The 2025 World Series Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays was an instant classic, stretching 18 innings and cementing its place in baseball history. Featuring a walk-off homer from Freddie Freeman and an astonishing record-setting performance by Shohei Ohtani, this marathon game provided an unforgettable night of bonus baseball, echoing a similar epic from 2018.
Seven years after the Dodgers and Red Sox set an unforgettable record with an 18-inning World Series Game 3, history repeated itself in spectacular fashion. The 2025 Fall Classic saw the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays battle for an astounding 18 innings, a game that transcended mere competition to become a true test of endurance and skill.
This epic contest, which the Dodgers eventually won 6-5, lasted six hours and 39 minutes, securing its place as the second-longest game by time in postseason history. It was a night filled with countless memorable moments and statistical anomalies, none more striking than the heroics of Freddie Freeman and the unparalleled offensive show put on by Shohei Ohtani.
Freeman’s Heroics: A Walk-Off for the Record Books
The decisive blow came from Freddie Freeman, whose walk-off home run in the 18th inning sealed the Dodgers’ victory. This wasn’t Freeman’s first time delivering in such a high-pressure situation; he hit a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series last year. His two postseason walk-off home runs now tie him with legendary players like David Ortiz, Carlos Correa, and Bernie Williams for the most in postseason history. Uniquely, Freeman is the only one among them with two in the World Series, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The Dodgers’ franchise also made history with this win, accumulating four walk-off World Series home runs in total. This achievement ties them with the New York Yankees for the most in baseball, with no other team having even two.
The Shohei Ohtani Show: A Postseason Performance Unrivaled
While Freeman delivered the final dramatic act, Shohei Ohtani’s performance throughout the game was a masterclass in offensive dominance. He reached base an astonishing nine times, setting a new postseason record and tying the MLB record for any game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. This feat surpassed the previous postseason mark by three, placing him in exclusive company with legends like Stan Hack (1942), Johnny Burnett (1932), and Max Carey (1922) for reaching base nine times in a regular-season contest.
Ohtani’s early plate appearances were equally remarkable, featuring four extra-base hits in his first four at-bats. This performance tied him with Frank Isbell (1906 Game 5) for the most extra-base hits in a World Series game. Two of those hits were home runs, marking his third multi-homer game this postseason—a first for any player in a single postseason. His 12 total bases in this game, a mark he also reached in NLCS Game 4, makes him the first player with multiple games of at least 12 total bases in a single postseason since Babe Ruth.
As the game wore on, teams found it increasingly difficult to pitch to Ohtani, leading to five walks, four of which were intentional. He became the first player in postseason history to be intentionally walked four times in a single game. Notably, three of these intentional walks occurred with the bases empty, another postseason first. His eight intentional walks this postseason tie him with 2011 Albert Pujols for the second-most in a single postseason, behind only 2002 Barry Bonds‘ 13. Furthermore, Ohtani’s eight home runs this postseason tie 2020 Corey Seager for the Dodgers’ single-postseason record and are the most ever from the leadoff spot, as detailed by Yahoo Sports.
Endurance on the Diamond: The Sheer Scale of a Marathon Game
Beyond individual brilliance, the collective effort and sheer length of World Series Game 3 generated staggering team statistics. The game featured a combined 19 pitchers, setting a new record for the most used in any postseason game. A colossal 609 pitches were thrown, 48 more than in any other postseason game since at least 2000. These numbers underscore the unprecedented battle waged on the mound and at the plate.
Runners left on base also reached a historic high, with 37 combined, six more than any previous postseason game. The Blue Jays, in particular, left 19 runners on base, marking the most by a single team in World Series history, surpassing the previous record of 15 held by six different teams. The combined 130 at-bats shattered the previous record of 118 set in the 2018 World Series Game 3.
Echoes of 2018: A Familiar Marathon
The 2025 Game 3’s 18 innings tied for the longest game in postseason history, a record it now shares with four other contests, most notably the 2018 World Series Game 3 between the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. That game, lasting seven hours and 20 minutes, remains the longest postseason game by time in MLB history. In 2018, Max Muncy hit the walk-off homer for the Dodgers, a moment that fans now recall as an eerie precursor to Freeman’s 2025 heroics. The 2018 game also saw 46 players used, 18 pitchers, and its total playing time surpassed that of the entire 1939 World Series, as reported by USA TODAY Sports.
Beyond the Box Score: Fan Reactions and Historical Impact
These marathon games don’t just set records; they become legendary for the fans who endure them. The 2025 Game 3, like its 2018 predecessor, will be etched into the memories of baseball enthusiasts for its sheer length, the dramatic swings of momentum, and the individual brilliance displayed under immense pressure. It’s the kind of “bonus baseball” that tests the limits of players and spectators alike, creating stories that will be retold for generations.
For fans, such a game provides a unique blend of exhaustion and exhilaration, a night where every pitch feels critical and every extra inning builds tension to an almost unbearable degree. It reinforces why baseball, with its limitless game clock and potential for unexpected heroics, remains one of the most compelling sports to watch.
The 2025 World Series Game 3 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of baseball and the unforgettable moments it continues to produce. As Shohei Ohtani prepares to start Game 4, the echoes of this epic battle will undoubtedly fuel anticipation for the remainder of the series.
