic Marathon in Los Angeles: Game 3 Goes 18 Innings
When the series shifted to Dodger Stadium, Game 3 delivered a spectacle for the ages, ultimately going 18 innings before the Dodgers clinched a dramatic 6-5 victory. The marathon contest, lasting 6 hours and 39 minutes, tied a World Series record for the longest game in Fall Classic history, a testament to the relentless fight from both teams.
The hero of the night for the Dodgers was Freddie Freeman, who launched a walk-off home run off lefty Brendon Little in the bottom of the 18th, sending the Los Angeles crowd into a frenzy and giving his team a crucial 2-1 series lead. It was a fitting end to a game filled with incredible moments, including a phenomenal performance from Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani delivered a historic night, reaching base an astonishing nine times—a postseason record—and recording four extra-base hits, making him only the second player in World Series history to achieve such a feat. He was also intentionally walked four times, setting another postseason record. The game was a whirlwind of action, featuring six runners thrown out on the bases and a peculiar pickoff of Bo Bichette by Tyler Glasnow, who mistook a strike call for a walk.
The pitching staffs were put to the ultimate test, with the Dodgers setting a new World Series game record by using 10 pitchers, including veteran Clayton Kershaw in relief. Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer battled, but the game evolved into a bullpen chess match. The Blue Jays also faced challenges, emptying their bench and seeing George Springer exit with an injury after a seventh-inning plate appearance. Throughout the night, both teams squandered multiple opportunities to break the 5-5 tie, creating a tension that only grew with each extra inning.
Historically, winning Game 3 after a 1-1 series tie proves to be a significant advantage. Teams that win Game 3 have gone on to win the series 70 of 101 times, or 69.3%, according to MLB.com’s official statistics. In the current 2-3-2 format, home teams winning Game 3 have secured the series 60.4% of the time, statistics often compiled by Elias Sports Bureau. This bodes well for the Dodgers as they look to capitalize on their hard-fought victory.
What’s Next for the Fall Classic?
With the Dodgers leading 2-1, the pressure mounts on both sides. Game 4 promises another thrilling matchup with Shohei Ohtani taking the mound for the Dodgers—a rare two-way performance in the World Series—against the Blue Jays’ Shane Bieber.
The series will remain in Los Angeles for Game 4 and, if necessary, Game 5, before potentially returning to Toronto. The fan community remains deeply invested, with players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. receiving over 80 ticket requests, highlighting the immense excitement surrounding this World Series. As George Springer succinctly put it regarding the “we don’t need you” chants directed at Ohtani in Game 1, “at the end of the day, Shohei Ohtani is an unbelievable baseball player. So, any team that he’s on will be, it’d be awesome. But, you know, he’s over there and not here.” The narrative now shifts to whether the Blue Jays can reclaim momentum or if the Dodgers will extend their lead on home turf.
