Blue Jays’ Missed Chances and Costly Error Force Game 7 Against Dodgers

The Toronto Blue Jays entered Game 6 of the 2025 World Series on the brink of history. Up 3–2 in the series and returning home to a roaring Rogers Centre crowd, the team had a golden chance to capture its first championship since 1993. Two straight road wins had swung momentum Toronto’s way, and optimism filled the stadium as the Blue Jays took the field against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

But what could have been a coronation turned into heartbreak. Toronto fell 3–1 on Friday night, unable to capitalize on key scoring opportunities in the late innings. Instead of celebrating a long-awaited title, the Blue Jays now face the pressure of a Game 7 showdown to decide baseball’s ultimate prize.

The loss wasn’t the result of a single player’s mistake, but rather a combination of bad luck and misjudgment. From a ground-rule double that halted a rally to a costly baserunning error that ended it, Game 6 was a painful reminder of baseball’s unpredictability — and how quickly fortune can change in October.

Still, the Blue Jays have shown resilience all season long, overcoming adversity to reach this stage. Now, with one game left to play, they must summon that same resolve to finish what they started.

1. Ninth-Inning Chaos Ends in Crushing Double Play

The drama of Game 6 peaked in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 3–1, the Blue Jays caught a break when Roki Sasaki hit Alejandro Kirk with a pitch, putting the potential tying run at the plate. Up stepped Addison Barger, Toronto’s breakout postseason performer, who entered the game batting over .300 with a 1.009 OPS. Barger battled Sasaki through a tense at-bat before connecting on a high fastball, driving it deep toward left field. Rogers Centre erupted as the ball soared — but instead of clearing the fence, it lodged itself under the padding on the wall. The umpires ruled it a ground-rule double, sending pinch-runner Myles Straw back to third base. That ruling changed everything. With no outs and the tying runs in scoring position, the Dodgers brought in Tyler Glasnow, typically a starter, to close. Glasnow quickly induced a pop-up from Ernie Clement, then faced Andres Gimenez in a critical at-bat. Gimenez lifted a shallow fly ball to left, and as Kike Hernández made the catch, Barger strayed too far off second base. Hernández rifled the ball to Miguel Rojas, doubling Barger off and ending Toronto’s rally — and the game. It was a stunning conclusion, one that left the home crowd in disbelief as the Dodgers celebrated forcing a Game 7.

2. Barger’s Misstep Overshadows His Breakout Postseason

Barger’s aggressive baserunning instantly became the talking point of the night. The 25-year-old, who has been a major factor in Toronto’s playoff run, appeared to misread the fly ball off Gimenez’s bat. Perhaps anticipating it would drop, Barger took too large a lead off the base, only to be caught when Hernández made the routine catch. It was an unfortunate lapse for a player who has otherwise thrived under postseason pressure. Barger has provided clutch hits throughout October, scoring key runs and emerging as one of the Blue Jays’ most dependable bats. His offensive performance — a 1.009 OPS in 56 postseason at-bats — underscores how vital he’s been to Toronto’s success. Yet baseball’s cruel symmetry often spares no one. Just as George Springer stood on deck — one of the game’s best playoff hitters — Barger’s miscue closed the door on the inning and the game. It was a moment of inexperience that came at the worst possible time, erasing the team’s last hope of clinching the title at home. Veterans like Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are expected to rally their young teammate before Game 7. Toronto knows one mistake doesn’t define a season — but it can serve as a powerful lesson heading into the franchise’s biggest game in decades.

3. Gausman Solid, but Offense Falls Short Again

For starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, Game 6 was a case of déjà vu. Once again, the veteran right-hander delivered a solid outing but lacked the run support needed to secure a win. Facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Gausman held the Dodgers in check for most of the night but faltered in the third inning — the only frame Los Angeles needed to build its 3–1 lead. Yamamoto, meanwhile, showcased the poise and precision that have defined his postseason. The Dodgers’ ace limited Toronto’s offense, scattering hits and striking out six over six innings. The Blue Jays never managed to apply sustained pressure, continuing a troubling trend from earlier in the series. Despite the loss, Toronto’s pitching staff kept the game within reach. The bullpen handled late innings effectively, setting up the stage for the ninth-inning rally that never came. But without timely hitting, the Blue Jays couldn’t capitalize. As they prepare for Game 7, the formula is clear: execute at the plate and avoid costly mistakes. Their pitching has been dependable, but to finally end a 32-year championship drought, Toronto’s bats — and focus — must rise to the occasion.