The Los Angeles Dodgers staved off elimination by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 6 of the World Series, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 after a stunning ninth-inning double play extinguished Toronto’s late rally. This dramatic victory sets the stage for a climactic finale to the 2025 MLB season.
Facing a must-win situation with the Blue Jays holding a 3-2 series lead, the Dodgers relied on a stellar performance from starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Over six innings, Yamamoto limited Toronto to just one run, striking out six batters and effectively neutralizing a potent Blue Jays lineup that had troubled Los Angeles pitchers throughout the series. His ability to command the game under pressure provided the foundation for the Dodgers’ crucial win, continuing his impressive postseason run with a 1.27 ERA in World Series starts.
Los Angeles broke through in the third inning against Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, who had been dominant aside from this frame. After Will Smith’s RBI double opened the scoring, Mookie Betts delivered a key two-run single with the bases loaded, marking one of the few multi-run innings for the Dodgers in the series. Betts, who had been struggling offensively and was moved down in the batting order, came through in a critical moment to give his team a 3-0 lead, showcasing his resilience under pressure.
The Blue Jays responded in the bottom of the third when George Springer, playing through apparent discomfort, drove in a run with a single. However, Toronto struggled to capitalize further against Yamamoto and the Dodgers’ bullpen, leaving runners on base in several innings and failing to mount a significant threat until the final frame. Gausman settled down after the third, retiring his final 10 batters, but the early damage proved insurmountable without more offensive support.
In a tense ninth inning, the Blue Jays mounted a desperate rally against Dodgers closer Roki Sasaki. Addison Barger hit a deep double to center field that became lodged under the outfield wall, resulting in a ground-rule double that placed runners on second and third with no outs. The situation escalated when Tyler Glasnow entered the game and induced a pop-out and a fly ball, but the inning ended abruptly when Kiké Hernández caught a fly ball in left field and threw to second base, doubling off Barger who had strayed too far from the bag.
This baserunning miscue proved costly for Toronto, extinguishing their best chance to tie or win the game. Hernández’s heads-up play and accurate throw capped a defensive gem that preserved the Dodgers’ victory and extended the series, with the Rogers Centre crowd left stunned by the sudden turn of events. Barger, who had been a postseason hero for the Blue Jays, acknowledged the mistake, while Hernández credited his positioning and instinct for the game-saving moment.
With the series now tied 3-3, both teams prepare for a high-stakes Game 7. The Dodgers are expected to start Shohei Ohtani on short rest, while the Blue Jays will counter with veteran Max Scherzer. Both managers have indicated that nearly all pitchers will be available, including Glasnow and Shane Bieber, setting the stage for a potential bullpen game with multiple strategic moves throughout the contest.
The outcome of Game 7 will determine whether the Blue Jays capture their first World Series title since 1993 or the Dodgers repeat as champions after winning last year. This back-and-forth series has featured dramatic moments and standout performances, culminating in a finale that promises to be a memorable conclusion to the MLB season, with both franchises aiming to etch their names in baseball history.