The Chicago Cubs added some bullpen help Friday, agreeing to a two-year contract with right-hande...

<p>The Chicago Cubs added some bullpen help Friday, agreeing to a two-year contract with right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8432" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8432">Phil Maton</a>, a source told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6828011/2025/11/21/phil-maton-cubs-contract/">Will Sammon of The Athletic</a>. </p><p>Terms of the deal, which contains a 2028 club option, have not been reported.</p><p>Maton split last season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. He posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts over 61 1/3 innings between the two clubs. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 32-year-old has put together a nice nine-year career despite bouncing around in recent seasons, as the Cubs represent his fifth organization since 2023. Maton owns a 3.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 0.8 HR/9 in 202 games over the last three seasons. </p><p>While Maton doesn't light up the radar gun - his cutter averaged 90.6 mph last season - he managed to rank 99th percentile in average exit velocity and hard-hit rate, 98th percentile in whiff rate, and 95th percentile in strikeout rate, per <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/phil-maton-664208?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb">Baseball Savant</a>. Maton did post a 3.38 BB/9 but countered that by posting the 14th-best HR/9 (0.44) among qualified relievers. </p><p>Maton's signing represents the first major addition to a Cubs' bullpen that's seen a number of departures to open the offseason. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8129" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8129">Brad Keller</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2077">Drew Pomeranz</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3466" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3466">Caleb Thielbar</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1813" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1813">Ryan Brasier</a> are free agents, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5892" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5892">Andrew Kittredge</a> was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. </p>

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Phil Maton #88 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Globe Life Field on September 21, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

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Report: Cubs agree to 2-year deal with Phil Maton 

A rain-soaked track made for a chaotic qualifying session Friday at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.   C...

<p>A rain-soaked track made for a chaotic qualifying session Friday at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. </p><p>Championship leader Lando Norris took another step toward winning his first drivers' title by claiming pole position with an incredible lap time of 1:47.934 on his final trip around the circuit in Q3.</p><p>"It was stressful, stressful as hell," Norris said. "It's so slippery out there." </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It's Norris' first career pole in Las Vegas and seventh pole of the season, tying him with Max Verstappen for most in 2025.</p><p>Verstappen will start Saturday's race alongside Norris at the front of the grid in second. The forecast for the race is expected to be clear. </p><p>"It was really, really slippery," Verstappen said. "It's not fun, I can tell you that. I like to drive in the wet, but this was like driving on ice - it took a long time to get the tires to work." </p><p>Oscar Piastri, who entered the weekend 24 points back of his McLaren teammate, qualified more than a second behind Norris and will start fifth. Piastri hasn't finished on the podium since Sept. 7 in Monza.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Las Vegas GP Qualifying 🇺🇸" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-5CbUm" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5CbUm/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="854" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Norris cannot clinch the drivers' title in Las Vegas, but can win it as soon as the Qatar sprint race, depending on Saturday's result. </p><p>Lewis Hamilton's struggles continued. The Ferrari driver was bounced in Q1 and qualified 20th - his worst performance since 2017.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 LEWIS HAMILTON HAS QUALIFIED 20TH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE BRAZIL 2017<br><br>(Not counting DSQs) <a href="https://t.co/Xu1FeDHU9u">pic.twitter.com/Xu1FeDHU9u</a></p>— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1GuyDan/status/1992086034218156289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"Couldn't get the tires to work," Hamilton said over team radio. </p><p>George Russell won the Las Vegas Grand Prix last season when Mercedes finished 1-2. </p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21: Pole position qualifier Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren receives his Pirelli Pole Position award from Louis Tomlinson during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 21, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Norris takes chaotic pole position at rainy Vegas GP

MLB teams had until 5 p.m. ET on Friday to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. Play...

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 25: Boston Red Sox first base Nathaniel Lowe (37) walks to first base during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles on August 25, 2025 at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD.

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MLB non-tender deadline tracker

Reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is set to enter his final season under team con...

<p>Reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11799" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11799">Tarik Skubal</a> is set to enter his final season under team control before reaching free agency. The Detroit Tigers have said they would love to sign the left-hander long term, but there's reportedly a significant gap between the two sides. Skubal is expected to set the new record for a pitcher when he signs his next deal. With the clock ticking on Skubal's free agency, our editors Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb and Brandon Wile debate whether the Tigers should trade their ace this winter.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805118/cropped_GettyImages-2240351607.jpg?ts=1760148033" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805118/w220xh124_GettyImages-2240351607.jpg?ts=1760148033 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805118/w320xh180_GettyImages-2240351607.jpg?ts=1760148033 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805118/w640xh360_GettyImages-2240351607.jpg?ts=1760148033 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805118/w768xh432_GettyImages-2240351607.jpg?ts=1760148033 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805118/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2240351607.jpg?ts=1760148033 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alika Jenner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>No: </strong>Why are we even having this conversation? The very thought of trading the AL's best pitcher at the peak of his powers would be silly for any team, but especially for Detroit.</p><p>The Tigers recently emerged from a decade-long rebuild that netted the franchise a pair of first overall picks. The players they chose with those picks, Casey Mize and Spencer Torkelson, turned into solid contributors. Yet it's Skubal, an unheralded ninth-round selection out of Seattle University in 2018, who's become the homegrown face of the franchise.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Skubal's two Cy Young Awards over the last two seasons don't begin to tell the story. The 28-year-old has transformed Detroit back into a baseball town, leading the Tigers to consecutive playoff berths. The team hasn't advanced beyond the division series, but Skubal's performed brilliantly on the biggest stage, putting up a 2.04 ERA over his six postseason starts.</p><p>So why would you give up a guy like this? Even if the Tigers traded Skubal for a king's ransom that kept them in contention, the mere act of dealing him away would send a terrible message to the players left behind, the fan base, and even star manager A.J. Hinch. It would be unfathomable, and it would take the Tigers out of the running for any big-name free agents.</p><p>And it's not like the Tigers can't afford to re-sign Skubal, even though they <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3373174" href="https://thescore.com/news/3373174">reportedly</a> lowballed him last winter. Detroit routinely fielded top-five payrolls in the 2010s when the team's star-studded rosters were regularly in the postseason. Though Max Scherzer walked away, the Tigers spent big at the time to ensure that Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera stayed in town and even landed Prince Fielder on a nine-year deal in 2012. Owner Chris Ilitch can meet Skubal's price if he wants to.</p><p>The Tigers are a historic franchise with a track record of spending and a talented roster that plays in a very winnable division. Keeping Skubal would ensure a franchise icon stays put, help them potentially own the AL Central for the next half-decade, and send a message to other free agents that they're ready and able to spend on a winner. This is a no-brainer. Skubal should be wearing the Olde English D for as long as possible. <em>- Sharkey-Gotlieb</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805419/cropped_GettyImages-2208190892.jpg?ts=1760373309" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805419/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208190892.jpg?ts=1760373309 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805419/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208190892.jpg?ts=1760373309 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805419/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208190892.jpg?ts=1760373309 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805419/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208190892.jpg?ts=1760373309 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/805419/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208190892.jpg?ts=1760373309 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Yes: </strong>In a perfect world, Skubal signs an extension and is a Tiger for life. But it doesn't appear that it's going to play out that way. Detroit president of baseball operations Scott Harris must have a pretty good idea of what it will take to extend Skubal, and if the Tigers' front office isn't willing to make a competitive offer, it's best to maximize the return for their ace rather than risk losing him for nothing.</p><p>Even rostering Skubal going into the season and maybe flipping him at the deadline is too risky. Not only is there a real threat of injury, but there's no way Skubal's value will be any higher than it is right now.</p><p>Skubal is arguably the heart and soul of this Tigers team. He's their best pitcher, and he's been the key cog in Detroit reaching the postseason two years in a row. Trading a player of that ilk isn't easy, and the front office would have to land a significant package in order to justify the move to the fan base - not to mention the clubhouse.</p><p>The Tigers haven't really spent big since Mike Ilitch's passing. Though they operated with their highest payroll in 2025 in eight years ($145 million), that's not close to the $200-million payrolls they carried in 2016 and 2017. Instead, the club focused on drafting and developing. Now the organization has a solid nucleus in place and a lot of payroll flexibility. The franchise could afford to drop significant money on Skubal, but the team might be better off selling high and then spreading that money around to address the numerous holes on the roster. This would, in theory, give the club a better shot at extending its current competitive window.</p><p>Detroit possesses the No. 6-ranked farm system according to MLB.com, but it's heavy on position players at the top end. Trading Skubal for a package of young and controllable pitchers makes a lot of sense. Harris could also reinvest the roughly $18 million Skubal is set to earn in arbitration this winter to sign a free-agent starter.</p><p>Skubal should have a strong market - even on an expiring deal - as teams that want to sign him next winter will also want a full season to sell him on their club.</p><p>It's not a perfect example, but the San Diego Padres were able to trade Juan Soto - in the final year of his deal - and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees for Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez, and Kyle Higashioka. The Padres then packaged Thorpe in another deal to acquire Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers have already seen that Skubal can only take them so far in the postseason, and they need more star power and depth to take the next step.</p><p>We've seen too many mid- to smaller-market teams mishandle their assets. Trading Skubal would hurt in the short term, but if the Tigers are convinced he's leaving next winter regardless, capitalizing on his trade market is a must in order to extend the club's competitive window. Just look at how the Angels mishandled Shohei Ohtani's final year of free agency and imagine how different that organization might look now if it had traded its greatest asset instead of letting him walk for a compensation draft pick. If the Tigers aren't going to pay Skubal, now is the time to pull the trigger on a trade. <em>- Wile </em></p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Should the Tigers trade Tarik Skubal?

The Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels pulled off an early contender for surprise trade of ...

<p>The Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels pulled off an early contender for surprise trade of the offseason on Tuesday.</p><p>Baltimore dealt right-handed starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12265" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12265">Grayson Rodriguez</a> to Los Angeles for outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5431" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5431">Taylor Ward</a>. </p><p>The Orioles entered the winter in desperate need of rotation help, but ended up trading away one of their best young starters who has four years of team control remaining.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rodriguez, 26, posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts across 116 2/3 innings (20 starts) in 2024. However, he missed the entire 2025 season while dealing with elbow inflammation and a lat strain. He underwent season-ending elbow surgery in August, but is expected to be ready for the start of 2026.</p><p>Adding Rodriguez is a solid start for a Los Angeles team that also entered the offseason in need of starting pitching. He joins an Angels rotation that's headlined by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10619" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10619">Yusei Kikuchi</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12589" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12589">José Soriano</a>, but features a number of question marks after that.</p><p>Rodriguez now gets a chance to restart his career in Anaheim, albeit with an Angels organization that hasn't had much success developing pitchers or keeping them healthy in recent years. The Halos haven't had a starter throw more than 180 innings since 2017, and have had just two Cy Young winners since 1961.</p><p>It was expected that Los Angeles would deal either Ward or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9561" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9561">Jo Adell</a> this winter to clear space, and help address its starting pitching needs. With Adell being the cheaper of the two outfielders and having an additional year of team control, Ward became the odd man out.</p><p>Ward is coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year career. He hit 31 doubles, a career-high 36 home runs, and slashed .228/.317/.475 with a .792 OPS across 157 games. The 31-year-old appeared in 153 games in left field, and also has experience in right field. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ZbwyG" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ZbwyG/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="140" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Acquiring Ward seems like a gamble for Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias. While he does bring some much-needed power to a team that didn't have a single player hit more than 17 homers in 2025, he only has one year of arbitration eligibility left before becoming a free agent. Ward also doesn't grade out as a great defender, and is coming off a season in which he posted a 26.4 K% - the ninth-worst among qualified AL outfielders.</p><p>The Orioles now have seven outfielders on their 40-man roster, and a number of their top-10 prospects also play the outfield. </p><p>Baltimore's been active to start the offseason, having also acquired reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5892" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5892">Andrew Kittredge</a> and outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5706" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5706">Leody Taveras</a> this month. Those new additions are expected to add roughly $25 million to the team's 2026 payroll depending on Ward's final arbitration number, which is projected to be $13.7 million, per <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html">MLB Trade Rumors</a>.</p>

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angels bats against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on August 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

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Angels trade Ward to Orioles for Grayson Rodriguez

Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh put together two historic seasons, but only one player will be reward...

<p>Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh put together two historic seasons, but only one player will be rewarded for his efforts Thursday (7 p.m. ET) when the BBWAA announces the winner of the American League MVP. Will Raleigh become the first Seattle Mariner since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001 to take home the award, or will Judge join exclusive company as the eighth player in MLB history to win at least three MVP titles? Our MLB editors Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb and Brandon Wile make their case for who should win in 2025:</p><h3>Why Raleigh should win MVP?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801612/cropped_GettyImages-2235828870.jpg?ts=1758068850" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801612/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235828870.jpg?ts=1758068850 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801612/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235828870.jpg?ts=1758068850 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801612/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235828870.jpg?ts=1758068850 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801612/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235828870.jpg?ts=1758068850 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801612/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235828870.jpg?ts=1758068850 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Let's get this out of the way: supporting Raleigh for AL MVP is <em>not</em> a knock against Judge, nor is it a sign of voter fatigue. Judge may be the greatest right-handed hitter we'll ever see, and he produced another tremendous season. It's just bad luck for him that Raleigh had the year he did at the same time.</p><p>First, we'll go to the basis of Raleigh's MVP case. He hit 60 home runs in 2025, marking the 10th 60-homer season in MLB history and the fourth accomplished outside the "steroid era" between 1998 and 2001. The 28-year-old also set a single-season home-run record for switch-hitters, beating Mickey Mantle's 54 long balls in 1961. Plus, Raleigh led the AL in RBIs with 125.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>On its own, that's a remarkable and award-worthy feat. And then you realize that Raleigh hit 60 homers as an everyday catcher.</p><p>Catchers aren't supposed to do all that. The best offensive backstops in history never came close to this kind of power number due to the demands and physical toll the position takes on the body. Yet Raleigh shattered expectations, not only breaking the single-season home-run mark by a primary catcher by being the first ever to hit 50 - let alone 60 - but he also became the first backstop to record at least 80 extra-base hits. All the while, he shepherded the Mariners' top-tier pitching staff every day and didn't allow a passed ball in 1,072 innings behind the plate. That's jaw-dropping stuff.</p><p>Now, we must acknowledge here that Raleigh started 38 games at DH to get him some rest and keep his bat in the lineup. But if you look at his splits, you'll see that he hit <em>better</em> on days he was catching. That should weigh heavily in his favor.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-xZnSf" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xZnSf/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="114" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Raleigh's 49 homers while playing catcher were seven more than the previous record. But we can dig even deeper. Before this year, only two primary catchers hit 45-plus homers in a season: Johnny Bench recorded 45 in 1970, and Salvador Perez had 48 in 2021. Let's put their positional homer splits alongside Raleigh's 2025 splits. Just for fun, we also added Bench's 40-homer 1972 season to the table.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ROoKZ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ROoKZ/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="234" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Raleigh's clearly not the only power-hitting catcher who's added to his home-run totals at other positions. And in case you're wondering, Bench won NL MVP in 1970 and '72, with no controversy over him playing different positions. Had there been a DH back then, there's no doubt that Bench would've used the spot to get rest and pad his totals.</p><p>Another point that critics of Raleigh pick at is his .247 batting average, which would be the lowest ever for an MVP hitter. However, the number hardly disqualifies him. Seven players have gone on to win MVP despite hitting below .275 during the season, and several of those years are now considered historic. Shohei Ohtani's .257 average in 2021 is the lowest for an MVP-winning hitter, and voters rightly ignored that stat because of his unprecedented two-way performance.</p><p>But take a look at some of the other campaigns on this list. Bench hit .270 with 40 homers during his 1972 MVP season behind the plate. Yogi Berra won in 1955 while hitting .272 as a catcher, during an era when batting average was a far more meaningful statistic. And then there's 1961 AL MVP Roger Maris, who bested teammate Mickey Mantle despite hitting just .269. Maris' 61 homers and AL-best 141 RBIs were enough to beat out Mantle's superior stats in other categories. Sound familiar?</p><p>Again, none of this should downplay Judge's 2025. However, he didn't deliver a true season for the ages while catching every day and guiding one of baseball's best pitching staffs to excellence. Raleigh accomplished something truly unique, and there's enough precedent to justify him winning MVP. <em>- Sharkey-Gotlieb</em></p><h3>Why Aaron Judge should win MVP?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/809625/cropped_GettyImages-2239465340.jpg?ts=1762921347" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/809625/w220xh124_GettyImages-2239465340.jpg?ts=1762921347 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/809625/w320xh180_GettyImages-2239465340.jpg?ts=1762921347 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/809625/w640xh360_GettyImages-2239465340.jpg?ts=1762921347 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/809625/w768xh432_GettyImages-2239465340.jpg?ts=1762921347 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/809625/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2239465340.jpg?ts=1762921347 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">New York Yankees / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There's no disputing that Raleigh had the best season ever for a catcher, but it wasn't better than Judge's campaign. This award is about determining the most valuable player overall, rather than the best at an individual position.</p><p>The Yankees outfielder led MLB in average, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and fWAR. He's only the sixth player to top MLB in all triple slash categories since 1943.</p><p>Judge won the batting crown by .020, led the league in OBP by .058 and slugging by .066, and recorded an OPS .131 higher than Ohtani, who finished second. Judge didn't just lead every category; he crushed every great hitter this season. That's almost hard to comprehend.</p><p>If we compare Judge to Raleigh offensively, the two players aren't even close. Raleigh outhomered Judge by seven, but the Yankees slugger still finished fourth in the majors with 53 home runs - a mark that's only been reached 36 times in MLB history. Judge also received 55 fewer at-bats than Raleigh, in part because he drew 124 walks, including an MLB-leading 36 intentional walks, compared to Raleigh's 17. The opposing managers told you who the more imposing hitter was.</p><p>Judge finished with an OPS that was .197 points better than Raleigh's, and his 204 wRC+ ranked as the ninth-highest mark since 1961. Seven of the eight players who have posted at least a 200 wRC+ won the MVP that season, with the exception being Mark McGwire, who finished second in 1998.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-maxbq" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/maxbq/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="403" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Of course, the MVP isn't the best offensive player award, and defense is where many people lean toward Raleigh. Being a catcher is one of baseball's most underappreciated jobs, and Raleigh deserves enormous credit for the work he's done behind the plate and with the pitching staff. However, that shouldn't discredit the value Judge brought defensively.</p><p>An elbow flexor strain limited Judge to 95 games in right field and forced him to only DH for all of August. When he was in the outfield, Judge remained one of the best defensively at his position, ranking in the 86th percentile in outs above average, 85th percentile in arm strength, and 84th percentile in arm value, according to Baseball Savant. He also finished with three defensive runs saved, which isn't an elite number but illustrates that he was a positive presence with the glove.</p><p>Additionally, Judge deserves credit for playing through a pretty debilitating elbow injury. He missed only the minimum time on the IL, and even though he returned as the DH for a month, he slashed .305/.473/.634 with 16 home runs in 34 games with a bad elbow. Judge also played 15 of the Yankees' final 22 regular-season contests while injured in the outfield to help get Giancarlo Stanton's bat in the lineup.</p><p>When New York struggled in June and July, Judge kept them afloat, slashing .267/.396/.621. Then he posted a 1.546 OPS over the final three weeks of the season as the Yankees tried chasing down the Blue Jays to win the AL East title. Judge had an OPS over 1.000 in four of the six months and didn't see it dip below .923 in the other two. Meanwhile, Raleigh hit .194 in July and .173 in August.</p><p>Judge was the best and most consistent player throughout the season. Although Raleigh reached feats that no catcher has ever achieved, Judge accomplished things that few players in the history of the game have ever done, regardless of position. He should wake up Friday morning as a three-time AL MVP. <em>- Wile</em></p>

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Judge vs. Raleigh: Who should win AL MVP?

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was named 2025 American League Rookie of the Year on Monday af...

<p>Athletics first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18799" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18799">Nick Kurtz</a> was named 2025 American League Rookie of the Year on Monday after receiving all 30 first-place votes from members of the BBWAA. </p><p>Athletics shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17378" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17378">Jacob Wilson</a> finished second, while Boston Red Sox outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17320" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17320">Roman Anthony</a> came in third. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="AL Rookie of the Year" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-SBdr8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/SBdr8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="222" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>It's the ninth time in MLB history that teammates finished first and second in Rookie of the Year voting.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 22-year-old Kurtz enjoyed an incredible rookie season, slashing .290/.383/.619 with 36 home runs, 26 doubles, 86 RBIs, and a 1.002 OPS across 117 games. He also led all MLB rookies in runs, homers, RBIs, walks, slugging, OPS, and fWAR. </p><p>"It's a great ending to the first year," Kurtz told MLB Network. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former ROY Huston Street announces Nick Kurtz as the 2025 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year! <a href="https://t.co/wlVhFqjsaD">pic.twitter.com/wlVhFqjsaD</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1988040905492709577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Kurtz, the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft, becomes the ninth Rookie of the Year in franchise history. He's the franchise's first winner since Andrew Bailey in 2009. Kurtz was also named the AL's Silver Slugger winner at first base earlier this month. </p>

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics walks off the field in the top of the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

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A's Kurtz named unanimous AL Rookie of the Year

One of Japan's most talented pitchers will have the opportunity to pursue a contract in North Ame...

<p>One of Japan's most talented pitchers will have the opportunity to pursue a contract in North America. </p><p>The Seibu Lions announced Monday that they will officially post right-hander Tatsuya Imai this winter in hopes of securing a major-league deal. </p><p>"We decided that now was the right time and allowed him to take on the challenge of MLB," the Lions said in a <a href="https://www.seibulions.jp/news/detail/202500623630.html">statement</a>. "He has consistently expressed a strong desire to play baseball in America, and as a team, we have respected that desire."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Imai will have 45 days to reach an agreement with an MLB team once he's posted, or he'll have to return to the Lions for 2026.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tatsuya Imai will be represented by Scott Boras and his agency, Boras Corporation.</p>— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) <a href="https://twitter.com/francysromeroFR/status/1987732868328460560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"I'm grateful that they accepted my request," Imai said. </p><p>The 27-year-old has spent his entire nine-year professional career with Seibu. He posted a 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings last season. He features a mid-90s fastball, in addition to a slider and splitter. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now that the trade deadline has passed, MLB talent evaluators often prioritize scouting trips to Japan in August. Seibu Lions RHP Tatsuya Imai is one top priority for them to see; this video from <a href="https://twitter.com/YankeeSource?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YankeeSource</a> illustrates why. <a href="https://t.co/zXJFECxk2K">pic.twitter.com/zXJFECxk2K</a></p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1953302819844341850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>A three-time All-Star in Japan, Imai helped throw a combined no-hitter last season and struck out a franchise-record 17 batters in a game in June. While he has pitched for Japan internationally, he wasn't on the 2023 World Baseball Classic roster.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46859761/mlb-2025-2026-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections">ESPN's Kiley McDaniel</a> projects Imai will sign a six-year, $135-million deal, including an additional posting fee that's calculated from a percentage of how much he signs for. That fee is paid to the Lions.</p><p>Imai is expected to be one of the top starting pitchers available this winter. </p>

OSAKA, JAPAN - MARCH 05: Tatsuya Imai #48 of Samurai Japan pitches in the top of the sixth inning during the game between Samurai Japan and Netherlands at Kyocera Dome Osaka on March 05, 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

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Seibu Lions to post top pitcher Tatsuya Imai for MLB teams

Thursday marks the deadline for MLB teams and players to exercise or decline 2026 contract option...

<p>Thursday marks the deadline for MLB teams and players to exercise or decline 2026 contract options. Here's what it means for several notable players who either opted in or out.</p><h3>Shane Bieber</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798542/cropped_GettyImages-2231562486.jpg?ts=1755912547" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798542/w220xh124_GettyImages-2231562486.jpg?ts=1755912547 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798542/w320xh180_GettyImages-2231562486.jpg?ts=1755912547 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798542/w640xh360_GettyImages-2231562486.jpg?ts=1755912547 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798542/w768xh432_GettyImages-2231562486.jpg?ts=1755912547 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798542/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2231562486.jpg?ts=1755912547 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Bieber delivered the first surprise of the offseason Tuesday by exercising his $16-million player option for 2026. Bieber's commitment to Toronto isn't shocking, as he made clear he enjoyed playing for the Blue Jays. Still, the right-hander passing on free agency and accepting a well below-market deal was a major surprise. Bieber's option included a $4-million buyout, meaning he effectively agreed to a one-year, $12-million contract in new money. Some projection models anticipated Bieber to secure $60 million to $100 million or more this winter, following his strong return from Tommy John surgery. Not being attached to a qualifying offer also boosted his appeal compared to other top free-agent starters.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="2025 comparable SP contracts" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-CVJ3l" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/CVJ3l/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="419" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Retaining Bieber at a modest cost gives the Blue Jays a head start on what's expected to be a busy winter. Starters Kevin Gausman, Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, Bowden Francis, and Eric Lauer all remain under team control. Bieber's contract essentially replaces Max Scherzer's $15.5-million departing salary, and he now enjoys a full, healthy offseason with a familiar club. An extension is possible, although the sides aren't reportedly discussing it. Toronto rolled the dice acquiring Bieber at the deadline after his surgery, but that deal couldn't look better now.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Alex Bregman </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797261/cropped_GettyImages-2229634373.jpg?ts=1754973546" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797261/w220xh124_GettyImages-2229634373.jpg?ts=1754973546 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797261/w320xh180_GettyImages-2229634373.jpg?ts=1754973546 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797261/w640xh360_GettyImages-2229634373.jpg?ts=1754973546 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797261/w768xh432_GettyImages-2229634373.jpg?ts=1754973546 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797261/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2229634373.jpg?ts=1754973546 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Houston Astros / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Bregman hits the open market seeking a long-term contract for a second straight offseason - but this time he's not tied to a qualifying offer. He proved an ideal fit in Boston, both on the field and in the clubhouse. The 31-year-old should have a strong market given the lack of difference-making position players available, although securing the five- or six-year contract he desires isn't a guarantee.</p><p>Bregman recorded 18 home runs, 29 doubles, and put up a .821 OPS - his highest mark since 2019. However, he appeared in only 114 games and posted a .727 OPS after the All-Star break. He notably hit better on the road than at Fenway Park, a point he'll likely make as part of his pitch to other teams. Last winter, Bregman settled on a short-term, high-dollar contract that included opt-outs to reestablish his value. He'll be hoping to follow a similar framework to that of third baseman Matt Chapman, who initially signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco Giants containing two opt-outs before inking a lucrative extension.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-bHIrY" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/bHIrY/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="480" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>It wouldn't be shocking to see Bregman remain in Boston and continue mentoring a young core. But the Red Sox - like a number of other teams - might be scared to commit significant dollars and years to a third baseman entering his age-32 season. Still, it would be quite the turn of events if Boston let Bregman walk after trading Rafael Devers away to make room for him at third base.</p><h3>Trevor Story</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794258/cropped_GettyImages-2223830690.jpg?ts=1752511841" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794258/w220xh124_GettyImages-2223830690.jpg?ts=1752511841 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794258/w320xh180_GettyImages-2223830690.jpg?ts=1752511841 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794258/w640xh360_GettyImages-2223830690.jpg?ts=1752511841 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794258/w768xh432_GettyImages-2223830690.jpg?ts=1752511841 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794258/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2223830690.jpg?ts=1752511841 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>While one member of the left side of the Red Sox infield departed, another stayed. Story decided not to opt out of the final two years and $55 million remaining on his deal. Injuries limited him to 163 games across his first three seasons in Boston, but he played in 157 contests this past campaign. The 32-year-old put together a strong 2025, hitting 25 home runs to go with 31 stolen bases and a .741 OPS.</p><p>Given the lack of shortstop depth available, Story likely would've surpassed the total dollars remaining on his deal if he opted for free agency, though he probably would have needed to accept a lower AAV. Instead, Story chose to stay with the Red Sox, reportedly appreciating the club's direction. Part of him might also feel like he owes the franchise after missing so much time in the early part of his contract.</p><h3>Edwin Díaz</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800181/cropped_GettyImages-2233930955.jpg?ts=1757126797" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800181/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233930955.jpg?ts=1757126797 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800181/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233930955.jpg?ts=1757126797 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800181/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233930955.jpg?ts=1757126797 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800181/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233930955.jpg?ts=1757126797 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800181/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233930955.jpg?ts=1757126797 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jason Mowry / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Díaz will hope to cash in again in free agency and take advantage of a dismal relief class. The right-hander quietly put together the second-best season of his career, accruing a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts across 66 1/3 innings. Even heading into his age-32 season, Díaz remains one of baseball's elite closers, grading in the 99th percentile in K%, whiff rate, and xERA.</p><p>He allowed a run in only eight of his 62 appearances in 2025 while surrendering just four homers. Díaz opting out of the final two years and $38 million left on his deal isn't much of a surprise, considering he could surpass his own record (5 years, $102M) for the richest contract for a reliever in MLB history. If he can't find those dollars, Díaz may seek a deal similar to Josh Hader's (5 years, $95M) or Tanner Scott's (4 years, $72M), though both were younger. Regardless of what Díaz signs for, the pact will be worth significantly more than what he left on the table by opting out. After Díaz and Robert Suarez, the free-agent reliever market drops off significantly in talent.</p><h3>Pete Alonso</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794480/cropped_GettyImages-2207907029.jpg?ts=1755044865" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794480/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207907029.jpg?ts=1755044865 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794480/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207907029.jpg?ts=1755044865 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794480/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207907029.jpg?ts=1755044865 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794480/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207907029.jpg?ts=1755044865 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794480/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207907029.jpg?ts=1755044865 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mary DeCicco / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Alonso is entering the market for a second straight winter, hoping he's viewed more favorably across the league after settling for a prove-it deal with the Mets. The 30-year-old followed up with another excellent campaign, hitting 38 home runs, 41 doubles, and recording a .871 OPS while playing in all 162 games for the second consecutive season. He also lowered his strikeout rate to 22.8% and posted the second-best wRC+ (141) and slugging percentage (.524) of his career.</p><p>Signing any slugging first baseman in his 30s can be a terrifying thought - just ask the Baltimore Orioles - but Alonso isn't showing signs of decline. His hard-hit percentage, bat speed, and exit velocity all remain elite. Though not a fast or gifted defender, Alonso provides an impact bat for the middle of any lineup. While he won't approach the six-year, $162-million deal Freddie Freeman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alonso should benefit from not being attached to a qualifying offer and command north of $100 million.</p><h3>Shota Imanaga </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744579/cropped_GettyImages-2170590034.jpg?ts=1726032386" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744579/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170590034.jpg?ts=1726032386 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744579/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170590034.jpg?ts=1726032386 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744579/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170590034.jpg?ts=1726032386 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744579/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170590034.jpg?ts=1726032386 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744579/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170590034.jpg?ts=1726032386 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Imanaga's four-year, $53-million contract signed prior to the 2024 season seemed like a steal, but a second-half free fall in 2025 led the Cubs to decline the remaining years on his contract and allow the left-hander to hit free agency. The 32-year-old outperformed some underlying metrics over his first 13 starts in 2025 (2.40 ERA/4.35 FIP), but things unraveled post-All-Star break as he recorded a 4.70 ERA over his final 13 starts, surrendering 20 home runs in 76 2/3 innings.</p><p>The question is whether a hamstring strain that sidelined Imanaga for nearly two months was a driving factor in his struggles, or whether the league adjusted to a low 90s fastball and a pitching arsenal that doesn't miss many bats. Maybe it was a combination of all those factors. However, it comes as a bit of a surprise that the Cubs, who desperately need starting pitching, weren't willing to pay a relatively modest cost to keep Imanaga in the back end of the rotation. Chicago clearly believes it can find a more valuable arm for that money. Imanaga should generate enough interest this winter and aim to land in a bigger ballpark where his 54.5% flyball rate plays better than it does at Wrigley Field.</p><h3>Salvador Perez</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748957/cropped_GettyImages-2176698021.jpg?ts=1728340079" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748957/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176698021.jpg?ts=1728340079 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748957/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176698021.jpg?ts=1728340079 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748957/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176698021.jpg?ts=1728340079 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748957/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176698021.jpg?ts=1728340079 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748957/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176698021.jpg?ts=1728340079 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jess Rapfogel / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It looks like Perez will play out the rest of his career in Kansas City, and that's a good thing. He signed a two-year, $25-million extension that takes him through his age-37 season. The five-time Gold Glove winner has been catching less and designated hitting more, so expect that trend to continue. Perez represents a strong veteran presence and great leadership, and he remains productive at the plate. He's coming off a 30-homer season and posted the fourth-best slugging percentage (.446) among qualified catchers. Perez sits 15 home runs away from tying George Brett for the most in franchise history and is destined for the Royals' Hall of Fame.</p>

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Takeaways from Bieber, Bregman, Alonso, other stars' contract options

theScore provides analysis and insights from Game 7 of the World Series. We break down everything...

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Relive Dodgers' wild comeback win in Game 7 of World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays lost Game 6 of the World Series in dramatic fashion.   Trailing 3-1 in the ...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays lost Game 6 of the World Series in dramatic fashion. </p><p>Trailing 3-1 in the ninth inning, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14202" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14202">Addison Barger</a> ripped a double that got lodged between the outfield fence and the turf. Barger and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8938" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8938">Myles Straw</a> came around to score, but were returned to their bases after the umpire signaled a ground-rule double due to the ball being lodged in the fence.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DON'T COUNT OUT THE <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BLUEJAYS</a>!<br><br>Two runners in scoring position with no outs in the 9th 👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/e5G6JRyN8M">pic.twitter.com/e5G6JRyN8M</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1984457330759532776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"That's such a hard wall, so it's very impressive that the ball stuck in there," Blue Jays outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9524" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9524">Daulton Varsho</a> said. "That's probably the only spot where it could have possibly gotten stuck."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blue Jays challenged the play the but call was upheld. </p><blockquote><p>If a fair ball gets lodged in the outfield wall padding it is a ground-rule double. On all ground-rule doubles, the ball is dead, the batter-runner goes to second and all additional runners are permitted to move up two bases from the one they occupied at the time of the pitch.</p></blockquote><p>"Been here a long time, haven't seen a ball get lodged ever," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "Just caught a tough break there."</p><p>Despite the unfortunate bounce, the Blue Jays still had runners at second, and third with no outs. Toronto had a 43% chance of winning the game at that point, according to <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=10/31/2025&amp;gamePk=813025&amp;chartType=pitch&amp;legendType=pitchName&amp;playerType=pitcher&amp;inning=&amp;count=&amp;pitchHand=&amp;batSide=&amp;descFilter=&amp;ptFilter=&amp;resultFilter=&amp;hf=winProbability&amp;sportId=1&amp;liveAb=#813025">Baseball Savant.</a> </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4257" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4257">Tyler Glasnow</a> came out of the 'pen to relieve <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19077">Roki Sasaki</a> and got <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10877" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10877">Ernie Clement</a> to pop out. Barger was then doubled off second base by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2444" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2444">Kiké Hernández</a> on an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8766" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8766">Andrés Giménez</a> line out to left field to end the game.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ht" dir="ltr">KIKÉ, DO YOU LOVE ME?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WORLDSERIES?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WORLDSERIES</a> <a href="https://t.co/WQx5nFbdXa">pic.twitter.com/WQx5nFbdXa</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1984459316246507550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"Obviously, on the play I got doubled up I was being too aggressive," Barger said. "Trying to score, try to tie up that game if the ball drops. He got a good read on the ball and made a good play." </p><p>Hernández said following the win that he was playing more shallow defensively than what was suggested on his defensive positioning card because the left-handed hitting Giménez's power is more to the pull side.</p><p>“Somehow I was able to hear that the bat broke, even with that crowd," Hernández told <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984466892040360346">Fox Sports</a>. "The crazy thing is I had no idea where the ball was cause it was in the lights the whole time.”</p><p>Schneider gave credit to the Dodgers' defense for making the deciding play. </p><p>"It's a tough read," Schneider said. "Kiké playing shallow and one out you're thinking score. He made a really good play. It's such a tweener. He made a good play, good throw. Good play by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2083" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2083">(Miguel) Rojas</a> too. Wild. Wild way to finish it, for sure."</p><p>The Blue Jays finished 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.</p><p>Game 7 goes Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. It's the first winner-take-all game to decide the World Series since 2019. </p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 31: Miguel Rojas #72 of the Los Angeles Dodgers forces out Addison Barger #47 of the Toronto Blue Jays to win the game 3-1 in game six of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on October 31, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Barger: 'I was being too aggressive' on game-ending double play

theScore provides analysis and insights for Game 6 of the World Series. We break down everything ...

<p><em>theScore provides analysis </em><em>and insights for Game 6 of the World Series. We break down everything from the Los Angeles Dodgers' dramatic 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-MPH62" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/MPH62/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="141" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p><strong>9th inning: </strong>The Dodgers somehow survive to force a Game 7. Everything that could go wrong did for the Blue Jays, who somehow don't score a run despite starting the inning by putting two runners in scoring position with no outs. Kiké Hernández makes an incredible game-ending play to double off Addison Barger at second base. It's unacceptable for Barger to get doubled off there with the play entirely in front of him. Toronto will wonder how it lost this game, and it could come back to haunt the Jays if they lose Saturday. It will be the first World Series Game 7 since 2019.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">GAME ENDING DOUBLE PLAY! THERE WILL BE A GAME SEVEN TOMORROW NIGHT! <a href="https://t.co/dtWrxULKEG">pic.twitter.com/dtWrxULKEG</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984458605119344931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>9th inning:</strong> Wow. The Blue Jays get some unbelievably bad luck as Addison Barger's rocket double gets wedged in the bottom of the wall and the umpires call it a ground-rule double. It's a smart play by center fielder Justin Dean to put his hands up immediately to signal the ball is stuck and not try to play it. The Blue Jays have the tying run on second base with no outs as Tyler Glasnow gets the ball in the ninth. Buckle up.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BARGER WITH A DOUBLE!!<br><br>Dead ball was called on the field and lead runner stops at 3rd.<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> on FOX <a href="https://t.co/Z39KrA3I5H">pic.twitter.com/Z39KrA3I5H</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984457186735775962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>8th inning:</strong> Roki Sasaki survives the biggest test of his major-league career. Pitching for just the second time in 14 days, the right-hander works around a George Springer single and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walk to keep the Dodgers' two-run lead intact. Credit to Will Smith for blocking a number of balls in the dirt to keep the runners from advancing. Sasaki got just two whiffs on 25 pitches, so we'll see if he comes back out for the ninth. Toronto is 1-for-7 with RISP.</p><p><strong>8th inning:</strong> It hasn't exactly been dominant, but the Blue Jays' bullpen is keeping them in the game. Seranthony Domínguez strikes out Teoscar Hernández with the bases loaded to keep it a two-run game. Toronto's bullpen has a 2.81 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings this World Series. Roki Sasaki gets the top of the order needing six outs to reach a Game 7.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seranthony Domínguez gets out of the bases loaded jam and the Blue Jays bring the top of their lineup to the plate in the 8th!<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> on FOX <a href="https://t.co/GFKgjtuv59">pic.twitter.com/GFKgjtuv59</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984449813006729536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>7th inning:</strong> Yoshinobu Yamamoto will not throw a third straight complete game as Dave Roberts goes to rookie left-hander Justin Wrobleski. Yamamoto dealt with some traffic in the sixth inning, but it's still a surprise to see Roberts not try to squeeze one more inning out of his ace. Wrobleski's been a bit of a hidden gem this World Series for Roberts, throwing 3 2/3 shutout innings. It's a wonder why John Schneider didn't go to his bench to hit for Andrés Giménez against a lefty there. Expect Roki Sasaki, who's warming in the 'pen, to try to get the final six outs. The right-hander won't get a warm welcome after he spurned the Jays over the offseason.</p><p><strong>7th inning: </strong>Kevin Gausman delivers another excellent World Series start in which you look up and question how the Blue Jays are trailing. The right-hander allowed three runs on three hits with two walks while striking out eight. He owns a 4.26 ERA in two World Series starts despite a 0.71 WHIP and .156 opponent average. It's a shame Toronto couldn't give him more run support.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Gausman is the first pitcher in MLB history to have 4 consecutive starts in a single postseason where he pitched 5.0+ innings and allowed 3 or fewer runs but did not get the win. <a href="https://t.co/M265m5Zrmp">pic.twitter.com/M265m5Zrmp</a></p>— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaSTATS/status/1984444722266452324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>6th inning: </strong>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s putting together one of the all-time great postseasons. His double in the sixth inning gives him the second-most hits all time in a playoff run, and he leads all players with a 1.324 OPS this October. The Blue Jays had Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the ropes with runners on first and second, but Daulton Varsho strikes out to end the threat. We'll see if Yamamoto comes out for the seventh at 96 pitches with Justin Wrobleski warming.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most hits in a single postseason:<br><br>2020 Randy Arozarena: 29<br>2025 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 27<br>2025 Ernie Clement: 26<br>2014 Pablo Sandoval: 26</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1984438941248827653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>5th inning: </strong>Everything's going precisely to plan for the Dodgers so far. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is dominating once again, and the offense has given him just enough to pitch with a lead. Meanwhile, Kevin Gausman enters the sixth inning on 82 pitches as Louis Varland - who else? - warms up in the bullpen. Ignore any pitch count for Yamamoto with this being his final appearance of the season. Expect Dave Roberts to keep him in as long as he's effective.</p><p><strong>3rd inning:</strong> The Blue Jays finally get to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with George Springer hammering a 109.8-mph RBI single to get Toronto on the board. It's one of two hard-hit balls for the Blue Jays in the inning. We'll see if Yamamoto has additional trouble the second time through the order, as he's already needed 47 pitches to record nine outs. A third straight complete game is in jeopardy unless he can work some shorter innings. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">109.8 MPH exit velocity on this RBI single is the 2nd-hardest hit ball of this postseason for definitely-still-injured George Springer <a href="https://t.co/RjVtVBnHFA">pic.twitter.com/RjVtVBnHFA</a></p>— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ/status/1984427971440943279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>3rd inning: </strong>John Schneider's first big decision of Game 6 backfires. The Blue Jays intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani with two outs and a runner on second base to face Will Smith, only for the catcher to launch an RBI double down the left-field line. It was a bit of a curious decision, as Smith homered off Gausman in Game 2.</p><p>Dave Roberts' lineup reconstruction pays off, as it gets Mookie Betts going. Betts was dropped to the cleanup spot prior to Game 6, and he delivers a two-RBI single to make it 3-0. These are the first runs Betts has driven in this World Series.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MOOKIE COMES THROUGH WITH BASES LOADED! <a href="https://t.co/zOPl2OGzgK">pic.twitter.com/zOPl2OGzgK</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984424115617599976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>2nd inning:</strong> Hits are going to be hard to come by. Kevin Gausman's struck out five of the six batters he's faced - already generating 11 whiffs with his splitter. Yoshinobu Yamamoto's matched him pitch for pitch, though, having thrown to the minimum through two innings. He also hasn't allowed a hit after Max Muncy's misplay of Nathan Lukes' grounder was changed to an error on the Dodgers third baseman. It's looking like an exact replica of Game 2 so far.</p><p><strong>1st inning: </strong>Credit to George Springer for even getting in the lineup tonight, as it's clear he's still dealing with a lot of discomfort. He winced in pain after his first swing and miss of the game and you have to wonder how much his injury will impact his swing. He ends up grounding out. </p><p><strong>1st inning: </strong>Shohei Ohtani hasn't been the same since the 18-inning game. He strikes out to open Game 6 after receiving a heavy diet of splitters from Kevin Gausman, who generates three whiffs in the at-bat. Ohtani's now in an 0-for-8 slump with four strikeouts. Gausman strikes out the side and this place is going nuts. He ends up recording seven whiffs on 11 splitters.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOT START FOR GAUS 🥵<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/cllj0hrQ0M">pic.twitter.com/cllj0hrQ0M</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1984413597754073193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> Might we see Shohei Ohtani start if the Dodgers force a Game 7? Dave Roberts said the right-hander is not an option to pitch in Game 6, but it would make the most sense to use him as an opener Saturday ahead of Tyler Glasnow. Ohtani last pitched Wednesday, so he would likely be available for no more than one trip through the order (depending on pitch count). Using him out of the bullpen would be much more complicated when factoring in his need to warm up during the game while also hitting. Glasnow, meanwhile, will be available in the bullpen for Game 6, though Roberts said he'd rather avoid calling on him tonight.</p><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> George Springer is surprisingly in the lineup. Manager John Schneider suggested that would be the case when speaking Thursday, but it's still somewhat shocking after seeing Springer exit Game 5 with a side injury. It's a bit of a roll of the dice for the Blue Jays, but if Springer is healthy enough to play, Toronto needs him. Springer serving as DH means Bo Bichette moves to second base, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa goes to the bench. Bichette wasn't in the lineup when the team last faced Yoshinobu Yamamoto.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let's ride. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WANTITALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WANTITALL</a> <a href="https://t.co/9WXTVawQrB">pic.twitter.com/9WXTVawQrB</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1984342121386819657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> Dave Roberts is shuffling his lineup once again to try to ignite a slumping offense. Mookie Betts (3-for-23) is dropped in the order for a second straight game and will bat fourth. It's the first time Betts will hit cleanup in a postseason game since 2017 with the Boston Red Sox. Miguel Rojas (0-for-2) slides in at second base, pushing Tommy Edman (3-for-21) to center field. It's a downgrade defensively, but the Dodgers need to focus on scoring runs at this point.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game 6.<br><br>Tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> Dodgers lineup at Blue Jays: <a href="https://t.co/EBgHtHUoBy">pic.twitter.com/EBgHtHUoBy</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1984350572347343124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> History is on Toronto's side. Teams that won Game 5 after the series was tied 2-2 have won the World Series 31 out of 46 times (67.4%). The Dodgers are 8-13 all time when playing a Game 6, while the Blue Jays are 5-2. The World Series hasn't gone to Game 7 since 2019.</p><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> The Blue Jays will try to win their first World Series title since 1993, while the Dodgers will attempt to force a Game 7 on Saturday. Kevin Gausman gets the ball for Toronto. He's been excellent this postseason (2.55 ERA) and allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in Game 2 against the Dodgers. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has its best arm on the mound in Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The right-hander's thrown back-to-back complete games and allowed one run off four hits with eight strikeouts in his last outing at Rogers Centre.</p>

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Chasing October: Relive Dodgers' stunning win in World Series Game 6

This is a collection of stories about what it's like to be a player for the final out of the Worl...

<p><em>This is a collection of stories about what it's like to be a player for the final out of the World Series, sharing three of the most unique experiences from recent years. </em></p><p>TORONTO - Kyle Schwarber watched the final out of Game 5 of the 2016 NLCS at a Chili's in Arizona. </p><p>A couple days later, he was playing in the World Series.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Schwarber tore his ACL in the second game of the 2016 regular season for the Chicago Cubs. He was preparing for winter ball when he got the news that would change his life. In the back of his mind, he'd always believed that if his rehab continued to go well, he would have a shot at returning for the postseason - but realistically, that was wishful thinking.</p><p>So when doctors cleared Schwarber in early October, and he found himself on a plane to rehab in the Arizona Fall League, he couldn't believe it. After his night at Chili's, Schwarber watched the series-clinching Game 6 between at-bats during one of his rehab games.</p><p>"I didn't even pay attention to the fall league game, just watched the iPad in the dugout," Schwarber told theScore. "I'm just sitting there watching the NLCS and no one's talking to me. I finished up the game, and the training staff and some strength coaches had some champagne bottles that we popped for a little celebration."</p><p>After the mini celebration, Schwarber got a text from then-Cubs president Theo Epstein. Chicago was going to add Schwarber to the World Series roster. The team sent a private plane to Arizona to pick him up.</p><p>"That was surreal," Schwarber said. "They said, 'Get your stuff packed and call your family to come up.' That was insane. I had what felt like a six-and-a-half hour flight, just being in my head the whole time thinking about what's going on. I'm about to face Corey Kluber.</p><p>"I didn't feel like they were going to put me on (the roster), just from the quality of the at-bats and where I was at in the fall league. I was literally just jogging to first base. You just think of all these different possibilities in your head. What happens if I suck? What happens if I'm getting embarrassed up there? I was just like, 'I gotta make it through the first at-bat.'"</p><p>Schwarber didn't suck. He never got embarrassed. In fact, he was an offensive force during the World Series, going 7-for-17 and helping lead the franchise to its first championship in 108 years.</p><p>He went 3-for-5 in Game 7 in Cleveland, but he watched the end of the game from the dugout after being lifted for a pinch runner in the 10th inning.</p><p>"As soon as you come out of the game, versus when you're in the game, it's a different feeling," Schwarber said. "There's no control anymore. I'm just being a nervous wreck. </p><p>"Me and Jon Lester were pacing back and forth, kind of bouncing questions, like, 'What's the best pitch here? What are we going to throw them?' And then it's over, and all that goes away. It's just pure pandemonium."</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807877/cropped_GettyImages-1146310031.jpg?ts=1761846946" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807877/w220xh124_GettyImages-1146310031.jpg?ts=1761846946 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807877/w320xh180_GettyImages-1146310031.jpg?ts=1761846946 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807877/w640xh360_GettyImages-1146310031.jpg?ts=1761846946 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807877/w768xh432_GettyImages-1146310031.jpg?ts=1761846946 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807877/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1146310031.jpg?ts=1761846946 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Diamond Images / Diamond Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Kris Bryant gathered a slow grounder and slipped on the throw, but he still managed to fire the ball across the diamond to Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs had done it. The curse was broken.</p><p>"One of the most dramatic last outs ever," Schwarber said. "His foot slips when he goes to throw, and then you see the ball, and it looks like it's coming high out of his hand, and I'm like, 'Oh no.' And then it hits chest high on Rizzo, and it's over."</p><p>While Schwarber recalls the chaos, what Jason Heyward remembers most is the momentary silence at Progressive Field.</p><p>"The only person talking was probably the commentator," Heyward said. "I'm going to back up the throw and Rizzo catches it. It was still, like quiet again for a brief second, everybody held their breath to see. And then it was however many Cubs fans over there - I mean, had to be at least, like, 20,000 - yell in elation."</p><h3>'It felt like I was in a movie'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807880/cropped_GettyImages-869216084.jpg?ts=1761848541" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807880/w220xh124_GettyImages-869216084.jpg?ts=1761848541 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807880/w320xh180_GettyImages-869216084.jpg?ts=1761848541 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807880/w640xh360_GettyImages-869216084.jpg?ts=1761848541 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807880/w768xh432_GettyImages-869216084.jpg?ts=1761848541 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807880/w1080xh607_GettyImages-869216084.jpg?ts=1761848541 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Trautwig / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Thirteen years into his MLB career, Justin Verlander was finally about to reach the summit.</p><p>Verlander had started Game 6 of the World Series the day before. In Game 7, he was in the Dodger Stadium bullpen in case of emergency, standing next to Lance McCullers Jr. with his spikes on.</p><p>Pressed up against the fence, Verlander was relegated to spectator status as Charlie Morton delivered the final 12 outs that secured the 2017 World Series for the Houston Astros.</p><p>It was time to run onto the field.</p><p>"Honestly, it felt like I was in a movie," Verlander told theScore. "It felt like I was floating. I just couldn't wait to get to the pile and celebrate. My view is a packed stadium, and I'm running to celebrate winning it all. It's just surreal."</p><p>Verlander had waited his whole life to realize that dream. But there wasn't much time to soak it in: Another ring was waiting.</p><p>Verlander skipped the parade and hopped on a plane to Italy to get married. In the months before the World Series, Verlander had been making wedding arrangements. For most of that time, he was a member of the Detroit Tigers, and the postseason wasn't on his mind. He agreed to the trade to Houston on Aug. 31. Still, he and his wife, Kate Upton, were able to make it work.</p><p>"We celebrated, and then I hopped on a plane the very next morning and flew straight to Italy," Verlander said. "Before we played Game 7, a lot of our friends were already at our wedding venue FaceTiming me saying, 'Hey, good luck. Your wedding's great, we're having a great time.'</p><p>"One of the parties already happened, and then some of the guests stayed up super late and watched (Game 7)."</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807852/cropped_GettyImages-869504718.jpg?ts=1761841792" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807852/w220xh124_GettyImages-869504718.jpg?ts=1761841792 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807852/w320xh180_GettyImages-869504718.jpg?ts=1761841792 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807852/w640xh360_GettyImages-869504718.jpg?ts=1761841792 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807852/w768xh432_GettyImages-869504718.jpg?ts=1761841792 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807852/w1080xh607_GettyImages-869504718.jpg?ts=1761841792 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robert Beck / Sports Illustrated / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Just a few feet in front of Verlander in the visiting bullpen, George Springer was patrolling right field.</p><p>"The last nine outs felt like two days," Springer recalled. "I was counting outs, hoping the ball gets hit to me, but also, you kind of don't want to screw it up. I just remember pacing around the outfield. I was probably 15 or 20 feet out of position."</p><p>Morton induced a grounder to second base for the final out. Springer was on his way to meet Verlander and the rest of the group at the mound. The rest was a blur.</p><p>"I'm pretty sure I was probably supposed to go back up first base," Springer joked. "That's kind of all I remember, is I remember that I don't really remember."</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807854/cropped_GettyImages-869204086.jpg?ts=1761842167" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807854/w220xh124_GettyImages-869204086.jpg?ts=1761842167 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807854/w320xh180_GettyImages-869204086.jpg?ts=1761842167 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807854/w640xh360_GettyImages-869204086.jpg?ts=1761842167 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807854/w768xh432_GettyImages-869204086.jpg?ts=1761842167 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807854/w1080xh607_GettyImages-869204086.jpg?ts=1761842167 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Astros were all racing to get to Morton, who'd just delivered an epic performance out of the bullpen on two days' rest. The veteran right-hander admitted he wasn't expecting to pitch in Game 7 until A.J. Hinch approached him beforehand and said he'd be needed at some point.</p><p>"Running in from the bullpen at Dodger Stadium for Game 7 of the World Series was surreal," Morton said of when he took the mound.</p><p>Morton hadn't pitched in relief since 2008. He expected to air out his best stuff for one inning. But the more he pitched, the better he got, and Hinch kept rolling with the hot hand. Morton retired Corey Seager to end the game.</p><p>"I turned around and I'm looking for (catcher) Brian McCann. I don't know where he is, and then he comes flying in and jumping on me," Morton said. "I just remember getting involved in the scrum, then I got punched in the face." </p><h3>'We've still never celebrated'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807885/cropped_GettyImages-1282863935.jpg?ts=1761851377" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807885/w220xh124_GettyImages-1282863935.jpg?ts=1761851377 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807885/w320xh180_GettyImages-1282863935.jpg?ts=1761851377 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807885/w640xh360_GettyImages-1282863935.jpg?ts=1761851377 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807885/w768xh432_GettyImages-1282863935.jpg?ts=1761851377 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807885/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1282863935.jpg?ts=1761851377 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Tom Pennington / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Justin Turner was six outs away from winning his first World Series in 2020 when the unimaginable happened.</p><p>A member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' training staff pulled Turner from the dugout at Globe Life Field and told him president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman needed to speak with him. Turner had tested positive for COVID-19. Not only was he forced to leave Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he had to isolate immediately.</p><p>"They took me off the field and into a doctor's office somewhere in the back of the stadium," Turner told theScore. "I had to watch the last two innings on a TV - not even with the normal game feed, I had to watch it from the bird's-eye view."</p><p>Turner had waited 13 years for that moment, and he'd been part of two Dodgers teams that had fallen just short of the title in recent seasons. He couldn't believe what was happening. He understood the severity of the illness that shut down baseball for months, but he felt fine.</p><p>As the Dodgers recorded the final out to win the franchise's first World Series since 1988, Turner and his wife Kourtney, who'd also been pulled from her seat, watched it alone together.</p><p>"It was an emotional time," Turner said. "Obviously, excited that we were able to accomplish something that we hadn't accomplished yet with the Dodgers. But at the same time, it was pretty disappointing and sad that I wasn't able to be out there.</p><p>"When you see the pitch, you hear the stadium react, you see everyone run on the field, and it was just, you know, waterworks for me and my wife sitting in the room."</p><p>Joc Pederson remembers the confusion of seeing Turner pulled from the game. </p><p>"It kind of set everyone off and it was really strange," Pederson said. "It created this weird dynamic."</p><p>The World Series was played in a bubble in Texas, a neutral site. Some fans were permitted to attend, but players and personnel still underwent regular COVID screening. The Dodgers weren't allowed to celebrate with champagne after winning and were immediately tested when they returned to their hotel after the game. The team took two planes back to Los Angeles after the series, though not everyone went together.</p><p>"It was like a Navy SEAL team," Pederson said. "We went in, just got a mission, and then everyone went their separate ways."</p><p>Turner was desperate for any way to celebrate. He asked if he and his wife could go out and get a picture, "so we have something that shows we're a part of it."</p><p>Somewhat controversially at the time, Turner got to the field, and when he arrived, his teammates made sure he was included in the championship photo. After the picture was taken, he was sent back into isolation. He showered and left the stadium in a separate car. The Turners then made the 21-hour drive from Arlington back to Los Angeles on their own.</p><p>Pederson was lucky enough to enjoy the conventional experience of being a World Series champion the following season with the Atlanta Braves, capturing the second title of his career.</p><p>"The excitement of a full stadium, the excitement of a parade, the excitement of all that, it's not even comparable," Pederson said. "The Braves experience are some of my best memories. With the parade, it's like a 72-hour party."</p><p>The Dodgers never got their parade.</p><p>"We've still never celebrated that World Series," Pederson said. "L.A. is an amazing place, and that's definitely something you would have wanted to embrace with the fans."</p><p>Five years and five teams later, Turner is still chasing that moment. </p><p>"It's something that I think drives me to keep going and want to win another championship so bad, so I can experience that feeling, whether it's running from my position or running from the dugout," Turner said.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33052751/related

'Like I was in a movie': MLBers share feeling of winning World Series

We break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World ...

<p><em>We break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.</em></p><h3>Yesavage saves best for last </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/cropped_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Luke Hales / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Trey Yesavage keeps redefining what we think is possible, and the Blue Jays aren't one win away from a World Series title without him.</p><p>Making just the eighth start of his major-league career, the 22-year-old authored one of the most impressive performances in the franchise's history. Pitching at Dodger Stadium, and on the road for the first time this playoffs, Yesavage struck out an MLB-rookie record 12 batters while allowing only one run off three hits over seven innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Yesavage is the first pitcher in MLB history to record 12 strikeouts and zero walks in a World Series game, while the 23 whiffs generated are the most by a pitcher during the Fall Classic since pitch tracking became available in 2008, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983725899616022955">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>The Dodgers appeared confident heading into Game 5 having already faced Yesavage in Game 1. Dave Roberts said he believed his team had a better game plan going in after seeing the unique delivery days earlier.</p><p>So much for that. </p><p>Yesavage was clearly up for the challenge and pitched completely differently the second time around, almost abandoning his fastball Wednesday. He also did a much better job at commanding the zone and throwing strikes.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 1" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-sLiFb" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/sLiFb/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="202" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 2" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-p7gr8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/p7gr8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="202" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>The Blue Jays did well to hand Yesavage an early 2-0 lead before he took the mound, and he continued to show incredible poise by retiring the first seven Dodgers hitters. Even after surrendering a solo home run to Enrique Hernández, Yesavage polished off the next four batters and only allowed three baserunners over the following 4 2/3 innings, finishing his night after seven with at least one strikeout of every Dodger.</p><p>The biggest moment came in the fourth. With two on and two out, Alejandro Kirk called a mound visit, and Yesavage proceeded to get Tommy Edman to pop-up to end the inning. The game could've gone another way entirely if Kirk didn't settle his pitcher down there.</p><h3>Where'd the Dodgers offense go?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/cropped_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Dodgers finished second in runs, homers, and OPS during the regular season, but the lineup's been a shell of itself through five games of the World Series. </p><p>Los Angeles has scored just four runs and managed 16 hits over its last 29 innings. The 18-inning marathon seems to have sucked all the life out of the team. </p><p>Roberts attempted to rearrange the deck chairs moving into Game 5, but putting Will Smith second in the lineup and demoting Mookie Betts to third did almost nothing. The same can be said for swapping Andy Pages with Alex Call.</p><p>Betts is now 3-for-23 (.130) in the World Series without an RBI. He said following the loss that he's been "terrible." </p><p>But it's not just him. </p><p>Aside from Shohei Ohtani's incredible Game 3 in which he went 4-for-4 with five walks, he's 2-for-15 with four strikeouts and two walks in the other four games. He's also gone seven straight at-bats without a hit.</p><p>Despite the Dodgers outhomering the Blue Jays 8-7 in the series, seven of those have been solo shots. Los Angeles isn't getting enough traffic on base for those big swings to really do damage on the scoreboard.</p><p>Luckily, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto going in Game 6, the Dodgers may not need to score a lot to even the series.</p><h3>L.A.'s defense is haunting them too</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/cropped_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Luke Hales / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>With Los Angeles struggling to score runs, its defense really can't afford the amount of miscues committed in Game 5.</p><p>After the Dodgers grabbed some momentum by making it 2-1 in the third inning, Teoscar Hernández's misplay that turned a Daulton Varsho single into a triple to lead off the fourth was crushing. Varsho immediately scored the following at-bat on an Ernie Clement sac fly.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Daulton Varsho leads off the fourth inning with a triple that gets by a sliding Teoscar Hernandez! <a href="https://t.co/SESf4ASC9p">pic.twitter.com/SESf4ASC9p</a></p>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1983702574323921347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Toronto put the game to bed in the seventh, scoring a pair of runs with just two hits. Addison Barger singled and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. A grounder to the right side of the infield allowed him to advance to third base, and Barger came around to score on another wild pitch. L.A. became the first team ever to throw three wild pitches during the same inning in the World Series. To add insult to injury, the Dodgers threw another wild pitch in the eighth that eventually led to the sixth run.</p><p>If you give the Blue Jays extra outs and 90 feet, they'll make you pay. It's a big part of why they're one game away from winning a championship.</p><p>"Giving up bases and not converting outs when you have an opportunity to convert outs, that came back to bite us tonight," Roberts said.</p><p>Los Angeles beat the New York Yankees in last year's World Series by taking advantage of mistakes, but the tables have turned this October, and the Dodgers' offense simply isn't good enough right now to bail them out.</p><h3>Jays ambush Snell </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/cropped_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mary DeCicco / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Despite what his final line might say, Blake Snell pitched well and kept the Dodgers in the game for 6 2/3 innings. But he was done in early, thanks to the Blue Jays' aggressiveness.</p><p>Snell's first three pitches were four-seam fastballs, and Toronto was ready for them. Davis Schneider ripped the first pitch of the game - a 97-mph fastball - into the left-field pavilion. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pounced on another fastball for a solo homer that held up as the game-winning run.</p><p>"You might only get one fastball to hit, and Snell likes his changeup," Schneider told <a href="https://x.com/MLBNetwork/status/1983747227748356484">MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi</a>. "I just didn't want to get to that changeup early on, so I was sitting fastball and didn't miss it."</p><p>From there, Snell got the message, abandoning the fastball for almost two full innings.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blake Snell: 3 straight fastballs... then didn't throw another one until the last pitch of the 2nd... <a href="https://t.co/NJmMpfvhGj">pic.twitter.com/NJmMpfvhGj</a></p>— Chris Black (@DownToBlack) <a href="https://twitter.com/DownToBlack/status/1983694911661842634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Blue Jays' plan was clearly to ambush Snell, and it worked. Four of their six hits against him came during the first time through the order, when each of Toronto's nine hitters acted quickly to try and put the ball in play.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jays order, first time through, first pitch swung at.<br><br>Schneider: 1st pitch<br>Vlad: 2nd<br>Bo: 1st<br>Kirk: 2nd<br>Varsho: 1st<br>Ernie: 1st<br>Barger: 1st<br>IKF: 2nd<br>Giménez: 2nd<br><br>Aggressive.</p>— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ/status/1983693800586539042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>That kind of aggressive approach is a hallmark of Blue Jays baseball, and it speaks to why it's been so difficult for the Dodgers to contain. Toronto puts the ball in play consistently, makes contact, and wears down opposing pitchers.</p><p>Even if the Blue Jays strike out, they'll often do so after fouling off multiple pitches and working the count deep. Schneider and Kirk both had six-pitch strikeouts in the third with multiple foul balls that drove Snell's pitch count up. Barger worked a six-pitch walk in the fourth, and Schneider did the same in the fifth. The final four batters Snell faced in Game 5 each saw five or more pitches, ultimately driving the left-hander out of the game.</p><p>The Blue Jays used the same strategy to knock off the Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Now, it has them on the cusp of a title with Dodgers pitchers kicking dirt in frustration.</p><p>Heading into this series, one of the most intriguing subplots was seeing how the powerful Dodgers' pitching staff would adjust to the contact-heavy Blue Jays' offense, and vice-versa. Clearly, Toronto's done a better job of that through the first five games. Los Angeles only has 54 outs left to flip the switch.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/33041794/related

Jays Watch: Blue Jays have 2 chances at home to win it all 

Well, that was insane.  The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in 18 innings in G...

<p>Well, that was insane.</p><p>The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3380426" href="https://thescore.com/news/3380426">6-5 in 18 innings</a> in Game 3 on Monday, matching the longest World Series game in MLB history.</p><p>Here are some of the standout numbers from the historic contest.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>0 </strong>- RBIs for Mookie Betts despite nine plate appearances. Betts went 0-for-3 with RISP and 0-for-5 with a runner on base on the night.</p><p><strong>1</strong> - Clayton Kershaw retired Nathan Lukes with the bases loaded to end the 12th inning. That was the only batter the left-hander faced in the game.</p><p><strong>2 </strong>- Players with multiple walk-off hits in the World Series. Freddie Freeman joined Goose Goslin, who did it in 1934 and 1935. Freeman, the hero on Monday night with an 18th-inning solo homer, also hit an iconic walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of last year's World Series.</p><p><strong>4</strong> - Shohei Ohtani became the the first player with four intentional walks in a postseason game. Ohtani went 4-for-4 with two home runs and two doubles in the first seven innings before he was walked five straight times.</p><p><strong>9</strong> - Ohtani set the MLB postseason record for most times reaching base. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SHOHEI OHTANI GAME 3 MASTERPIECE IN THE WORLD SERIES 🔥<br><br>Ohtani becomes the first player in MLB history with three multi-HR games in a postseason 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/vDMtUXuOHY">pic.twitter.com/vDMtUXuOHY</a></p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1983065917090050147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>10 </strong>- The Dodgers are the first team ever to use 10 pitchers in a World Series game. Four pitchers combined to record only four outs as the bullpen allowed just one run over 13 1/3 innings.</p><p><strong>17 </strong>- Hours between the end of Game 3 and the start of Game 4. Ohtani gets the ball Tuesday night coming off a 10-strikeout performance in his last start. </p><p><strong>18 </strong>- The marathon tilt matched the innings total from Game 3 between the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox in the 2018 World Series. Those are the two longest games in the history of the Fall Classic. Los Angeles won that night on a Max Muncy walk-off homer but went on to lose the series.</p><p><strong>19</strong> - Combined pitchers who came into Game 3, the most in postseason history. Neither team had a single reliever left in its bullpen. Prior to Freeman's walk-off homer, starters Shane Bieber and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were up in their respective bullpens preparing to potentially enter the game. This comes after the Dodgers only needed one pitcher in Game 2.</p><p><strong>23</strong> - Franchise record for players used by the Blue Jays in a playoff game, which also tied an MLB record. The only players Toronto did not use were Game 4 starter Bieber (who did begin to get loose in the bullpen), Kevin Gausman, and Trey Yesavage.</p><p><strong>37</strong> - Runners left on base by both teams. It certainly wasn't an offensive clinic, as the two clubs combined for one run over the final 10 innings. The Blue Jays set the World Series record by leaving 19 runners on base.</p><p><strong>44 </strong>-<strong> </strong>Total players used, marking the second most in World Series history.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807560/cropped_GettyImages-2243329004.jpg?ts=1761659655" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807560/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243329004.jpg?ts=1761659655 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807560/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243329004.jpg?ts=1761659655 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807560/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243329004.jpg?ts=1761659655 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807560/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243329004.jpg?ts=1761659655 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807560/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243329004.jpg?ts=1761659655 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mary DeCicco / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>72</strong> - Pitches thrown by Dodgers reliever Will Klein in the win. The right-hander hadn't thrown more than 36 pitches in a single outing this season and had only thrown 14 pitches total in this year's playoffs prior to Game 3.</p><p><strong>101.8 </strong>- The fastest pitch of the game delivered by Edgardo Henriquez in the 13th inning. That's right: The Dodgers' ninth pitcher of the night was throwing over 100 mph.</p><p><strong>153</strong> - Combined plate appearances between the two teams, which set a World Series record. Despite this, there were only 11 runs, 31 hits (.203 average), 19 walks, and 29 strikeouts. </p><p><strong>609</strong> - Pitches thrown, establishing another World Series record. That's more than the 549 total pitches thrown in Game 1 and 2 of the series combined.</p><p><strong>6:39</strong> - Game time. It was the longest game in Blue Jays history. </p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Max Muncy #13 and Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after Freeman's walk-off home run in the 18th inning of Game Three of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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By the numbers: Epic Game 3 full of unprecedented performances

The Baltimore Orioles have found their new manager.   Baltimore is finalizing a contract with Cle...

<p>The Baltimore Orioles have found their new manager. </p><p>Baltimore is finalizing a contract with Cleveland Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1982625102002004217">Jeff Passan of ESPN</a>. </p><p>The 42-year-old began coaching in 2015 in the minor leagues. He was the bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants from 2020-2023, before serving as the Guardians bench coach, and then associate manager over the past two seasons. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Albernaz will be Baltimore's third full-time manager since 2010. </p><p>The Orioles fired Brandon Hyde in May after a 15-28 start. Tony Mansolino served as interim manager the rest of the season, and was a candidate for the vacancy. </p><p>Hyde, who had never managed at the MLB level previously, spent eight seasons with the Orioles, and won AL Manager of the Year in 2023. He went 421-492 with Baltimore. </p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 23: Associate manager Craig Albernaz #55 of the Cleveland Guardians walks off the field prior to a game against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on April 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Report: Orioles to hire Craig Albernaz as manager

Addison Barger isn't going to accept a free shirt from just anyone.   Especially not one with dir...

<p>Addison Barger isn't going to accept a free shirt from just anyone. </p><p>Especially not one with direct ties to an AL East rival. </p><p>The Toronto Blue Jays slugger became the first player in MLB history to hit a pinch-hit grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, and was rewarded with one of the most prestigious postseason mementoes ever handed out: a David Ortiz "My Dawg" T-shirt.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQN87E_EZtX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQN87E_EZtX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>Despite the gesture from the Hall of Famer and Boston Red Sox legend, Barger just couldn't accept it.</p><p>"No, I left it. It has Red Sox on it, I'm not wearing that. Are you kidding me?" Barger joked postgame. "I'm not wearing a (team's shirt) that's in our division. No way. It's awesome, but no."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">😂 <a href="https://twitter.com/derekjeter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DerekJeter</a> enjoyed letting <a href="https://twitter.com/davidortiz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavidOrtiz</a> know that Addison Barger left behind his "MY DAWG" shirt.<br><br>AL East rivalries run deep! <a href="https://t.co/j7fX0vsjxT">pic.twitter.com/j7fX0vsjxT</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1981934315476050175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Some rivalries are bigger than others. </p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 19: Addison Barger #47 of the Toronto Blue Jays rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning in game six of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32963527/related

Barger turns down Big Papi's 'My Dawg' shirt: 'It's awesome, but no'

We break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World...

<p><em>We break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series. </em></p><h3>Blue Jays 1st team to get to Snell </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807118/cropped_GettyImages-2243128305.jpg?ts=1761371250" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807118/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243128305.jpg?ts=1761371250 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807118/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243128305.jpg?ts=1761371250 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807118/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243128305.jpg?ts=1761371250 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807118/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243128305.jpg?ts=1761371250 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807118/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243128305.jpg?ts=1761371250 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This World Series has been billed David vs. Goliath.</p><p>On Friday night, David threw a haymaker. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Now, the Blue Jays certainly aren't some small-market bottom feeder. They're armed with a top-five MLB payroll, and a $500-million star in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But still, they don't possess the same kind of star-studded roster loaded with future Hall of Famers as the Dodgers.</p><p>If you haven't seen a lot of Blue Jays baseball this season, Game 1 was the perfect representation of what's made them so successful. They don't care if they get behind early. They grind out at-bats. They're not going to strike out. And they're going to get contributions throughout the lineup.</p><p>"That's kind of how we roll," manager John Schneider said postgame. </p><p>Blake Snell entered Game 1 the best version of himself, having allowed two runs off six hits and five walks over his previous three postseason starts (21 innings), while striking out 28 batters. He had thrown 14 straight shutout innings.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Snell's postseason" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-hcWBM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hcWBM/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="255" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Toronto worked Snell for a 28-pitch first inning. Alejandro Kirk saw 18 of Snell's pitches, fouled nine off, and didn't swing and miss once. Daulton Varsho became the first left-handed hitter to homer off him since 2024. They knocked Snell out in the sixth after he loaded the bases with no outs.</p><p>It was the shortest outing of Snell's 2025 postseason, and it's the most runs and hits he's ever allowed in a playoff start. </p><p>"I thought tonight Blake just didn't have fastball command," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He was working deeper counts. When he had count leverage, he really couldn't put 'em away because they were putting the ball in play, and there were just a couple bad walks in there."</p><p>The Dodgers' rotation is the best in baseball, but the Blue Jays demonstrated in Game 1 that they're going to make you work for every pitch, and are up for any challenge. </p><h3>The supporting cast delivers again </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807095/cropped_GettyImages-2242778889.jpg?ts=1761360123" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807095/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242778889.jpg?ts=1761360123 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807095/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242778889.jpg?ts=1761360123 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807095/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242778889.jpg?ts=1761360123 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807095/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242778889.jpg?ts=1761360123 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807095/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242778889.jpg?ts=1761360123 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Blue Jays used 12 position players in Game 1. Eight of them recorded a hit. Five of them recorded multiple hits. Six drove in runs. </p><p>Toronto's relentless roster continues to power them through this incredible October run, but a pair of left-on-left swings Friday could indicate a potent lineup is becoming even more dangerous.</p><p>Varsho's home run was his second off a left-handed starter this postseason. He took Max Fried deep in the ALDS. He's already matched his home run production off southpaws this October compared to what he did in 56 regular season plate appearances.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DAULTON VARSHO TIES UP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WORLDSERIES?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WORLDSERIES</a> GAME 1! <a href="https://t.co/VncyZk97ed">pic.twitter.com/VncyZk97ed</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1981897270292283749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"He's been good against lefties, he's been good against righties, and I think he's kind of just coming into a complete player," Schneider said. "We always think about his defense and his base running, but the added threat there with the power is huge."</p><p>Addison Barger opened the game on the bench with Snell starting, but still found himself hitting in a big spot with a lefty on the mound. After Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, and Andrés Giménez all drove in runs, Barger pinch hit for Davis Schneider, and Roberts countered with Anthony Banda. Barger got ahead in the count, and then hammered a hanging slider for the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. It's just his second career home run off a lefty.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ADDISON BARGER<br>PINCH-HIT<br>GRAND SLAM<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WORLDSERIES?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WORLDSERIES</a> <a href="https://t.co/REg58MNosp">pic.twitter.com/REg58MNosp</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1981911888637349946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"Lefties are definitely more difficult usually," Barger said. "But just trying to put together good at-bats, no matter who is on the mound."</p><p>Though it's only two swings, Barger and Varsho hitting left-handed pitching for power just adds another element to this lineup. This postseason's been a coming out party for a number of Blue Jays, and you can tell they're not just happy to be here. </p><h3>Tale of 2 bullpens</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807119/cropped_GettyImages-2243127009.jpg?ts=1761374629" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807119/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243127009.jpg?ts=1761374629 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807119/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243127009.jpg?ts=1761374629 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807119/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243127009.jpg?ts=1761374629 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807119/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243127009.jpg?ts=1761374629 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807119/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243127009.jpg?ts=1761374629 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mark Blinch / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>One of the keys to the Blue Jays having success this series is to not allow the Dodgers' starters to pitch deep into games and hand the ball off to the high-leverage arms at the back of the 'pen. Toronto got into the middle of L.A.'s bullpen in Game 1, and that's where things changed.</p><p>Alex Vesia's absence could be significant, as Dave Roberts will have his hands full trying to bridge the gap to Blake Treinen and Roki Sasaki. Emmet Sheehan and Banda were the first two arms out of the bullpen in Game 1, and the pair combined to allow six runs while recording only three outs.</p><p>"They need to bounce back," Roberts said. "With the construct of the pen, we're going to need 'em, and so we got a long way to go, a lot of baseball, but they certainly got to make good pitches."</p><p>The four relievers Roberts used (Sheehan, Banda, Justin Wrobleski, and Will Klein) threw 56 pitches over three innings and didn't record a strikeout.</p><p>Dodgers starters own a 1.95 ERA across 69 1/3 innings this October, while their bullpen has a 6.16 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. </p><p>The Blue Jays' pen, meanwhile, kept them in the game after Trey Yesavage labored through four innings. The rookie right-hander allowed two runs and struck out five, but permitted nine baserunners and forced Schneider to go to his bullpen early. Mason Fluharty and Seranthony Domínguez combined to allow just two baserunners over their two innings, and kept the game tied before the nine-run explosion in the sixth.</p><p>For as maligned as the Blue Jays' bullpen has been at times this season, the group has stepped up in October, and has been the reason why Toronto's won a number of games. L.A.'s bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, while Toronto's kept the door open for its offense to get back in the game.</p><h3>Bo looks comfortable at 2B </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807031/cropped_GettyImages-2242548516.jpg?ts=1761328355" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807031/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242548516.jpg?ts=1761328355 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807031/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242548516.jpg?ts=1761328355 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807031/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242548516.jpg?ts=1761328355 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807031/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242548516.jpg?ts=1761328355 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807031/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242548516.jpg?ts=1761328355 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cole Burston / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Not only did the Blue Jays include Bo Bichette on the World Series roster, but they rolled him out at a position he'd never played during his seven-year MLB career in Game 1.</p><p>Bichette opened the night at second base, and despite playing on a knee that he admitted pregame still isn't 100%, he looked quite comfortable. Bichette singled in the first inning, grounded into a double play in the third, and walked in the sixth before being replaced by a pinch runner.</p><p>"I felt pretty good," Bichette said. </p><p>Schneider said going into the series he wasn't concerned that the month-plus layoff would hinder Bichette offensively, and the real challenge would be how he responds defensively. The Blue Jays, assuming Bichette comes out of Game 1 healthy, have to be pretty impressed with what he gave them at second base.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bo Bichette had never played second base in MLB before tonight 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/mFo9SQwLz7">pic.twitter.com/mFo9SQwLz7</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1981892531928580587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"The play up the middle was kind of the thing we were looking for, and he handled it, made a good throw," Schneider said. </p><p>Bichette revealed that he broached the idea of playing second base to the team, as he believed it was the quickest way he could get back from his knee injury. Giménez has been excellent filling in defensively at shortstop, and deploying Bichette at second makes managing the roster much easier for Schneider.</p><h3>Ohtani receives rude welcome</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807114/cropped_GettyImages-2243131339.jpg?ts=1761366479" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807114/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243131339.jpg?ts=1761366479 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807114/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243131339.jpg?ts=1761366479 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807114/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243131339.jpg?ts=1761366479 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807114/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243131339.jpg?ts=1761366479 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807114/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243131339.jpg?ts=1761366479 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mark Blinch / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>So much for friendly Canadians.</p><p>Shohei Ohtani was greeted by loud boos at Rogers Centre from the moment he was introduced pregame.</p><p>The wounds are clearly still fresh, even two seasons removed from Ohtani's decision to pick California over Canada. </p><p>On the heels of arguably the greatest postseason game ever played, in which Ohtani hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters, the soon-to-be four-time MVP was good, but not great, in Game 1, and missed his chance to impact the game until it was too late.</p><p>He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and a walk. His ground out with the bases loaded in the second inning could have changed the game. His two-run home run in the seventh was his fourth in his last two games, but came much too late. </p><p>Strikeouts remain a major issue for Ohtani this postseason, as he's now struck out 19 times in 45 at-bats, though Roberts isn't overly concerned.</p><p>"The homer was nice," Roberts said. "Hopefully he can kind of build on that one. He's going to be all right. Obviously you like him with the bases loaded, and Yesavage made a good pitch with the split down below. But yeah, he's going to be fine."</p><p>With the game out of reach in the ninth, the crowd at Rogers Centre serenaded Ohtani with chants of "We don't need you."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blue Jays faithful with the "We don't need you" chant to Shohei Ohtani <a href="https://t.co/VaIyBnV92b">pic.twitter.com/VaIyBnV92b</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1981924872121913653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>With potentially six games to go in the series, it might not be the best idea to poke the bear - especially one as talented as the Japanese superstar. But you can also understand Blue Jays fans wanting to get their own small piece of revenge after being the punchline of so many plane jokes over the last two years.</p><p>"Kind of heard it," Schneider said of the jeers, "but it's tough to talk about a player like that, to be honest with you. He's special. I'm glad that the home run he hit came when it came and we had a little cushion. But I love that our fans are passionate about our team."</p>

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Jays Watch: Bats get to Snell, fans get on Ohtani in Game 1 blowout

theScore provides insights and analysis from the Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Dodgers in Game 1 o...

<p><em>theScore provides </em><em>insights and analysis from the Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series. Relive all the action below.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-XBpLd" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/XBpLd/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p><strong>9th inning: </strong>What an opening salvo from the Blue Jays. Toronto flexed all of its muscles during an 11-4 Game 1 beatdown of the Dodgers. The Blue Jays' 14 hits were the most in the first game of a World Series since 2010, per <a href="https://x.com/MLBStats/status/1981938864437473408">MLB Stats</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Blue Jays close out their first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> win since 1993! <a href="https://t.co/z0U7hN85uo">pic.twitter.com/z0U7hN85uo</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1981925815496446432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Jays shook off a slow start and some early mistakes to tie the game and firmly seize control by the fifth. They forced Dave Roberts to go to his beleaguered bullpen earlier than he wanted, and kept Roki Sasaki - perhaps the Dodgers' only reliable reliever - out of the game entirely.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Game 1 can often be a bellweather for how the series will go. Of the 21 teams who came back from multiple runs down to win the first game of a World Series, 15 ended up winning the series, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1981921420411040019">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>. That's certainly good news for the Blue Jays, but they can't rest yet - Game 2 is less than 24 hours away, and these Dodgers are not about to give up their crown without a fight.</p><p><strong>8th inning: </strong>It wasn't the easiest top of the eighth for Chris Bassitt, but he got the job done. The veteran right-hander worked around a walk to Teoscar Hernández to pitch a scoreless frame. After being left off the ALDS roster, Bassitt's suddenly emerged as a key relief weapon for the Jays, recording five strikeouts without allowing a run over 3 2/3 innings during the ALCS and World Series.</p><p><strong>7th inning: </strong>Here's a little bit of history for Shohei Ohtani, who crushed his first-ever World Series home run off Braydon Fisher to make it a seven-run game. The two-way superstar is just the second Japanese player to homer in the World Series, joining former Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui. It's probably bittersweet for Ohtani, though, as it comes on the heels of Toronto's nine-run outburst.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="et" dir="ltr">Shohei Ohtani hits his first career <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> home run! <a href="https://t.co/hN5AYC2vlc">pic.twitter.com/hN5AYC2vlc</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1981915316419506263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>6th inning: </strong>The Blue Jays just served notice to the Dodgers: This ain't Milwaukee. Toronto unleashed its offensive fury on L.A. with an incredible nine-run sixth inning, highlighted by Addison Barger hitting the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. It was the most runs scored in one inning of a World Series game since the Detroit Tigers' 10-run third inning in Game 6 of the 1968 Fall Classic, per <a href="https://x.com/jorgecastillo/status/1981914594000925049">ESPN's Jorge Castillo</a>. In one half-inning, the Blue Jays might've just turned this entire series on its head.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">GRAND SLAM ADDISON BARGER!<br><br>IT'S 9-2 <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BLUEJAYS</a>! <a href="https://t.co/CjyVpf3Ufl">pic.twitter.com/CjyVpf3Ufl</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1981912476599120223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>6th inning: </strong>It's Game 1 of the World Series and Ernie Clement is hitting .444 with a 1.080 OPS for the postseason. The red-hot utility man drives in the go-ahead run for his 20th hit, tying him with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the playoff lead. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ernie Clement drives a go-ahead single! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/C72nJKL2c4">pic.twitter.com/C72nJKL2c4</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1981908829672452211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>6th inning: </strong>Bo Bichette is out of the game after drawing a walk as Isiah Kiner-Falefa pinch runs for him. It seems like a bit of an early hook after Bichette looked really good in his first action in more than a month. He had an immediate impact tonight, going 1-for-2 with a walk while making a really nice defensive play at second base.</p><p>Alejandro Kirk has been a huge pain for Blake Snell tonight. Not only is the catcher 2-for-2 with a walk against the left-hander, but he's seen 18 pitches while fouling off nine and not swinging and missing. Snell's out of the game after loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth, forcing Dave Roberts to ask his often-shaky bullpen for 12 outs.</p><p><strong>6th inning: </strong>It's been a pretty weird outing for Blake Snell. He's allowed more hits tonight (7) than in his previous three postseason outings (21 innings), but he's only given up the two runs. The Blue Jays have hit into two double plays and gifted Snell an out at third base. But they've also reached base in multiple innings and run up Snell's pitch count, making the left-hander throw 84 pitches through five innings. The key to Toronto winning this series will be getting into L.A.'s bullpen early, and it's knocking on the door in Game 1.</p><p><strong>4th inning: </strong>Rogers Centre is alive again. Daulton Varsho crushed a two-run homer to dead center to tie Game 1. The Blue Jays did what they do best: bided their time and gradually wore Snell down before pouncing on him here to make it a brand new ballgame. It's just the first home run Snell's allowed to a left-handed hitter this season. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per ESPN Research: Before Daulton Varsho just now, the last left-handed hitter to homer off Blake Snell was Juan Soto -- on June 2, 2024.</p>— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/1981898745445769444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Varsho hit just two home runs off southpaws in 50 at-bats during the regular season, but has hit two this postseason (Max Fried and Snell). </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DAULTON VARSHO!!! WE'RE TIED IN TORONTO!!! 🗣️🗣️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/EJquanVZwv">pic.twitter.com/EJquanVZwv</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1981897530444013854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>3rd inning: </strong>John Schneider allowed Trey Yesavage to work out of several jams during his last start in the ALCS, but he can't risk this game getting away from him. Yesavage has needed 67 pitches to get seven outs and is really struggling to throw strikes. He's already given up four hits and three walks, while striking out two.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trey Yesavage just went 32 pitches without throwing a splitter, has only thrown 7 total, and is barely even using it vs lefties</p>— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1981891429862379748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>2nd inning: </strong>You can't give a team like the Dodgers extra outs. The Blue Jays built a reputation on doing all the little things right all season, so Ernie Clement's unnecessary baserunning mistake bails Blake Snell out of another jam.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ernie Clement gets burned going for the extra base! <a href="https://t.co/kqZxRP2L7P">pic.twitter.com/kqZxRP2L7P</a></p>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1981888861274820616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>2nd inning: </strong>Trey Yesavage is going to need his secondary stuff to be better. The right-hander's slider was ineffective in the second inning. Max Muncy, Enrique Hernández, and Tommy Edman all singled off the pitch, leading to a run. It's curious as to why Yesavage abandoned the splitter, throwing his go-to pitch just five times in the frame.</p><p>Switch-hitter Tommy Edman batted right-handed against Yesavage to combat the splitter and singled on a dribbler to third base.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You can see Trey is a bit overly anxious and coming off of his delivery. Hopefully getting out of this jam settles him down a bit.</p>— Ricky Romero (@Ricky_Ro24) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ricky_Ro24/status/1981886485415800833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>1st inning:</strong> Blake Snell, who's pitching for the first time in 11 days, does not look sharp. The left-hander managed to get out of a bases-loaded jam, but it's clear he may have his hands full with the Blue Jays' contact-oriented approach. Snell threw just 15 of his 29 pitches for strikes, and managed just one whiff - on his 28th pitch. Alejandro Kirk worked him for a walk after fouling off five balls in a nine-pitch plate appearance.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blake Snell's 29 pitches in the first inning were his most thrown in an opening frame all season and second-most over 67 starts since 2023</p>— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArdenZwelling/status/1981883034157920362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Snell entered the start with 28 strikeouts over 21 innings this postseason, and generated 22 whiffs during his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NLCS.</p><p><strong>1st inning: </strong>How's that for a moment? Trey Yesavage strikes out Shohei Ohtani on a splitter to open the World Series. It's the 18th strikeout for Ohtani in 42 at-bats this postseason.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WELCOME TO THE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WORLDSERIES?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WORLDSERIES</a>, TREY YESAVAGE!! <a href="https://t.co/ZqZFeknmW6">pic.twitter.com/ZqZFeknmW6</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1981877843249262789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Bo Bichette passes his first test at second base, handling a routine grounder off the bat of Freddie Freeman to record the third out. The ball will always find you. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Might be one of the reasons Bichette is playing second for the first time in his MLB career <br><br>Only 7 of Yesavage’s 70 batted balls have been fielded by second baseman <br><br>Need your best defender at short behind Yesavage <a href="https://t.co/sinUL8dIum">pic.twitter.com/sinUL8dIum</a></p>— Peter Appel (@peterappel23) <a href="https://twitter.com/peterappel23/status/1981810808167268565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> Trey Yesavage receives a loud ovation as he heads to the bullpen to warm up, while the Dodgers are booed heavily as they line up for player introductions. Shohei Ohtani gets the worst of it. Blue Jays fans clearly aren't over him picking the Dodgers over them. Ohtani silenced the boos last year when he played at Rogers Centre, homering in his first at-bat. We'll see what he has in store in the 1st inning.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The crowd "welcomes" Ohtani to Toronto during starting lineups. <a href="https://t.co/GojZKNsSLf">pic.twitter.com/GojZKNsSLf</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1981871473716494612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Pregame:</strong> We're 30 minutes away from Toronto's first Fall Classic since 1993. There's a significant advantage to winning the opener, as the team that takes Game 1 has gone on to win 64.2% of World Series, including 18 of the last 22. The Blue Jays are 4-2 at Rogers Centre this postseason, while the Dodgers are 4-0 on the road. </p><p><strong>Pregame: </strong>The Blue Jays announce that Kevin Gausman will start Game 2 against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Gausman's been excellent this October, posting a 2.00 ERA over 18 innings. His last appearance came in relief during Game 7 of the ALCS.</p><p><strong>Pregame: </strong>Bo Bichette is back and, surprise, it's at second base. Blue Jays manager John Schneider hinted at the position switch during his media availability Thursday, though it's still a major surprise to see him move positions on the biggest stage.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Well he’s never played 2nd base so it’s a good time to try it, in the World Series.” ‼<br><br>Our short stops <a href="https://twitter.com/derekjeter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DerekJeter</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AROD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AROD</a> offer their thoughts on Bo Bichette playing his first MLB game at 2nd base tonight in Game 1. <a href="https://t.co/F6FAGSuZHv">pic.twitter.com/F6FAGSuZHv</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1981863180293878102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Bichette, who has played exclusively at shortstop for his entire seven-year career, said Friday that he approached the club about changing positions in hopes that it would allow him to return from a knee injury quicker. We'll see how much mobility Bichette has coming off a layoff of over one month. George Springer will continue to serve as the DH, though Ross Atkins acknowledged that things could change as the series progresses.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 YOUR GAME 1 LINEUP 🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WANTITALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WANTITALL</a> <a href="https://t.co/7hiL6oatHQ">pic.twitter.com/7hiL6oatHQ</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1981801919493681321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>There's no real surprises with how the Dodgers are rolling things out against Trey Yesavage. The Blue Jays rookie right-hander, who is the second-youngest pitcher to ever start Game 1 of a World Series, will have his hands full with three future Hall of Famers to start the game.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game 1.<br><br>Tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> Dodgers lineup at Blue Jays: <a href="https://t.co/Bid3U5kOq2">pic.twitter.com/Bid3U5kOq2</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1981813533139439726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Chasing October: Relive Blue Jays' big Game 1 win over Dodgers

Editor's Note: This feature was originally published leading into the ALDS. George Springer's thr...

<p><em>Editor's Note: This feature was originally published leading into the ALDS. George Springer's three-run home run in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners helped propel the Blue Jays into their first World Series appearance since 1993. </em></p><p>TORONTO - George Springer wasn't going to allow a teammate to feel like they let everyone down.</p><p>It was a tough day on the mound for Brendon Little in a crucial late August series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Toronto Blue Jays reliever had loaded the bases after committing a pair of errors, and he was left to watch helplessly from the dugout as Tommy Nance came in and managed to escape the jam without allowing a run.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Moments after Nance recorded the third out, Springer emerged behind Little to offer him a hug and some words of encouragement. It was one brief moment in a grueling 162-game season, but it stayed with<strong> </strong>the sophomore reliever.</p><p>"It was awesome," Little told theScore about the exchange. "On those days where you come up short, and for him to come up and say, 'Hey, you're gonna have a lot more outs the rest of season and move on from this one,' it was cool."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">if you ever question who this team’s leader is, it’s george. his impact &amp; the type of teammate he is can’t be put into words <a href="https://t.co/r5mWS75mCl">pic.twitter.com/r5mWS75mCl</a></p>— maddie (@maddiecholette) <a href="https://twitter.com/maddiecholette/status/1962231507986022550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Clubhouse culture can be eyewash, and it doesn't automatically translate to winning. But small moments and gestures like Springer's toward Little are clearly part of the fabric of what's been a successful season in Toronto.</p><p>"It wasn't something that I planned. It just kind of happened," Springer explained. "This game is so hard, and there's not one guy in this locker room that goes up there trying to fail. Whenever it doesn't go your way, you always tend to feel like it's on you.</p><p>"I just felt like in my heart right there that I wanted him to know that it doesn't matter. I don't ever want him, or anybody for that matter, to lose confidence in themselves just off of one thing in a game because there's always another day."</p><p>The Blue Jays ended up beating the Brewers that day for one of the 94 wins that helped the team capture its first division title since 2015. They all count.</p><p>Springer's been in Toronto for five years now, joining the Blue Jays ahead of the 2021 season on a then franchise-record six-year, $150-million contract. Landing a three-time All-Star, World Series champion, and World Series MVP was a massive get for a franchise that, at the time, was never in the running for the biggest free-agent stars.</p><p>The early returns were excellent. Even with some injury issues over the first two seasons, Springer was a strong offensive presence. He helped lead the club to playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, although the team got swept in both series. He showed some signs of decline in 2023, but he bottomed out in 2024, posting a career-worst .674 OPS as Toronto finished last in the division and creating considerable concern that the 35-year-old's best days were behind him.</p><p>His 2025 turnaround has been completely unexpected - at least for almost everyone outside the organization. Armed with a new offensive approach and spending more time in the designated hitter role to keep him fresh, Springer's been resurgent, hitting 32 home runs and posting a team-leading .959 OPS. He's one of the biggest reasons the Blue Jays enter the postseason as the American League's No. 1 seed.</p><p>"It's just great to see someone that is truly a great human, good father, good husband, and then went through struggle, but found his way back out," Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. told theScore. "He's having a legitimate MVP-caliber season."</p><p>McCullers spent five years in Houston with Springer. The pitcher says it's easy to know who's real and who isn't when you play with someone for so long. McCullers deems Springer as real as they come and considers him one of his favorite teammates.</p><p>"It doesn't surprise me that he did something like that," McCullers said of Springer looking out for a teammate. "George is an amazing leader, but it's a quiet leadership. It's an example-set-forth type of leadership. You just watch guys and you see the way they show up to the field. You see the way they prepare, and the way they work, and how hard they play.</p><p>"You can't fake that type of infectious personality for that long. George is one of those guys where it didn't matter if he was going through rough stretches or not, he's just one of those guys that is very infectious and a stable part of the clubhouse. Teams find root in those type of players."</p><p>McCullers' assessment aligns with how Springer describes his own leadership. While Springer's been praised for his work as the clubhouse DJ - both McCullers and Carlos Correa said that was one of the biggest things they missed when Springer signed in Toronto - he said he prefers to let his play and preparation be his calling card<strong>.</strong></p><p>"My way of (showing leadership) is just by how I play," Springer said. "I'm not very vocal. I think I've learned to be a little bit more vocal in my time here. I just do it the best way I think I know how and that's just to go play. And if I can give every ounce of my strength and every ounce of my body, hopefully somebody else sees it, and wants to do the same thing."</p><h3>'A very special season'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803238/cropped_GettyImages-2235583678.jpg?ts=1759032579" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803238/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235583678.jpg?ts=1759032579 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803238/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235583678.jpg?ts=1759032579 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803238/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235583678.jpg?ts=1759032579 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803238/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235583678.jpg?ts=1759032579 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803238/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235583678.jpg?ts=1759032579 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mark Blinch / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Carlos Correa always makes sure to check in with Springer before they play each other. Correa was on the field pregame ahead of a late September series between the Astros and Blue Jays to catch up with his friend and former teammate, and he brought a special request from his son.</p><p>"When I called home today, my 3-year old doesn't even say good morning. He says, 'Papi, tell George to come back to the Astros,'" Correa recalled. "And I was like, 'I don't think it works like that, buddy, but I'll try.' So then I went out there and I put him on the phone, and he asked him the same thing. My kids already know the history of the Astros and want him back."</p><p>Correa's kept close tabs on Springer since he left Houston, and Springer's dominant 2025 season came as no surprise to him. The Astros third baseman - a member of the Minnesota Twins at the time - spoke with Springer on the phone after the Blue Jays hired David Popkins, the former Twins hitting coach, last October.</p><p>"Popkins is a huge difference-maker in a team," Correa said. "When Springer called me in the offseason to ask me about Pop, I told him, 'If you guys get him, you're gonna rake,' and that's exactly what he's been doing. Pop knows what he's doing out there."</p><p>"I talked to Carlos about Pop at some length and everything he said has been 100% accurate," Springer said. "I trust (Correa's) word. Whenever he speaks, his words hold weight. I was able to kind of let my guard down faster."</p><p>Springer and Popkins got to work almost immediately, and Correa's recommendation allowed them to form a bond more quickly. They had numerous conversations and spent a lot of time diving into video dating back to Springer's minor-league days.</p><p>Coming off the worst season of his career made Springer receptive to feedback. He wasn't satisfied with his performance and wasn't willing to give into the aging curve. Springer wanted to keep contributing to the team and ensure he was giving the Blue Jays a good return on his contract.</p><p>So when Popkins approached Springer about some adjustments, he was all ears.</p><p>"I mean, hitting is weird, right? There's no secret sauce to it. Everybody has their own styles, own opinions," Springer said. "I think one of the things for me as a hitter is learning to trust somebody else, because at the end of the day, no one's going to try to do something that's not going to help.</p><p>"The older I've gotten, it's been easier to trust somebody else to really dive into and really embrace what they're saying and learn from that."</p><p>The changes worked. Not only has Springer bounced back, but he's been the Blue Jays' best offensive player. He finished the season third in OPS behind Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani - the likely MVPs in their respective leagues.</p><p>Springer's improved in essentially every offensive metric over last season. Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was with Springer in Houston, sees Springer using the entire field again and being aggressive. Cora also thinks Toronto's kept him fresher by giving him more days at DH.</p><p>The year-over-year statistics show that Springer's barreling the ball more, swinging faster, and chasing less. When he makes contact, he's hitting the baseball with much more authority.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Springer's 2024 vs. 2025" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-e0vF4" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/e0vF4/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="411" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><p>Popkins is quick to deflect any praise he receives back to his players.</p><p>"I mean, he's in the box swinging," Popkins said. "That's all him."</p><p>He continued, "Getting to know George and helping him put that puzzle together is what we're addicted to in our field. It's been a very special season. I can't tell you how proud I am of him to overcome the adversity that he had last year."</p><h3><strong>'He's a winner' </strong></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803934/cropped_GettyImages-2237975627.jpg?ts=1759420145" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803934/w220xh124_GettyImages-2237975627.jpg?ts=1759420145 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803934/w320xh180_GettyImages-2237975627.jpg?ts=1759420145 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803934/w640xh360_GettyImages-2237975627.jpg?ts=1759420145 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803934/w768xh432_GettyImages-2237975627.jpg?ts=1759420145 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803934/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2237975627.jpg?ts=1759420145 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cole Burston / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>If the Blue Jays are going to be successful this October, they'll need Springer to live up to his reputation as a clutch playoff performer.</p><p>Springer enters the ALDS tied with Albert Pujols, Corey Seager, and Alex Bregman for the sixth-most postseason home runs (19) in MLB history. His next playoff homer will tie him with Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.</p><p>"I think when you match preparation with work ethic and talent, those guys tend to just step up more often," McCullers said of Springer's ability to excel in big moments.</p><p>"George just has so much talent - one of the most talented guys I've ever seen play baseball - but also he's very smart, and he really does work at this game daily. When those big moments arise, it's not a moment where he would feel intimidated or overwhelmed. It's just another opportunity to show off that skill and that preparation."</p><p>That's exactly what the Blue Jays are hoping for. With a number of young players set to make their postseason debuts Saturday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider believes his clubhouse will lean on Springer's experience as not only a champion, but a World Series MVP.</p><p>"It's nice to have guys to kind of say, 'This is what it's like.' ... It's good to have that knowledge," Schneider said. "It's nice to have that for everyone else to kind of talk through."</p><p>Springer's magical season has already led the Blue Jays to two celebrations:<strong> </strong>the first for securing a playoff spot and the second for capturing Toronto's first AL East title since 2015. The Jays haven't played in the<strong> </strong>Fall Classic since defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993.</p><p>"He's a winner," Cora said. </p><p>The Blue Jays are hoping he's a World Series winner in Toronto. </p>

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'He's a winner': Blue Jays hoping to ride Springer's magical season to World Series

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Brandon Wile

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