Dodgers Force Game 7 Behind Pitching Grit, Eye Shohei Ohtani to Start Decisive Finale

Facing elimination and a raucous crowd in Toronto, the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a gritty 3–1 win in Game 6 of the World Series on Friday night to force a winner-take-all finale. A flurry of hits in the third inning provided the early cushion, while steady pitching and a touch of late-game fortune helped the defending champions survive.

It was a tense night for both teams, who have traded blows throughout a tightly contested series. For Los Angeles, the victory meant more than just staying alive — it was a statement of resilience from a roster that has battled through fatigue, bullpen strain, and mounting pressure.

The Dodgers’ ability to hold the Blue Jays’ high-powered offense to a single run underscored their pitching depth and defensive execution. “It’s do-or-die baseball, and our guys answered the call,” manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “Now it’s one game for everything.”

With the win, the Dodgers tied the series 3–3 and ensured that the 2025 World Series will end with a decisive Game 7 on Saturday night in Toronto — a fitting conclusion to a heavyweight matchup that has showcased both teams’ endurance and adaptability.

1. Glasnow’s Clutch Relief Highlights Dodgers’ Pitching Depth

Game 6 evolved into yet another chess match between two exhausted pitching staffs. After the 18-inning marathon in Game 3 depleted both bullpens, every inning since has been a balancing act for managers Dave Roberts and John Schneider. On Friday, Roberts’ strategy again proved decisive. Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave Los Angeles five strong innings before the Dodgers turned to their relievers. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski bridged the middle frames, and when the Blue Jays threatened late, Roberts made a bold move — bringing in Tyler Glasnow, a projected Game 7 starter, to close the game. The gamble worked. Glasnow induced two weak fly balls to seal the win and preserve the 3–1 advantage, providing the Dodgers with a massive momentum swing heading into Saturday. “Tyler wanted the ball — he told me before the game he was ready for any role,” Roberts said. “That’s what it takes this time of year.” Now, with Glasnow’s availability limited after the relief outing, Los Angeles will turn elsewhere for Game 7. That decision appears to point directly toward Shohei Ohtani, who looms as the Dodgers’ most intriguing and unconventional option.

2. Ohtani Expected to Take the Ball for Game 7

According to multiple reports, including Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Dodgers are planning to start Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 despite the two-way superstar being on short rest. Ohtani last pitched in Game 4 on Tuesday, meaning he’ll have just three days of recovery — all while continuing to serve as the team’s designated hitter during the off-days. Ohtani’s rare endurance and versatility make him the logical choice. The 30-year-old is expected to start on the mound and, under MLB’s two-way player rules, could remain in the lineup as a DH even after exiting as a pitcher. This flexibility gives Roberts more room to maneuver his bench and bullpen in the late innings. While fatigue could be a concern, Ohtani has already proven capable of rising to historic moments. In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, he struck out 10 over six scoreless innings and hit three home runs in the same game — one of the greatest postseason performances in baseball history. Ohtani wasn’t as dominant in his last start against the Blue Jays, giving up a solo homer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but he remains the Dodgers’ best hope to finish the job. “Game 7 is where legends are made,” Roberts said. “There’s no one else we’d rather have out there.”

3. Dodgers and Blue Jays Prepare for Decisive Clash

Both teams enter Game 7 with fatigue setting in and limited pitching options. Toronto will likely counter Ohtani with ace Kevin Gausman on full rest, while the Dodgers will piece together innings behind their two-way star. Every decision — from bullpen matchups to lineup order — will be magnified. For Los Angeles, the opportunity to repeat as champions comes with a chance to further cement their dynasty. For Toronto, it’s a shot at their first World Series title in over three decades — and a chance to complete one of the franchise’s most memorable postseason runs. The Dodgers’ clubhouse after Game 6 was confident but measured. “We’ve been through everything this year — injuries, extra innings, tough losses,” Mookie Betts said. “But we’ve got one more game to prove who we are.” Whether it’s Ohtani’s brilliance, Glasnow’s resilience, or Betts’ leadership, the Dodgers’ season now hinges on one final performance in Toronto — a fitting end to a World Series defined by endurance and drama.