Blue Jays Fall Short in Game 6, Setting Stage for World Series Showdown

The 2025 World Series will now come down to one final game. The Toronto Blue Jays, leading the series 3–2 entering Friday night, were one win away from their first title since 1993. Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers found a way to stay alive, relying on their pitching depth and timely hitting to secure a 3–1 victory at Rogers Centre.

It was a tight contest from the start, with both teams’ aces — Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles and Kevin Gausman for Toronto — matching each other pitch for pitch. The sellout crowd in Toronto roared from the first pitch, eager for a celebration that seemed within reach. But the Dodgers’ early offensive surge and composed bullpen work silenced the home crowd, at least for one night.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider, while disappointed, struck an upbeat tone after the loss. “It’s Game 7 of the World Series at your home stadium,” Schneider said. “What the hell else could you want?” His remark summed up the moment — a mix of frustration and opportunity, as Toronto prepares for the biggest game in franchise history in more than 30 years.

Game 6 was defined by one critical inning — the third — when the Dodgers capitalized on Toronto’s few mistakes. It was enough to flip the game, and the series, back into suspense.

1. Yamamoto Outduels Gausman in Key Third-Inning Rally

The first two innings showcased dominant pitching on both sides. Gausman struck out five of the first six batters he faced, while Yamamoto carved through the Blue Jays’ lineup with precision. Then, in the top of the third, the Dodgers broke through — and never looked back. With two outs and a runner on first, Toronto elected to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani, setting up a righty-righty matchup against Dodgers catcher Will Smith. The move backfired immediately: Smith roped a double into the gap in left-center, scoring both runners and giving Los Angeles a 2–0 lead. Mookie Betts, who had struggled earlier in the series but was moved to cleanup for Game 6, followed with a sharp line drive to left, extending the lead to 3–0. Gausman settled down after that, finishing six innings with eight strikeouts and no further damage. But the Blue Jays’ lineup couldn’t capitalize against Yamamoto, who limited Toronto to one run on six hits while striking out six in six efficient innings. For the Dodgers, Yamamoto’s performance marked another postseason milestone — his second consecutive strong start after a complete-game win in Game 2. His poise under pressure kept Los Angeles’ season alive, and his command over Toronto’s top hitters proved decisive.

2. Missed Chances and a Painful Ninth-Inning Collapse

Toronto showed life in the bottom of the third. Rookie infielder Addison Barger doubled with two outs, and George Springer — fighting through right-side soreness from Game 3 — delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3–1. Springer, serving as designated hitter, went 2-for-4 on the night and provided one of the few offensive sparks for the Blue Jays. Despite several baserunners in later innings, Toronto couldn’t sustain momentum. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette both reached base in the sixth, but the Dodgers’ bullpen shut down the rally. Relievers Justin Wrobleski and Roki Sasaki bridged the gap to the ninth inning before manager Dave Roberts made a bold move — bringing in starter Tyler Glasnow to close. The decision nearly unraveled when the Blue Jays threatened one last time in the ninth. Addison Barger’s ground-rule double put runners in scoring position with no outs, bringing the crowd back to life. But Glasnow steadied himself, inducing a pop-up from Ernie Clement and a deep flyout from Andres Gimenez. Then came the crushing final play — Kiké Hernández alertly doubled off Barger at second base to end the game. The rally that could have sealed Toronto’s championship instead ended with silence. The Dodgers celebrated a gritty win, while the Blue Jays were left to regroup for one final test.

3. Everything on the Line in Game 7

The stage is now set for one of baseball’s most dramatic moments: a Game 7 World Series showdown. The Blue Jays will turn to veteran ace Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner seeking one more crowning moment in a storied career. Across the diamond, Los Angeles is expected to counter with Shohei Ohtani, who will likely be available both on the mound and at the plate. Both teams are expected to use multiple starting-caliber arms, reflecting the all-hands-on-deck nature of a deciding game. Toronto will lean on its home-field advantage and a lineup that has delivered clutch hits all postseason. The Dodgers, meanwhile, enter with momentum and confidence after staving off elimination in back-to-back contests. For the Blue Jays, Saturday represents both a chance to end three decades of frustration and a test of resilience after one of their toughest losses of the year. For the Dodgers, it’s another opportunity to add to their dynasty aspirations. As the baseball world turns its attention to Rogers Centre, one thing is certain: by the end of Game 7, a champion will finally be crowned.