Kevin Gausman Shines Early, But Dodgers’ Bats Erupt to Extend World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays entered Game 6 of the World Series with a chance to make history. Leading the Los Angeles Dodgers three games to two, they were one win away from claiming their first championship since 1993. With the title within reach, manager John Schneider handed the ball to veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, the steady, seasoned presence who had been reliable all year.

The pressure was immense — not just for Toronto, but for Gausman himself. The Dodgers, defending champions and postseason veterans, had shown resilience all October. On the other side stood Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles’ ace and postseason standout, who had already gone the distance once in the series. For much of the baseball world, the Game 6 matchup represented a duel between two of the game’s sharpest arms.

Yet as the first inning began, Gausman stole the spotlight. The two-time All-Star delivered a masterclass in command and movement, setting an immediate tone for the Blue Jays. He struck out Shohei Ohtani to start the game, then proceeded to fan Will Smith and Freddie Freeman — all swinging — in a dazzling opening statement.

By the end of the first frame, Gausman had thrown 16 pitches, 11 of them splitters. Eight drew swings; seven missed entirely. The Dodgers, one of baseball’s most disciplined lineups, were suddenly grasping at air. Toronto fans could sense something special unfolding at Rogers Centre.

1. Gausman’s Early Dominance

Gausman’s second inning continued in much the same fashion. After coaxing Mookie Betts into a routine groundout, he struck out Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy to end the frame. In just two innings, he had collected five strikeouts — all swinging — and appeared in complete control. His splitter danced with late break, freezing hitters who had thrived all season on timing and precision. The Dodgers’ dugout was visibly tense. Gausman’s mix of splitter and four-seam fastball was working to perfection, keeping the Los Angeles hitters guessing. For Toronto, it was exactly the kind of start they had hoped for — aggressive, efficient, and composed. Meanwhile, Yamamoto was solid but not overpowering. The Dodgers’ ace faced pressure from a Toronto lineup that had capitalized on mistakes throughout the postseason. Still, both starters were locked in, the kind of duel that had defined their earlier meeting in Game 2. That earlier contest had already made history: both pitchers retired at least 17 consecutive batters, the first time such a feat had occurred in a World Series game. Yamamoto had ultimately prevailed, throwing a complete game in a 5–1 Dodgers victory. But Gausman’s performance that night had also earned respect. His start in Game 6 began as if he were ready to settle the score.

2. Dodgers Finally Break Through

But as has often been the case with Los Angeles in recent Octobers, one good inning was all it took to turn the game around. After striking out Kiké Hernández to open the third inning, Gausman began to lose command. A pair of baserunners set the stage for Will Smith, who ripped a double down the left-field line to score Tommy Edman and move Ohtani into scoring position. Moments later, Mookie Betts — who had struggled for most of the series — delivered a sharp two-run single into left-center field. In an instant, the Dodgers had erased Toronto’s momentum and built a 3–0 lead. For the first time in the game, Gausman looked human. Still, the veteran refused to unravel. After yielding the big hits, he regrouped and struck out the next two batters, ending the inning with his eighth strikeout of the night. Six of them had come on swinging strikes, evidence that his stuff remained sharp even as Los Angeles adjusted. The sequence was a reminder of baseball’s razor-thin margins: two perfectly placed hits separated dominance from defeat. Toronto’s early energy had quieted, while the Dodgers dugout buzzed with renewed life. The defending champions were still alive — and they had found their rhythm at the plate when it mattered most.

3. A Duel Rekindled and a Series Extended

As the game progressed, the spotlight returned to the mound battle that had defined the series. Gausman and Yamamoto had already etched their names into World Series lore in Game 2, and their Game 6 duel only added to that narrative. Both pitchers demonstrated poise and resilience, adapting on the fly in a game where one mistake could swing momentum entirely. For Gausman, his early brilliance underscored why Toronto trusted him with the season on the line. The veteran’s splitter-heavy approach was nearly unhittable through two innings, and even after the Dodgers’ surge, he continued to compete. His ability to stay composed kept Toronto within reach, even as Los Angeles looked to seize control. Yamamoto, meanwhile, provided the stability the Dodgers needed once they took the lead. He kept the Blue Jays in check, relying on his command and consistency to protect Los Angeles’ advantage. As the innings unfolded, the tension at Rogers Centre grew — both teams aware that one swing, one pitch, or one mistake could determine whether the series would end or continue. Ultimately, Gausman’s dazzling start gave way to a Dodgers comeback fueled by timely hitting and perseverance. Toronto had come within reach of a championship, but Los Angeles refused to let its reign end quietly.