theScore provides running analysis and insights for Game 7 of the World Series. Follow along thro...

<p><em>theScore provides running analysis </em><em>and insights for Game 7 of the World Series. Follow along throughout the night as we break down everything between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. Pull down on iOS to refresh feed.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-LUlYS" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LUlYS/1/" 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>4th inning:</strong> This World Series has had it all, and now we've got the benches clearing. Andrés Giménez takes exception to three fastballs up and in and exchanges words with Justin Wrobleski after he's eventually hit on the hand by a pitch. Wrobleski, after using some colorful language during the heated exchange, clearly tells Giménez that he "wasn't trying" to plunk him, but emotions are high nonetheless. Both benches are warned, and now the two teams need to keep their emotions in check for the rest of the game as they look to win a championship.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Benches clear in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> Game 7 after Andrés Giménez is hit by a pitch by Justin Wrobleski in the 4th inning. <a href="https://t.co/cZr401tIIo">pic.twitter.com/cZr401tIIo</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1984794867252207623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>4th inning: </strong>John Schneider showed enormous - and probably too much - faith in Max Scherzer, and gets bailed out by two incredible defensive plays from Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Dodgers scratch across a run, but the Blue Jays have to feel like they got away with one there. Getting 12 outs from Scherzer is huge for Schneider in how he plans to navigate the rest of this game. With Seranthony Dominguez warm, it's time to go to someone else to start the fifth. Still, huge credit to Scherzer for another gutsy postseason performance. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Dodgers get a run back ...<br><br>But Daulton Varsho's stellar play prevents further trouble 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/beq7KOuHTb">pic.twitter.com/beq7KOuHTb</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1984792807152783706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>3rd inning: </strong>What a time for Bo Bichette to connect on his first postseason home run. After struggling to run the bases in the second inning, Bichette made life much easier on himself by connecting on a three-run home run that ended Shohei Ohtani's night. There's no denying Ohtani's superstardom, but he is human, and he looked every bit of it tonight. He allows three runs off five hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings. It's Ohtani's shortest start since July 30 when he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Ohtani coming out of the game as the pitcher might actually benefit the Dodgers though, as now he only needs to focus on his at-bats.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BO WANTS NOISE 🗣️<br><br>HIS FIRST <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WORLDSERIES?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WORLDSERIES</a> HOMER! <a href="https://t.co/HYASfMGE0A">pic.twitter.com/HYASfMGE0A</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1984788527305912796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>3rd inning: </strong>Max Scherzer is giving the Blue Jays everything he has left. The 41-year-old's recorded nine big outs on 28 pitches, and has retired the last nine hitters after allowing a single to Shohei Ohtani to lead off the game. We'll see how deep into the game John Schneider allows Scherzer with the lineup turned over, but every out is critical. The bullpen is quiet for now. </p><p>Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani comes out of the dugout to loud boos with only 20 seconds left on the clock, but is afforded some extra time to get ready. For as talented as Ohtani is, this has to be taxing on his body. There's been a lot of long innings already, and now the lineup turns over. The Blue Jays need to gain some momentum before Dave Roberts goes to his 'pen. </p><p><strong>2nd inning: </strong>Bo Bichette is really limited by his knee. Twice in the inning he fails to pick up an extra bag and it costs the Blue Jays a run. Bichette's bat remains vital to the lineup - even if he's compromised physically - but the Blue Jays will likely need to run for him later in the game if the score is close. Toronto keeps lacking the big hit and strands the bases loaded. This comes after they went 1-for-9 with RISP in Game 6.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Blue Jays got the 2-out hit but Bo Bichette had to stop at 3rd. <a href="https://t.co/eDejBzUu37">pic.twitter.com/eDejBzUu37</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984784190706180213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>2nd inning: </strong>Blue Jays manager John Schneider had an extended conversation with home plate umpire Jordan Baker before the bottom of the second, after which the umps converged. It's unclear what the meeting was about, but there's a good chance it was related to Shohei Ohtani taking too long to get to the mound. Before the bottom of the first, Ohtani - who was on base in the top half of the inning - only took the mound with 40 seconds left on the clock, and umpires allowed him extra time to warm up.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Schneider spoke with Jordan Baker in-between innings after Shohei Ohtani got extra warm-up time before the bottom of the 1st<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> Game 7 on FOX <a href="https://t.co/w2bWNQZz76">pic.twitter.com/w2bWNQZz76</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984780874618151069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Per the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/pitch-timer">pitch clock rules</a>, umpires are allowed to add warmup time in "special circumstances," such as a catcher needing extra time to put on his gear. Still, it's a bit curious as to why Ohtani was given the extra grace period. If that's what Schneider was arguing, he may have a fair point.</p><p><strong>1st inning: </strong>Shohei Ohtani isn't especially sharp, but the Blue Jays bail him out with some more bad baserunning. George Springer is easily thrown out at second base after appearing to think Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drew a walk. It's the second time this has happened this series. Just puzzling stuff.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shohei Ohtani strikes out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as George Springer gets caught at second base to end the inning 👀 <a href="https://t.co/pziNRnWzFR">pic.twitter.com/pziNRnWzFR</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1984779719003263334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>1st inning: </strong>The first inning has been Max Scherzer's Achilles heel all season long, but he made it through unscathed here. Scherzer worked around a Shohei Ohtani leadoff single to hold the Dodgers scoreless in the top half. Though he didn't record a strikeout, his fastball averaged 95 mph which is a good sign. Scherzer also got some help from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who made a tremendous diving play to steal a base hit from Will Smith.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Diving snag by Vladdy for the first out!<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/JiPA1acafN">pic.twitter.com/JiPA1acafN</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984776095531757999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>Pregame: </strong>Expect Shohei Ohtani to throw as long as he's effective. Tom Verducci of Fox Sports reports that there's no pitch count or innings limit on the right-hander - even with him pitching on three days' rest. Ohtani threw a season-high 100 pitches in the NLCS on Oct. 17, and threw 93 pitches in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">When could we see Blue Jays star rookie Trey Yesavage tonight?<br><br>Also, will the Dodgers have ALL of their starters available? 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ken_Rosenthal</a> and Tom Verducci have the latest on how both teams plan to use their pitching staffs in Game 7! <a href="https://t.co/Iakf4C6mxk">pic.twitter.com/Iakf4C6mxk</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984766285365068073?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>Lineups:</strong> The Dodgers are deploying the same personnel as in Game 6 but with a few minor tweaks. Dave Roberts flipped Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández, as well as Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game 7.<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/Qj9NuHxy2E">pic.twitter.com/Qj9NuHxy2E</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1984713600972533853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>John Schneider flipped Addison Barger and Daulton Varsho in the order for Game 7. Barger is 10-for-21 (.476) in the World Series, while Varsho is 5-for-26 (.192). Varsho's also 0-for-7 with RISP over the first six games of the series. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">GAME SEVEN. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WANTITALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WANTITALL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ezFxAfinAq">pic.twitter.com/ezFxAfinAq</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1984705147453288663?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> The Dodgers will throw Shohei Ohtani on three days' rest to open Game 7. It's just the second time in Ohtani's career that he'll pitch on short rest, and first time as a Dodger. Expect Dave Roberts to get as many outs as he can from Ohtani before handing the ball to either Blake Snell or Tyler Glasnow.</p><p>Roberts even hinted that Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto could be available. </p><p>"He said that if he feels good (playing catch pregame), he is definitely interested," Roberts said. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">How many of these three Dodgers starters will we see in Game 7? <a href="https://t.co/INbbjtx1JX">pic.twitter.com/INbbjtx1JX</a></p>— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1984633527304962302?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> Max Scherzer gets the start for the Blue Jays in what might be the final outing of his incredible career. Scherzer will become the fifth pitcher in MLB history to start multiple World Series Game 7s after having started the decisive game for the Washington Nationals in 2019. The 41-year-old started Game 3 of this year's series and allowed three runs over 4 1/3 innings.</p><p>"I walked past him last night after the game and it looked like he was ready to kill somebody," Schneider said of Scherzer. "So that's kind of where he's at. So you trust him to be ready for this environment."</p><p>Schneider said that likely every pitcher will be available other than Kevin Gausman. Trey Yesavage will feature into Game 7 at some point. </p><p>"I'm going to try to give him a clean inning," Schneider said pregame of Yesavage. "I'm not sure it's going to happen, with anyone really tonight, but that would be ideal. I think whenever a guy is used to starting an inning, you kind of want to do that with him, but I think he understands that that may not happen tonight."</p><p><strong>Pregame: </strong>Welcome to Game 7. It's the 45th time the World Series will feature a Game 7, and the first since 2019. The Dodgers are looking to become the first back-to-back champions since the New York Yankees won three straight titles from 1998-2000, and the first NL team to repeat since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are seeking their first World Series title since 1993.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Blue Jays can join the 1991 Twins and 2013 Red Sox as the only teams in MLB history to go from last place to World Series champions the following year<br><br>h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBNetwork</a> research squad</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1984681457365766596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Chasing October: Live analysis of World Series Game 7

The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani to start Game 7 of the World Serie...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to three-time MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> to start Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.</p><p>Ohtani last pitched in Game 4 on Tuesday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over six innings as the starter. He threw 93 pitches in the loss.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> Dave Roberts said he’s “not sure” how long Shohei Ohtani will pitch. “I want to withhold expectations and kind of read and react”</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1984737865033474507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Saturday was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4257" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4257">Tyler Glasnow</a>'s expected day to pitch. However, the flamethrowing right-hander acted as the Game 6 closer after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19077">Roki Sasaki</a> allowed the first two batters of the ninth to reach base in his second inning of work. Glasnow required only three pitches to earn the save and he's expected to be available for multiple innings during Game 7.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Manager Dave Roberts added that Game 6 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a> made himself available for Saturday's game on zero days' rest, according to <a href="https://x.com/BillShaikin/status/1984738030456803709">Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times</a>. Yamamoto, who threw 96 pitches on Friday, was seen warming up in the Rogers Centre outfield pregame Saturday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said last night that Yoshinobu Yamamoto wouldn’t be available today, but … <a href="https://t.co/uJvxqtmlLD">pic.twitter.com/uJvxqtmlLD</a></p>— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) <a href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/1984731513431474186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Ohtani has only pitched on short rest once before in his MLB career. The appearance came in 2023 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels after an abbreviated outing due to a rain delay. He wound up throwing seven shutout innings against the Kansas City Royals, racking up 11 strikeouts, in his next game.</p><p>The Blue Jays will counter with future Hall of Famer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a>. Scherzer started Game 3 opposite Glasnow, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 4 1/3 innings. This will be the second time in Scherzer's storied career that he starts a World Series Game 7. Scherzer is the fourth pitcher to make multiple World Series Game 7 starts, joining Bob Gibson (1964, '67, '68), Don Larsen (1957, '58), and Lew Burdette (1957, '58).</p><p>Jays manager John Schneider stated that Game 5 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a> "will definitely be a part of Game 7," according to <a href="https://x.com/Brandon_N_Wile/status/1984679814674915598">theScore's Brandon Wile</a>. He added that staff ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3634">Kevin Gausman</a> "kind of emptied the tank" during Friday night's Game 6.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after pitching during Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Ohtani starts World Series Game 7 on 3 days' rest

The Los Angeles Dodgers made it to Game 7 of the World Series. Who will pitch for them in the fir...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers made it to Game 7 of the World Series. Who will pitch for them in the first inning on Saturday remains to be seen.</p><p>Manager Dave Roberts wouldn't name a starter for the winner-take-all contest in the immediate aftermath of his team's season-saving Game 6 win. However, he did note that two-way star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> is a "possibility" to start the game, according to <a href="https://x.com/Brandon_N_Wile/status/1984466267986694641">theScore's Brandon Wile</a>.</p><p>If Ohtani does start Game 7, he'll be working on three days' rest for just the second time in his career. The previous instance he started on three days' rest was in 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels, when he came back three days after a rain delay cut his earlier outing short.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ohtani allowed four runs on six hits with six strikeouts while throwing 93 pitches over six innings in the Dodgers' Game 4 loss. Two of the four runs he was charged with were allowed by Dodgers relievers after he departed.</p><p>Roberts added that every one of his pitchers except for Game 6 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a> will be available Saturday, according to <a href="https://x.com/dylanohernandez/status/1984468060183339414">Dylan Hernández of the Los Angeles Times</a>. This includes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4257" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4257">Tyler Glasnow</a>, who had been the presumptive Game 7 starter until coming in to save Friday's 3-1 win. Glasnow needed only three pitches to record the save, meaning he should still be fresh to throw multiple innings if needed.</p><p>Ohtani, however, presents a special case in terms of how the Dodgers can use him as a pitcher. The "Ohtani Rule" only applies to the starting pitcher, meaning that if the two-way star were to pitch in relief Los Angeles would forfeit the DH, and have to use him in the outfield to keep his bat in the game. By starting Ohtani even as an opener, he'd be able to continue hitting late in the game.</p><p>The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will turn to future Hall of Famer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> in Game 7. This will be the 41-year-old's second time starting the final game of a World Series, after he threw five innings in the Washington Nationals' 2019 Game 7 win over the Houston Astros.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Scherzer will be the 4th pitcher to start multiple World Series winner-take-all Game 7s, joining:<br><br>Bob Gibson (3)<br>Lew Burdette <br>Don Larsen</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1984465945146827049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Blue Jays manager John Schneider <a href="https://x.com/Brandon_N_Wile/status/1984462471613096118">said</a> that every one of his arms will be available, potentially including Game 6 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3634">Kevin Gausman</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a>, who set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts in Game 5, confirmed he'll be in the bullpen and ready to pitch, per <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1984470421245165789">ESPN's Jesse Rogers</a>.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Roberts not committing to Game 7 starter, Ohtani 'a possibility'

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>

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The legend of Trey Yesavage continued to grow in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday.  Yesava...

<p>The legend of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a> continued to grow in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday.</p><p>Yesavage struck out a World Series rookie-record 12 Los Angeles Dodgers batters in Game 5, breaking the old mark set by Dodgers great Don Newcombe in Game 1 of the 1949 Fall Classic. He and Newcombe are the only rookie pitchers to log double-digit strikeouts in a World Series game.</p><p>The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander set the new record with a seventh-inning strikeout of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1412" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1412">Freddie Freeman</a> on a splitter.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HISTORY: Trey Yesavage's 12th strikeout of the night breaks the rookie record for Ks in a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> game! <a href="https://t.co/OxpgPT0Ug9">pic.twitter.com/OxpgPT0Ug9</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1983723441414139938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"When that splitter is on, he's going to make anyone in the game look stupid," Blue Jays veteran <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> said, according to <a href="https://torontosun.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays/rookie-trey-yesavage-makes-history-as-blue-jays-move-within-win-of-world-series-title">Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun</a>.</p><p>Yesavage is the 12th pitcher to record 12-plus strikeouts in a World Series game, and the first since the Yankees' Orlando Hernández in 2000, per <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/TbP57">Stathead</a>. He's one of just five pitchers to do it in the last 50 years. His 12 Ks without a walk also set a new single-game World Series mark, surpassing Newcombe in '49 and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/945" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/945">Clayton Kershaw</a> in Game 1 of the 2017 edition.</p><p><strong>10+ Ks, 0 BBs in a World Series game</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Year/Gm.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Ks/BBs</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2025 Gm. 5</td>
<td>Trey Yesavage</td>
<td>Blue Jays</td>
<td>12/0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017 Gm. 1</td>
<td>Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td>Dodgers</td>
<td>11/0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1949 Gm. 1</td>
<td>Don Newcombe</td>
<td>Dodgers</td>
<td>11/0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1903 Gm. 1</td>
<td>Deacon Phillippe</td>
<td>Pirates</td>
<td>10/0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The 22-year-old also established a new World Series record for pitchers aged 22 or under, breaking Smoky Joe Wood's record from Game 1 of the 1912 Fall Classic.</p><p>"He was pretty good. Historic stuff, when you talk about that stage. ... (His) slider and split were electric," manager John Schneider said after the Blue Jays' 6-1 win, according to <a href="https://x.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1983740698454286464">Sportsnet's Blake Murphy</a>. "Kinda blown away by what he did."</p><p>Game 5 marked Yesavage's second playoff start with double-digit strikeouts following his 11-K performance in Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. He's the first rookie with multiple 10-strikeout games in playoff history, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983712001898750411">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>Yesavage joined the legendary Sandy Koufax - who was in attendance at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday - as just the second pitcher to rack up 10-plus strikeouts in the first five innings of a World Series game, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983714221272789355">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pitchers with 10+ strikeouts through 5 innings in multiple postseason games:<br><br>Trey Yesavage<br>Gerrit Cole<br><br>Yesavage is the first to do so twice in the same postseason</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983715236994806239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Yesavage, who started his 2025 season in Single-A, now owns a 3.55 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over five postseason starts. His 39 strikeouts are a new single-postseason rookie record, eclipsing Michael Wacha's 34 in 2013.</p><p>Wednesday marked the eighth big-league start of Yesavage's career and his first road start of these playoffs. The 2024 first-round pick started his season in Single-A, and pitched at every minor-league level before getting called up to the majors in mid-September.</p><p>"It's a crazy world," Yesavage said, according to <a href="https://x.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1983743866936434875">Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith</a>. "Hollywood couldn't have made it this good."</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Trey Yesavage #39 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks to the dugout after pitching the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette is playing through a significant knee injury despite bein...

<p>Toronto Blue Jays infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> is playing through a significant knee injury despite being on the verge of free agency. But his offseason price tag is of no concern to him right now.</p><p>"I'll risk it all (to win a World Series)," Bichette told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6759351/2025/10/29/toronto-blue-jays-world-series-resilience/">Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a> about playing through his injury.</p><p>Bichette sprained his knee Sept. 6 during a home-plate collision at Yankee Stadium. He didn't play again until Game 1 of the World Series, missing the entire stretch run and the first two rounds of the postseason while rehabbing.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blue Jays kept rolling without their ailing star, holding off the New York Yankees to win the AL East before eliminating the Yankees in the ALDS and the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8766" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8766">Andrés Giménez</a> moved from second to shortstop in Bichette's absence.</p><p>Bichette shifted from shortstop to second - a position he last played as a minor-leaguer in 2019 - upon returning to the lineup in Game 1. He's performed capably in the World Series, going 4-for-11 with two walks during the first four games, but has clearly been moving gingerly on the bases and on defense. After <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a>'s injury, Bichette was in the lineup as DH in Games 4 and 5.</p><p>"I'm not really expecting to make huge progress while I'm playing," Bichette told Rosenthal. "I'm doing what I can."</p><p>Once the series ends, the reality of free agency will hit for both Bichette and the Blue Jays. Toronto is the only organization the 27-year-old has ever known, and although this Fall Classic could mark his last ride in Canada, he's not closing the door on a return.</p><p>"I've been here my entire career. Worked really hard to build to a winning culture (in Toronto)," Bichette told reporters, including <a href="https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bichette-blue-jays-free-agency-thoughts">Daily Hive's Adam Laskaris</a>, before the World Series. "Not alone, of course ... but my goal is to stay here my entire career.</p><p>"But right now, I don't have time to think about that."</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits an RBI single in the seventh inning during Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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The Minnesota Twins hired Derek Shelton as their manager, the team announced Thursday.  Shelton r...

<p>The Minnesota Twins hired Derek Shelton as their manager, the team announced Thursday.</p><p>Shelton replaces Rocco Baldelli, who was the Twins' skipper for seven seasons until they dismissed him after their 92-loss 2025 campaign.</p><p>The 55-year-old Shelton spent most of the last six years managing the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he amassed a 306-440 record before being fired this past May. Shelton's Pirates teams never finished higher than fourth place and twice lost 100 games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Before getting the Pirates job, Shelton spent two years in Minnesota's dugout as bench coach under then-manager Paul Molitor.</p><p>Managerial stability has become commonplace in Minnesota; Shelton will become the fifth person to manage the Twins over the last 39 years. However, the team has won just one playoff series and three playoff games since 2003 and last won a World Series in 1991.</p><p>The Twins won the AL Central in 2023 but missed the playoffs after a late-season collapse in '24. This past summer, they embarked on a deadline-day fire sale en route to their first 90-loss season since 2016.</p>

DETROIT, MI - MAY 29: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during game one of the doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 29, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Pirates 8-0.

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Game 4 might not be the last time we see Shohei Ohtani on the mound in the World Series.  After t...

<p>Game 4 might not be the last time we see <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> on the mound in the World Series.</p><p>After taking the loss in his first career World Series start, he said he'd be available out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the final games of the series.</p><p>"It depends on how long the series goes, but if there's a possibility I'll be needed in any of the games, I want to be ready," Ohtani said in Japanese, according to <a href="https://x.com/SonjaMChen/status/1983644025849835860">Sonja Chen and Ayako Oikawa of MLB.com</a>. "There could be games like (Game 3) that go into extra innings and don't get decided for a while, so I want to stay prepared to pitch at any time."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Manager Dave Roberts said prior to Game 5 that he hadn't yet talked to Ohtani about pitching in Toronto, but he would consider where the two-way superstar might fit into their pitching plans if needed.</p><p>"When you're talking about Game 6 (or) potential Game 7 of the World Series, (it's) all hands on deck, so we'll see where that goes. ... If he can go, if it makes sense, certainly he would be an option," Roberts told reporters Wednesday, according to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5PZO31J7ss">Dodger Blue</a>.</p><p>Ohtani has never come out of the bullpen in the majors. He did make several relief appearances while with Japan's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and famously saved the 2023 World Baseball Classic final for his country.</p><p>If he were to pitch in relief, it would create some unusual lineup issues for Roberts. The so-called "Ohtani Rule" allows for Ohtani to remain in the game as DH in games that he starts on the mound. However, if he came in to pitch as a reliever, the Dodgers would forfeit the DH, meaning they'd have to either move him to the outfield to keep his bat in the game after he was done pitching or take him out altogether.</p><p>Ohtani <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3347524" href="https://thescore.com/news/3347524">said</a> in September that he'd be willing to play the outfield in the playoffs if necessary. He's made seven big-league appearances in the outfield, all of them in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels before the "Ohtani Rule" was created.</p><p>Ohtani allowed four runs on six hits while striking out six and walking one in six-plus innings pitched during the Dodgers' Game 4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed a two-run homer to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> in the third and departed after putting two runners on base to start the seventh.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior approached Shohei Ohtani in the 6th inning and asked him how much he had left, according to manager Dave Roberts.<br><br>“He said he had three more innings,” Roberts said.</p>— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) <a href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/1983377460189446596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>At the plate, the three-time MVP followed up his historic Game 3 performance by going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk.</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Ohtani willing to pitch out of bullpen in World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays don't have George Springer in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World S...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays don't have <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a> in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World Series after the star slugger sustained an injury in Game 3.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> will take Springer's spot as DH and hit third, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4693" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4693">Isiah Kiner-Falefa</a> slots in at second base. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5788" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5788">Nathan Lukes</a> will bat in Springer's customary leadoff spot, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> hits second. The Blue Jays also moved <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14202" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14202">Addison Barger</a> from seventh into the cleanup slot.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game Four. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WANTITALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WANTITALL</a> <a href="https://t.co/GBu20RzfaW">pic.twitter.com/GBu20RzfaW</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1983293995016208657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Springer underwent an MRI on Monday night after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3380405" href="https://thescore.com/news/3380405">injuring</a> his side in the seventh inning.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blue Jays' Game 4 lineup release was delayed while the team awaited word on Springer's availability. About an hour before the lineup was announced, manager John Schneider described the former World Series MVP's status as "hour-to-hour, day-to-day," according to <a href="https://x.com/ShiDavidi/status/1983277364194001204">Sportsnet's Shi Davidi</a>. It's unclear if Springer will be available to pinch hit.</p><p>Springer's been banged up during the Blue Jays' World Series run. The 36-year-old had to leave Game 5 of the ALCS early after taking a pitch off his kneecap, although he returned to the lineup two days later. He also missed time in August with a concussion.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Whenever the season’s over you guys will be surprised to hear how much he’s grinded physically,” John Schneider said about George Springer.</p>— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1983287046727970972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Springer is hitting .246/.323/.561 with four homers and nine RBIs this postseason, but he's just 3-for-11 during the World Series.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays strikes out during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Blue Jays' Springer not starting Game 4, Bichette to DH

The Toronto Blue Jays lost a baserunner in brutal fashion early in Game 3 of the World Series.  I...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays lost a baserunner in brutal fashion early in Game 3 of the World Series.</p><p>In the top of the second, Daulton Varsho took what just about everyone in Dodger Stadium thought was ball four - except for home plate umpire Mark Wegner, who called it a strike. Amid the confusion, Bo Bichette was busy jogging to second base and got caught leaning off first, for a 2-1-3 pickoff.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bo Bichette is picked off for the first out of the 2nd inning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/TwQxmgjMJp">pic.twitter.com/TwQxmgjMJp</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1982968999895003361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Blue Jays manager John Schneider told <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1982974889448579397">Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal</a> that the mix-up happened because of a slow strike call that Varsho didn't hear.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I (asked Wegner) just to be a little bit quicker with his call," Schneider said. ... "Very delayed call, pretty deliberate. Just didn't say anything, so Varsh assumed it was a ball and Bo assumed. I just asked him, 'In this environment, can you be a little bit quicker, or give a little bit more clarity, so everyone knows what's going on?'"</p><p>Varsho ended up working a walk later in the at-bat. However, the Blue Jays were unable to score in the inning.</p>

Los Angeles, CA, October, 27, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) picks of Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette during the second inning of Game three of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Watch: Bichette picked off 1B after umpire blows call

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walked back his remarks suggesting that Canadian officia...

<p>Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walked back his remarks suggesting that Canadian officials played a role in the team's delayed flight home from Toronto.</p><p>"Canada is not trying to sabotage the Dodgers. I know that," Roberts told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6752848/2025/10/26/dodgers-canada-travel-delays/">Andy McCullough of The Athletic</a>. "It was just a long day."</p><p>Roberts' flight home - one of four carrying members of the Dodgers' traveling party during the World Series - arrived in Los Angeles late Sunday following delays on the ground at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. As a result, he was late for his team's off-day workout at Dodger Stadium.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"There was some delays. I don't know if there was intent or not," Roberts <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3379397" href="https://thescore.com/news/3379397">said</a> Sunday when asked about his travel experience. "But, man, the international stuff was a bear. But we made it. We made it."</p><p>On Monday, he clarified to McCullough that he shouldn't have framed his earlier comments in such a way.</p><p>"I know the prime minister is not worried about calling airline security or the FAA to make sure that they delay us," Roberts said. "I know that, obviously. I think the prime minister has bigger fish to fry."</p><p>"I shouldn't have said 'intent,'" the 53-year-old <a href="http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=213948">added</a> during his pregame media conference. "I love Canada. I made the mistake of saying 'intent.' It was a long day, a long trip. I'm very grateful to be in the World Series. ... It was my apologies sincerely."</p><p>The exact cause of Roberts' flight delay remains unknown. However, any customs-related issues would have likely been the result of U.S. border patrol, which inspects all passengers returning to the United States.</p><p>Pearson Airport includes a preclearence facility that allows travelers to pass through U.S. customs in Canada before boarding their flights south, although it's unknown if the Dodgers were processed in Toronto or Los Angeles. Canadian customs officers inspect all teams - including the hometown Toronto Blue Jays - upon landing in Toronto.</p><p>The Dodgers will host Games 3, 4, and 5 of the World Series in Los Angeles from Monday-Wednesday. Should a Game 6 be required, the teams will head back through customs to play at Rogers Centre on Friday.</p>

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 13: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during warm ups prior to Game One of the National League Championship Series presented by Booking.com between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Roberts walks back 'intent' remark about delayed flight: 'I love Canada'

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

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia was left off the team's World Series roster due to a pers...

<p>Los Angeles Dodgers reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11916" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11916">Alex Vesia</a> was left off the team's World Series roster due to a personal matter.</p><p>"It's with a heavy heart that we share that Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife, Kayla, navigate a deeply personal family matter," the Dodgers said in a statement Thursday. "The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family, and we will provide an update at a later date."</p><p>Prior to Friday's Game 1, manager Dave Roberts said that Vesia "most likely" won't pitch in the series, according to <a href="https://x.com/billplunkettocr/status/1981838713635426754">Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register</a>. The Dodgers also didn't place the 29-year-old on the bereavement or family medical emergency list.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Friedman said <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> chose to leave Alex Vesia off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> roster to not have any pressure on Vesia to return and signal support for a situation “bigger than baseball.”</p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/1981842799755739211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Vesia posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over seven postseason appearances. He hasn't allowed a run since Game 1 of the wild-card series while emerging as a key late-inning weapon as part of a bridge to closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19077">Roki Sasaki</a>.</p><p>The Dodgers included four left-handed relievers - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16215" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16215">Jack Dreyer</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5308" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5308">Anthony Banda</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18585" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18585">Justin Wrobleski</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/945" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/945">Clayton Kershaw</a> - on their World Series roster. Dreyer, who enjoyed a solid rookie season out of the bullpen but has made just two postseason appearances, could see an increased role in the late innings against the Toronto Blue Jays' left-handed bats.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s your 26-man roster for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a>: <a href="https://t.co/xpHvB2ilUx">pic.twitter.com/xpHvB2ilUx</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1981734190149255614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Former All-Star left-hander Tanner Scott was left off the World Series roster for medical reasons, Roberts said, per <a href="https://x.com/FabianArdaya/status/1981839558359892119">The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya</a>. Scott was removed from the Dodgers' NLDS roster mid-series after undergoing emergency surgery.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks back to the dugout during Game Three of the National League Championship Series presented by loanDepot between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, October 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Dodgers' Vesia away for personal reasons, 'most likely' out for WS

Bo Bichette is back in the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup batting cleanup for Game 1 of the World Seri...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> is back in the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup batting cleanup for Game 1 of the World Series, but the star infielder will be in unfamiliar territory when he takes the field Friday.</p><p>For the first time ever as a major leaguer, Bichette will play second base, keeping Andrés Giménez at shortstop on defense.</p><p>Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers will mark Bichette's first action since Sept. 6, when he suffered a sprained knee at Yankee Stadium. The injury forced him to miss most of the stretch run as well as the first two rounds of the playoffs.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">OFFICIAL: Presenting our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> roster! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WANTITALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WANTITALL</a> <a href="https://t.co/NVgo0tObjm">pic.twitter.com/NVgo0tObjm</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1981730340004671792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"To be honest, I brought it up," Bichette said Friday, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/bo-bichette-in-blue-jays-lineup-at-second-base-for-2025-world-series-game-1">Keegan Matheson of MLB.com</a>. "It was something I felt I could get ready for quicker than another position. I just want to be ready to help the team in any way that is afforded to me. So, that felt like an opportunity for me, and obviously they were on board with it."</p><p>The possibility of a position change came up in recent days. Bichette, who's never played anywhere but shortstop in the majors, took grounders at short and second base Wednesday. He has just 30 minor-league games of experience at the keystone and last played the position in 2019.</p><p>"For him to say that and take a step back while he's watching us play, just say 'Hey, I'm willing to do whatever it takes,' even though he's been the shortstop here for six years - that says a lot about him," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, according to <a href="https://x.com/ArdenZwelling/status/1981836873052954636">Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet</a>. </p><p>Bichette playing second moves <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4693" href="/mlb/players/4693">Isiah Kiner-Falefa</a> to a backup role after he filled in during the opening two rounds of action. That keeps <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a> in his DH role and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5788" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5788">Nathan Lukes</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14134" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14134">Davis Schneider</a> platooning in left field.</p><p>Should Bichette move to DH at any time this series, it would force Springer to play the outfield, something the former World Series MVP hasn't done since late September. The Jays' skipper said that Springer is "very" capable of playing defense despite coming off his own knee issue sustained from a hit-by-pitch during the ALCS. Lukes, Schneider, or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14202" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14202">Addison Barger</a> could lose at-bats in that scenario.</p><p>Bichette, 27, hit .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs over 139 games during the regular season. At the time of his injury, the two-time All-Star led the majors in hits (181) and doubles (44).</p><p>Infielder Ty France was also added to the roster, with Joey Loperfido and Yariel Rodríguez coming off.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 20: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays plays the field during their MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Rogers Centre on July 20, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

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Blue Jays' Bichette to play 2B in return to lineup

It may not have been the World Series matchup that many predicted, but the upcoming battle betwee...

<p>It may not have been the World Series matchup that many predicted, but the upcoming battle between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers promises to be memorable. There are plenty of connections between the two teams, making this a far more juicy showdown than you may realize.</p><p>Let's look at a few of the biggest storylines to watch in this year's Fall Classic.</p><h3>Shohei and Roki: The ones who got away</h3><p>By now, the Blue Jays' all-in pursuit of Shohei Ohtani during the 2023-24 offseason is well documented. The secret visit to the team's complex in Florida. The coy press conferences during the winter meetings. The private jet tracked online by millions who thought the plane was carrying the world's most outstanding player north of the border ... only for it to end up being the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0nILOROcX7/?hl=en">Shark Tank guy</a>. Barely 24 hours later, Ohtani signed his $700-million deal with the Dodgers and promptly led them to a World Series title.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806622/cropped_GettyImages-2228393646.jpg?ts=1761090227" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806622/w220xh124_GettyImages-2228393646.jpg?ts=1761090227 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806622/w320xh180_GettyImages-2228393646.jpg?ts=1761090227 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806622/w640xh360_GettyImages-2228393646.jpg?ts=1761090227 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806622/w768xh432_GettyImages-2228393646.jpg?ts=1761090227 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806622/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2228393646.jpg?ts=1761090227 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>But Ohtani's not the only Dodgers star who spurned the Blue Jays. Toronto was a finalist to sign Roki Sasaki this past winter, and the club even went as far as to take on Myles Straw's contract to give extra international bonus money to Sasaki. The same day that the Blue Jays acquired Straw, Sasaki announced he was signing with the Dodgers.</p><p>It's funny how all of this worked out for everyone. Ohtani, of course, is making history in L.A., while Sasaki shook off an injury-plagued regular season to become the Dodgers' most important bullpen weapon and a breakout playoff star. Left initially reeling, the Blue Jays sank to last place in 2024 before this year's remarkable turnaround. And they couldn't have done it without Straw, a valuable contributor to the AL champions as a fourth outfielder. He even produced more fWAR (1.8) than Sasaki in the regular season.</p><p>The Blue Jays likely have a ton of respect for Ohtani and Sasaki despite getting left at the altar. Still, you can bet that they're relishing the chance to get the last laugh by beating them when it matters most. Wouldn't it be something if this World Series came down to Sasaki versus Straw, or Ohtani versus Vladimir Guerrero Jr., with two out in the ninth inning of Game 7? It feels like the baseball gods want to have fun here.</p><h3>Bichette's impact</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806655/cropped_GettyImages-2241784016.jpg?ts=1761100439" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806655/w220xh124_GettyImages-2241784016.jpg?ts=1761100439 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806655/w320xh180_GettyImages-2241784016.jpg?ts=1761100439 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806655/w640xh360_GettyImages-2241784016.jpg?ts=1761100439 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806655/w768xh432_GettyImages-2241784016.jpg?ts=1761100439 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806655/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2241784016.jpg?ts=1761100439 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Chisholm / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Bo Bichette hasn't played since spraining his knee in early September, but the Blue Jays' All-Star shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3374304" href="https://thescore.com/news/3374304">said</a> Monday that he'll "be ready" for Game 1. How Toronto will use him is still up in the air, as even manager John Schneider isn't quite sure yet.</p><p>"We'll see whether it's on the field, DHing, whatever it may be," Schneider told <a href="https://x.com/FAN590/status/1980742136229245357">Sportsnet 590's Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker</a> on Tuesday. "He's made some significant progress in terms of how he feels about his swing, and how he feels running."</p><p>Obviously, getting Bichette's bat back would be a massive development for the Blue Jays. However, he's a defensive downgrade on the best of days, which would hurt a Toronto team that prides itself on playing fundamentally sound defense. If Bichette can only DH, it might force George Springer to play the outfield, even though the Blue Jays have exclusively used him as a designated hitter through these playoffs. Springer also posted inferior offensive splits as an outfielder this year. Additionally, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider could lose at-bats in this scenario, which could weaken the overall depth of Toronto's lineup.</p><p>A third plan is for Bichette only to hit and do nothing else, allowing the Jays to roster him for a Kirk Gibson-esque moment as a pinch hitter. While it might ease Schneider's mind regarding roster machinations, it would limit Bichette's overall impact to potentially just seven at-bats. Any way you slice it, if he's active, you can bet he will have played a role in this series' outcome.</p><h3>Teoscar's revenge</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806626/cropped_GettyImages-2239271655.jpg?ts=1761090467" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806626/w220xh124_GettyImages-2239271655.jpg?ts=1761090467 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806626/w320xh180_GettyImages-2239271655.jpg?ts=1761090467 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806626/w640xh360_GettyImages-2239271655.jpg?ts=1761090467 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806626/w768xh432_GettyImages-2239271655.jpg?ts=1761090467 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806626/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2239271655.jpg?ts=1761090467 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Hunter Martin / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Teoscar Hernández became a fan favorite in Toronto over six seasons with the Blue Jays, but the club dealt him following its 2022 wild-card series collapse. After one lost campaign with the Seattle Mariners, Hernández revitalized his career with L.A. in 2024, and he's now an important bat in the Dodgers' deep lineup.</p><p>Blue Jays fans have received Hernández warmly during his past homecomings. He remains a close friend of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and has repeatedly expressed love for Toronto. But three years after getting cast aside, Hernández is about to return to Rogers Centre with the championship ring that his former teammates still don't have.</p><p>Just as the Blue Jays want to stick it to Sasaki and Ohtani, you can bet that Hernández is ready to get revenge. Don't be surprised if he uses this as fuel to have a massive series and perhaps turn himself into an enemy of Canada.</p><h3>Dodgers fans vs. Springer</h3><p>George Springer began crafting his October legend eight years ago against the Dodgers. A member of the Houston Astros back then, Springer was named 2017 World Series MVP after hitting .379/.471/1.000 during their seven-game series win. He became the third player to hit five homers in a single World Series and set a Fall Classic record with 29 total bases.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">George Springer is familiar with facing the Dodgers in the World Series. In 2017, he hit five home runs on his way to winning the World Series MVP <a href="https://t.co/s6JVwkDBzJ">pic.twitter.com/s6JVwkDBzJ</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1980732879098507542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Of course, the view of this performance changed two years later when the Astros' sign-stealing scandal came to light. And while most of the 2017 Dodgers are gone - Clayton Kershaw and Enrique Hernández are the only players who are still with L.A. from that team - the fans certainly haven't forgotten. It's a foregone conclusion that Springer will receive the rudest of welcomes once the series shifts west.</p><p>Will the jeers affect Springer during the games at Dodger Stadium? He's in the midst of another <a href="https://www.x.com/MLB/status/1980461867098337447">epic playoff run</a>, albeit with dramatic home-road splits that'll no doubt draw scrutiny from skeptics (1.053 at Rogers Centre, .802 on the road). However, Springer could become the most reviled of all the 2017 Astros in Southern California if he manages to silence Chavez Ravine in the World Series again.</p><h3>Vlad Jr.'s moment</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806506/cropped_GettyImages-2242290533.jpg?ts=1761016166" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806506/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242290533.jpg?ts=1761016166 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806506/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242290533.jpg?ts=1761016166 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806506/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242290533.jpg?ts=1761016166 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806506/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242290533.jpg?ts=1761016166 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806506/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242290533.jpg?ts=1761016166 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cole Burston / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Guerrero wasn't lying when he said he was "born ready." The Blue Jays' $500-million man has taken over the playoffs, first almost single-handedly eliminating the New York Yankees and then crushing the Mariners en route to ALCS MVP honors.</p><p>At just 26 years old, Guerrero has a chance to one-up his Hall of Fame dad and win a World Series. Vladimir Guerrero Sr. never hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy with his two primary franchises, the Expos and Angels. But he reached the Fall Classic late in his career with the Rangers, batting 1-for-14 in their series loss during his second-last season.</p><p>Regardless of what happens from here, this October run has cemented Guerrero as a Canadian baseball icon. Adding a ring would put him squarely into the inner circle of modern baseball superstars and maybe even start to push him past his father. At this point, you'd be crazy to bet against Junior.</p><h3>Power vs. grit</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806627/cropped_GettyImages-2241108754.jpg?ts=1761090671" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806627/w220xh124_GettyImages-2241108754.jpg?ts=1761090671 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806627/w320xh180_GettyImages-2241108754.jpg?ts=1761090671 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806627/w640xh360_GettyImages-2241108754.jpg?ts=1761090671 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806627/w768xh432_GettyImages-2241108754.jpg?ts=1761090671 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806627/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2241108754.jpg?ts=1761090671 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Los Angeles' pitching staff is easily the most dominant in baseball when it's firing on all cylinders. Specializing in blowing away opponents, the Dodgers posted an MLB-best 9.4 K/9 rate during the regular season. But now they face a plucky Blue Jays lineup that had the majors' lowest strikeout percentage (17.8%), led by Guerrero, who's been K'd just three times this postseason.</p><p>Blue Jays hitters excel at working the count, putting the ball in play, and extending at-bats. Dodgers pitchers enjoy dispatching their rivals as quickly as possible. Opponents hit .150 and struck out 1,505 times against L.A. this year when faced with a two-strike count. Conversely, Toronto's batters had the second-best OPS (.562) and second-fewest Ks (1,099) while hitting with two strikes. The Blue Jays also recorded the majors' highest average (.292) with runners in scoring position and the second-best OPS with RISP - behind only the Dodgers.</p><p>Toronto's lineup may lack in overall star power compared to Los Angeles', but it makes up for that with balance, depth, and grit. The Blue Jays already wore down the Yankees' and Mariners' talented pitching staffs this postseason. It'll be fascinating to see these contrasting approaches face off in a seven-game series and watch both sides adjust to try to counter their opponents' strengths.</p>

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6 biggest Jays-Dodgers storylines ahead of World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers set their starting rotation for the first two games of the World Series. ...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers set their starting rotation for the first two games of the World Series.</p><p>Los Angeles will start left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5351" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5351">Blake Snell</a> in Game 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday at Rogers Centre, manager Dave Roberts announced, according to <a href="https://x.com/ByJackHarris/status/1980771699286241342">Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times</a>. All-Star righty <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a> will follow Snell in Game 2.</p><p>The Dodgers also trusted Snell and Yamamoto for Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. Snell dominated with eight innings of one-hit ball in the NLCS opener before Yamamoto recorded a complete-game three-hitter.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Snell, 32, is no stranger to the Blue Jays, having spent the first five years of his career with the AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays. The two-time Cy Young Award winner had a dominant playoff start against Toronto in the 2020 wild-card series.</p><p>A shoulder issue limited Snell to 11 regular-season starts in 2025 after joining the Dodgers on a five-year, $182-million deal last winter. But he's been exactly what they paid for in October, posting a 0.86 ERA and 0.52 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and just five walks over his three postseason starts. Snell enters the World Series sporting a lifetime 2.58 ERA with 89 strikeouts across 69 2/3 playoff innings.</p><p>Yamamoto's been just as dominant this postseason, sporting a 1.83 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 18 strikeouts, four walks, and only two homers allowed. The 27-year-old has given up two or fewer earned runs in five of his seven career playoff starts.</p><p>Game 2 will be Yamamoto's first career start against the Blue Jays.</p><p>The Dodgers haven't firmed up the remainder of their World Series rotation, although Roberts suggested the team will "probably" use the same starters in Games 3 and 4 as it did in the NLCS, per <a href="https://x.com/billplunkettocr/status/1980771838142943692">Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register</a>. That would line up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4257" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4257">Tyler Glasnow</a> to start Game 3 at Dodger Stadium, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> following in Game 4.</p><p>The Blue Jays have yet to name their starters for the opening two contests of the World Series. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3634">Kevin Gausman</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a>, respectively, started Games 1 and 2 in both the ALDS and ALCS. However, Gausman threw 19 pitches in relief during Toronto's Game 7 win over Seattle on Monday.</p>

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 13: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during Game One of the National League Championship Series presented by loanDepot between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Dodgers to start Snell in Game 1 vs. Jays, Yamamoto gets Game 2

Three nights after Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider's bullpen management was questioned, ...

<p>Three nights after Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider's bullpen management was questioned, it was Seattle Mariners skipper Dan Wilson's turn to face the music.</p><p>After Bryan Woo put two on to start the bottom of the seventh with Seattle holding a 3-1 lead in Game 7, Wilson called on right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12543" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12543">Eduard Bazardo</a> to face <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a>. The right-hander promptly gave up what turned out to be the series-clinching three-run homer for Toronto.</p><p>Wilson's choice of Bazardo over All-Star closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10823" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10823">Andrés Muñoz</a> in such a critical situation raised plenty of eyebrows. But he defended the choice by noting that Bazardo's been a go-to reliever in those spots all season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Bazardo has been the guy that's gotten us through those situation(s), those tight ones, especially in the pivot role, and that's where we were going at that point," Wilson said, according to <a href="https://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=213837">ASAP Sports</a>.</p><p>"(He's) been doing it all season long and has been so consistent at it and he's done such a good job all year. We felt really comfortable with him out there, the way he's been throwing the ball, especially in this series, and it was a good spot for him."</p><p>Bazardo emerged as a workhorse for the Mariners this postseason, and was used in several big situations during the team's playoff run. However, he allowed two homers over 5 2/3 innings in the ALCS.</p><p>Muñoz, by contrast, didn't allow a run in seven postseason appearances. He ended up pitching in Game 7 and tossed a scoreless eighth inning to keep it a one-run game.</p><p>Ultimately, Wilson stood firmly behind his choice, despite the fact that it sent Seattle home without a pennant for a 49th straight season.</p><p>"Yeah, I mean, you make your decisions, and sometimes you have to live and die with it," Wilson said. "I think, again, the way Bazardo has thrown the ball all season long, we were comfortable with where we were and it just, again, didn't go our way."</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 19: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners is interviewed before game six of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Wilson defends not using Muñoz in 7th: Bazardo's 'been the guy' for us

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the World Series, and it appears they'll have Bo Bichette in...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the World Series, and it appears they'll have <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> in uniform for Game 1.</p><p>"I'll be ready (to play Friday)," Bichette said after the Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS, according to <a href="https://x.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1980488498089193707">Keegan Matheson of MLB.com</a>. "I don't know how they'll use me. I'll be ready."</p><p>Bichette hasn't played since spraining his knee in a home-plate collision at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 6. Although there was some hope that clinching a bye through the wild-card round would allow him to return earlier, Bichette had to watch the Blue Jays win the pennant from the dugout.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Before Game 7, manager John Schneider told <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-bichette-making-significant-progress-berrios-done-for-season/">Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith</a> that Bichette's been making "significant progress" in his recovery. The 27-year-old has been taking batting practice and starting to do some running in an attempt to ramp up for the upcoming Fall Classic.</p><p>"I think the baserunning and the defense is something hopefully we can advance and we can check those boxes in the next few days," Schneider said pregame, per <a href="https://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=213836">ASAP Sports</a>. He's done some light stuff, but hasn't been like full go at short. And he's not back on the bases yet, but the running has picked up in the outfield, just in terms of the intensity and the build-up or the length of it, to be perfectly honest. So, yeah, we'll see how he goes over the next couple days."</p><p>Bichette enjoyed a stellar regular season, hitting .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers, 94 RBIs, and 44 doubles over 139 games. At the time of his injury, he was leading the majors in both hits (181) and doubles.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8766" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8766">Andrés Giménez</a>, Toronto's primary second baseman, moved over to cover shortstop for Bichette in September and has started all 11 playoff games at the position. Waiver pickup <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4693" href="/mlb/players/4693">Isiah Kiner-Falefa</a> added some much-needed infield depth down the stretch, and started four games at second during the ALCS.</p><p>If Bichette is able to play the field, Giménez could shift back to the keystone. But the Blue Jays could face a conundrum if he can't defend, as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a> has been their DH for the entire postseason and is currently playing through a knee ailment. Springer has played some outfield in 2025, but has hit far better as a designated hitter this year.</p><p>The Blue Jays will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at Rogers Centre.</p>

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays takes batting practice prior to Game Six of the American League Championship Series presented by Booking.com between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Sunday, October 19, 2025 in TorontoOntario, Canada.

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Superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named ALCS MVP following the Toronto Blue Jays' series victor...

<p>Superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> was named ALCS MVP following the Toronto Blue Jays' series victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is your ALCS MVP 👏 <a href="https://t.co/UNa0691GUA">pic.twitter.com/UNa0691GUA</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1980474127128698991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Guerrero hit a scorching .385/.484/.846 with three homers, six extra-base hits, six runs scored, and four walks during the seven-game series while striking out just twice in 31 plate appearances. He also played tremendous defense at first base, starting multiple game-changing plays with his glove.</p><p>The 26-year-old is the third Blue Jays player to win the award, following Roberto Alomar in 1992 and Dave Stewart in 1993. He's also just the second primary first baseman to claim ALCS MVP honors, joining Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox in 2005.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Toronto signed Guerrero to a 14-year, $500-million contract earlier this season.</p><p>The Blue Jays will face the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, which starts Friday at Rogers Centre.</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 20: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays lifts the William Harridge Trophy after winning game seven of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners at the Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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The Toronto Blue Jays forced the 2025 American League Championship Series to a winner-take-all Ga...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays forced the 2025 American League Championship Series to a winner-take-all Game 7 with a 6-2 win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 6 at Rogers Centre on Sunday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR GAME 7! <a href="https://t.co/y9UFF0Sccb">pic.twitter.com/y9UFF0Sccb</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1980106121026384360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14202" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14202">Addison Barger</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> led the way offensively for Toronto. Barger went 2-for-3 with a homer, a walk, and three RBIs, while Guerrero continued his torrid postseason by homering and scoring two runs. Guerrero's homer was the sixth of his postseason career, tying him with Joe Carter and José Bautista for the most in Blue Jays history.</p><p>Rookie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a> struck out seven on six hits while allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15396" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15396">Louis Varland</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4786" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4786">Jeff Hoffman</a> blanked the Mariners out of the bullpen to seal the victory.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Seattle played sloppy baseball for most of the evening. With a chance to win the franchise's first-ever AL pennant, the Mariners committed three errors, including two in the second inning that led to a pair of Blue Jays runs. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10827" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10827">Cal Raleigh</a>'s throwing error in the seventh allowed Toronto's sixth run to score.</p><p>The Mariners had their share of chances early in the game, but came up empty offensively. Seattle loaded the bases in both the third and fourth innings but hit into inning-ending double plays both times - the first time that's ever happened in playoff history, per <a href="https://x.com/SNstats/status/1980084807829799085">Sportsnet Stats</a>. Yesavage then induced a third ground-ball double play to end the fifth.</p><p>"I saw the ball was smoked over to Vladdy, so I knew I had to get my butt over there. I had no idea where the bag was," Yesavage said about covering first base on the <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1980076923243090336">third-inning double play</a>, according to <a href="https://x.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1980113318921846966">Keegan Matheson of MLB.com</a>. "I just thank the lord that he put me right on top of it."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Mariners are the first team with 3+ errors and 3+ GIDP in a playoff game since the Yankees in Game 2 of the 2009 ALCS (though they miraculously beat the Angels in that game in 13 innings).<br><br>h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/bmags94?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bmags94</a></p>— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DKramer_/status/1980098783334580414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Mariners starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12376" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12376">Logan Gilbert</a> was hit hard, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits over four-plus innings. He now owns a 7.71 ERA across seven-plus frames in this series.</p><p>First pitch of Game 7 goes Monday at 8:08 p.m. ET in Toronto. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9542" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9542">Shane Bieber</a> is expected to start for the Blue Jays against Mariners right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12378" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12378">George Kirby</a>. The winner will advance to face the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.</p><p>Mariners manager Dan Wilson said it would be "all hands on deck" in the bullpen behind Kirby, according to <a href="https://x.com/WolstatSun/status/1980108502505783739">Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15727" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15727">Bryce Miller</a>, who started Game 5 for Seattle, confirmed that he will be available in relief, according to <a href="https://x.com/RyanDivish/status/1980114162257957232">Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times</a>.</p><p>Blue Jays skipper John Schneider also said every pitcher "on our active roster" will be ready to pitch, per <a href="https://x.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1980118331010195771">Sportsnet's Blake Murphy</a>. This includes Hoffman, who threw 35 pitches Sunday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Gausman says you might see him pitch tomorrow, “might see Max Scherzer.” That’s the beauty of a Game 7. He can’t wait.</p>— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) <a href="https://twitter.com/WolstatSun/status/1980120067393122681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>This will be the first Game 7 in Mariners history, while the Blue Jays' only Game 7 came in the 1985 ALCS, a game they lost to Kansas City at Exhibition Stadium.</p><p>Regardless of result, Monday's game will see the end of a long drought for one of two starved franchises. The Mariners have never won a pennant, and are the only active team that's yet to play in a World Series. Toronto, meanwhile, is searching for its first AL title since 1993.</p>

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: Alejandro Kirk #30 and Jeff Hoffman #23 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate after winning Game Six of the American League Championship Series presented by loanDepot between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Sunday, October 19, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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