After a historic 18-inning Game 3 pushed them to a 2-1 deficit, the Toronto Blue Jays face a daunting Game 4 against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers, plagued by injuries and an overworked bullpen, turning previous fan chants against Ohtani into ironic regret.
The 2025 World Series has delivered drama, heroics, and an 18-inning marathon that will be etched into baseball lore. Now, with the Los Angeles Dodgers holding a precarious 2-1 series lead, all eyes turn to Game 4, a pivotal matchup featuring Shohei Ohtani on the mound for the Dodgers. For Toronto Blue Jays fans, what was once a defiant chant of “we don’t need you” aimed at Ohtani earlier in the series, has become a bitter and ironic twist of fate as their team faces an uphill battle against one of baseball’s most dominant forces.
The Marathon That Was Game 3
Game 3 was a spectacle of endurance, stretching to an astonishing 18 innings and lasting 6 hours and 39 minutes. It culminated in a thrilling 6-5 victory for the Dodgers, sealed by a Freddie Freeman walk-off home run. This epic contest left both teams visibly fatigued, but the repercussions for the Blue Jays were particularly severe.
Beyond the final score, Shohei Ohtani delivered a legendary performance at the plate in Game 3. He reached base an astounding nine times, setting a new postseason record. In his first four plate appearances, he hammered four extra-base hits, before being intentionally walked five straight times. This offensive display underscored just how desperately the Blue Jays might regret their earlier taunts, especially considering what was to come in Game 4. It was Max Scherzer who started Game 3 for the Dodgers, allowing Ohtani to focus solely on his hitting before his next pitching appearance. For a deeper dive into the historic Game 3, fans can review the full recap on Yahoo Sports.
Shohei Ohtani: The Unantagonizable Force
The stage is now set for Shohei Ohtani to command the Fall Classic from the mound in Game 4. His last pitching outing was a masterful performance in Game 4 of the NLCS, where he struck out 10 batters over six innings to close out the Milwaukee Brewers. During that same game, he also famously hit three home runs, leading many analysts to label it “the greatest game ever played by a baseball player”, according to Yahoo Sports.
His postseason pitching record is equally formidable, with 19 strikeouts across 12 innings while allowing just five hits. In the regular season, Ohtani posted a remarkable 1.90 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), a stat that measures a pitcher’s “deserved” ERA, showcasing his elite capabilities on the mound. For context, even a strong pitcher like Paul Skenes recorded a FIP of 2.36 in the same season. The Dodgers gain a tremendous advantage with Ohtani’s dual-threat prowess, especially with their bullpen comparatively rested thanks to Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s complete game in Game 2.
Blue Jays’ Steep Ascent: Fatigue, Injuries, and a Beleaguered Bullpen
While the Dodgers ride the momentum of their Game 3 victory and Ohtani’s start, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a precarious position. The 18-inning marathon severely taxed their bullpen, which was already identified as the team’s weak link. Manager John Schneider deployed eight pitchers in Game 3 alone. Key relief arms like Louis Varland have thrown 33 pitches in the last three days, Jeff Hoffman 41, and Braydon Fisher is up to 56 pitches over four days in the series after appearing in all three games. Eric Lauer (68 pitches) and Seranthony Dominguez (40 pitches in series) will be limited or unavailable. This heavy usage means the bullpen is now facing the Dodgers’ formidable lineup for the third or fourth time already in the series.
Adding to Toronto’s woes are significant injury concerns. Star slugger George Springer left Game 3 with a side injury and has been confirmed out of the starting lineup for Game 4, a critical blow to their offense. Furthermore, Bo Bichette is reportedly playing hurt, impacting his performance on the bases and in the field.
For Game 4, the Blue Jays will counter with starting pitcher Shane Bieber, who faces immense pressure to deliver length. Bieber has been on a short leash throughout the season, throwing only 40 innings over seven regular-season starts and 12.1 innings across four postseason starts. If Bieber struggles early, Schneider will be forced to turn to an already exhausted bullpen. The implications extend to Game 5, where rookie Trey Yesavage, who lasted only four innings in Game 1 and is making just his eighth career start, is slated to pitch in a potential elimination game. The burden on Toronto’s pitching staff to cover extended innings against the Dodgers’ deep lineup is daunting.
The Unpredictability of October Baseball
Despite the Dodgers’ clear advantages—a better-rested bullpen due to Yamamoto’s complete game, home-field advantage for Game 4, and the formidable presence of Ohtani on the mound—the unpredictability of postseason baseball cannot be overstated. Yahoo Sports’ Jordan Shusterman highlighted that while the Dodgers won a game, not the series, the “repercussions that this game is going to have for the rest of the series” are undeniable.
However, not all analysts see a clear-cut advantage. Jake Mintz of the “Baseball Bar-B-Cast” offered a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the Blue Jays might hold a “very small advantage” in Game 4 simply because their starter, Shane Bieber, did not have to play in the exhaustive Game 3. Additionally, the Dodgers’ offense has struggled with runners in scoring position this series, going just 6-for-24, indicating they’ve left plenty of runs on the table.
While the Dodgers’ series probability stands at 75-80% with a 60% chance of winning Game 4, according to Yahoo Sports, the Blue Jays’ lineup could defy expectations. Bieber could deliver a much-needed long outing, or their beleaguered bullpen might rally for just enough innings to secure a win and force the series back to Toronto. Manager John Schneider’s defiant stance—”the Dodgers did not win the World Series tonight, they won a game”—captures the spirit of a team refusing to concede.
As Game 4 approaches, the narrative extends beyond stats and matchups. It’s a testament to endurance, a battle against fatigue, and for Toronto fans, a poignant reminder of words spoken too soon. Whether Shohei Ohtani delivers another historic performance or the resilient Blue Jays manage to stave off elimination, this World Series continues to captivate, proving that in October, anything can happen.
