Dodgers Edge Blue Jays in Extra-Inning Thriller to Capture Second Straight World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays came within outs of ending their 32-year championship drought, but the Los Angeles Dodgers once again found a way to win when it mattered most. In a dramatic Game 7 on Saturday night at Rogers Centre, the Dodgers rallied from behind to clinch a 5-4 victory in 11 innings, capturing their second consecutive World Series title.

Los Angeles’ comeback began in the ninth inning, when veteran infielder Miguel Rojas tied the game with a solo home run off closer Jeff Hoffman. Two innings later, catcher Will Smith provided the decisive blow with a solo homer that silenced a sold-out Toronto crowd. The Dodgers’ win capped off a postseason defined by resilience, timely hitting, and dominant pitching.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was named World Series MVP, delivered another remarkable performance. On zero days’ rest after throwing 96 pitches in Game 6, the Japanese ace retired the final eight batters to end Game 7. His postseason numbers were historic — a 5-1 record, 1.45 ERA, and only one walk in 37⅓ innings — solidifying his status as one of the most dominant arms in baseball.

For the Blue Jays, it was a crushing conclusion to a breakthrough season. Toronto, which returned to the World Series for the first time since 1993, led multiple times in Game 7 but was unable to close it out. Despite the heartbreak, the run reinforced the team’s return to relevance on baseball’s biggest stage.

1. Scherzer Shines Early, but Dodgers Find Late Answers

Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer took the ball for Toronto in the decisive game, delivering a strong performance before fatigue and the Dodgers’ persistence began to take hold. The 41-year-old struck out three and allowed just one run across 4⅓ innings, keeping the Blue Jays ahead through the middle frames. His command was sharp early — 34 of his 54 pitches went for strikes — and he retired nine of the first ten batters he faced. Scherzer’s only blemish came in the fourth inning, when Rojas singled and eventually scored to bring Los Angeles within one. His final pitch of the night — a single to Rojas in the fifth — drew a standing ovation from Toronto fans, many aware that this could have been one of his final outings. Across his two World Series starts, Scherzer recorded a 6:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and showed flashes of the dominance that defined his career. After the game, he addressed speculation about retirement, hinting that he’s not finished yet. “I’ll give a full answer on that later,” Scherzer said. “But I just don’t see how that’s the last pitch I’ve ever thrown.” His effort reflected the leadership and experience that made him one of baseball’s fiercest competitors over 18 seasons. Even in defeat, Scherzer’s determination and composure underscored the professionalism that has defined his Hall of Fame-caliber career.

2. A Resilient Year for Scherzer and Toronto

The 2025 season was a turbulent one for Scherzer, who signed a one-year, $15 million deal with Toronto in the offseason. Over 17 starts, he posted a 5.19 ERA, striking out 82 batters in 85 innings. His regular season ended unevenly — a 9.00 ERA in his final six starts — but he rediscovered his rhythm in October, finishing the postseason with a 3.77 ERA across three outings. Scherzer’s career résumé speaks for itself: a 3.22 ERA, three Cy Young Awards, eight All-Star selections, and two previous World Series rings. His performance this postseason reminded teams across the league that, even at 41, his competitive drive and tactical mastery remain elite. Now entering free agency, his future will be one of the offseason’s most-watched storylines. For Toronto, the loss marked the end of an inspiring resurgence. After finishing last in 2024, the Blue Jays captured the AL East title and stormed through October, led by strong pitching and clutch hitting from stars like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Despite the heartbreak, the experience could serve as a launching point for future contention. While the sting of defeat will linger, the franchise reestablished itself as a legitimate World Series contender. With a young core and a renewed sense of belief, Toronto’s window of opportunity appears far from closed.

3. Dodgers’ Dynasty, Blue Jays’ Hope

For Los Angeles, the Game 7 win cemented a burgeoning dynasty. With Yamamoto, Will Smith, and Mookie Betts leading the way, the Dodgers have now won back-to-back titles and four in the past decade — a testament to their depth, adaptability, and consistency on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays’ journey to the brink of a championship marked a powerful step forward. Manager John Schneider’s group showcased resilience, chemistry, and star power, pushing one of baseball’s elite franchises to the limit in a classic seven-game battle. Though the season ended one swing short of triumph, Toronto’s performance throughout the postseason proved that its young core can compete with the game’s best. The offseason will bring questions — including Scherzer’s status and key roster decisions — but also optimism that the club’s best days are still ahead. *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir=“auto” tabindex="-1" data-turn-id=“request-690591a4-205c-8320-a1a2-4eb74a1fcaf3-5” data-testid=“conversation-turn-72” data-scroll-anchor=“true” data-turn=“assistant”>

The Dodgers’ extra-inning victory sealed a second straight World Series title and denied Toronto a long-awaited championship, but the Blue Jays’ deep run and Scherzer’s enduring grit offered hope for the seasons to come.