Dodgers Win Back-to-Back World Series Titles in Extra-Inning Thriller Over Blue Jays

When the final out of Game 7 landed in Freddie Freeman’s glove, the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a remarkable repeat as World Series champions — though their iconic pitcher, Clayton Kershaw, initially didn’t realize it. The veteran left-hander was warming in the bullpen, preparing for a potential call when he turned to see a ground ball start a double play that sealed a 5–4 victory. Only after bullpen coach Josh Bard shouted, “We just won the World Series!” did the moment sink in.

The Dodgers’ triumph came after a relentless 11-inning duel at Rogers Centre, where late-game heroics and improbable resilience defined a series for the ages. Down a run in the ninth, shortstop Miguel Rojas tied the game with a solo home run, and catcher Will Smith delivered the decisive blow in the 11th with a towering shot off Shane Bieber.

In between, Los Angeles relied on a patchwork rotation of stars — Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — who combined to shoulder the heavy load of a grueling postseason. Fittingly, Yamamoto, who pitched on zero days’ rest and shut down Toronto across multiple innings, earned World Series MVP honors.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Kershaw said postgame, reflecting on the team’s journey and his final night as a Dodger. “I’m just so grateful.”

1. Yamamoto’s Grit and Greatness Define Game 7

No player better embodied the Dodgers’ perseverance than Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Less than 24 hours after throwing six innings in Game 6, the Japanese right-hander volunteered to pitch again, delivering two scoreless innings and escaping multiple jams. His combination of calm, precision, and power left teammates and coaches in awe. “His stuff was as sharp tonight as it was yesterday,” said team president Andrew Friedman. “It’s absolutely mind-blowing.” Manager Dave Roberts called Yamamoto’s performance “unheard of,” crediting his flawless mechanics and unshakable will. The Dodgers’ rotation strategy throughout the series was as daring as it was effective. Ohtani started Game 7 on three days’ rest before Glasnow and Snell took over in short bursts. Each contributed critical outs before Yamamoto’s improbable encore performance sealed the title. By the end of the night, Yamamoto’s heroics had rewritten the definition of postseason endurance — and cemented his place in franchise lore.

2. A Season of Struggles, a Postseason of Redemption

This championship did not come easily. The Dodgers faced adversity from the start — a rash of pitching injuries, offensive slumps, and a modest 93-win regular season that barely secured the division crown. Yet when the calendar turned to October, their championship pedigree resurfaced. In the postseason, the Dodgers stormed through the Reds, Phillies, and Brewers, riding dominant starts from Ohtani, Snell, Glasnow, and Yamamoto. Their combined 1.36 ERA over three series powered Los Angeles to its fifth World Series appearance in nine years. Still, Toronto proved their toughest test, pushing L.A. to the brink in a grueling seven-game battle. Friedman summed up the team’s resilience simply: “This was not easy. But they found ways to win baseball games when it mattered most.” Through injuries and inconsistency, the Dodgers’ depth and determination carried them — and in the end, experience and composure prevailed over a hungry Blue Jays squad.

3. Rojas, Smith, and Defensive Magic Seal the Crown

If Yamamoto was the heartbeat of the Dodgers’ pitching staff, Miguel Rojas was its soul. After struggling throughout the postseason, the veteran infielder delivered one of the biggest swings of his career with a ninth-inning home run to tie Game 7. Moments later, he made a game-saving off-balance throw home to preserve the tie in the bottom of the frame. In the 11th, Will Smith’s go-ahead blast gave Los Angeles its first lead since the fifth inning. The Blue Jays threatened again, but Mookie Betts started a game-ending double play that triggered a wave of celebration across the diamond. Freeman’s final catch sealed not only a championship but also the end of an era — as Kershaw, the face of a generation, rode off into retirement with his fourth ring and a legacy fully intact. “This was everything we worked for,” said Roberts, holding back tears. “We’ve been called a regular-season team before. Not anymore.”