The 2025 World Series has been a rollercoaster of drama, endurance, and breakout performances. After splitting the first four games, the Toronto Blue Jays seized control in Game 5, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 and moving within one win of their first championship since 1993.
The game opened with fireworks. In the top of the first inning, Toronto’s Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched back-to-back home runs off Dodgers starter Blake Snell before he could record an out. The early 2–0 lead electrified the Jays’ dugout and set the tone for the night.
Trey Yesavage’s Record-Breaking Night
If Game 3’s 18-inning marathon was a test of stamina, Game 5 was a showcase of dominance. Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage, who had labored through four innings in Game 1, returned to the mound with a vengeance. Over seven innings, he allowed just one run on three hits, struck out 12, and walked none. His 12 strikeouts set a new record for a rookie in a World Series game.
Yesavage’s only blemish came in the third inning when Enrique “Kiké” Hernández homered to cut the lead to 2–1. But the rookie remained unfazed, retiring the next nine batters and keeping the Dodgers’ offense in check. The top four hitters in L.A.’s lineup—Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman—combined for just one hit and eight strikeouts in 15 plate appearances.
Toronto’s Balanced Attack
While Yesavage dazzled on the mound, Toronto’s lineup continued to apply pressure. In the fourth inning, Ernie Clement’s sacrifice fly scored Daulton Varsho, extending the lead to 3–1. The Jays added two more runs in the seventh, thanks to clutch hits from Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and capped the scoring in the eighth with an RBI single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Toronto’s offense was efficient and relentless. They tallied nine hits, drew walks, and executed small-ball tactics to keep the Dodgers’ defense on edge. Guerrero Jr. finished the night with two hits and two RBIs, while Bichette and Schneider each added key contributions.
Dodgers’ Struggles Continue
For the Dodgers, Game 5 was a continuation of offensive woes. After scoring just three runs over the previous 20 innings, L.A. managed only one run in Game 5. Their bullpen, already taxed from the 18-inning Game 3, couldn’t contain Toronto’s momentum. Snell exited after 6.2 innings, having allowed five runs—two of which scored after reliever Edgardo Henriquez entered the game.
Manager Dave Roberts shuffled the lineup, moving Will Smith to the No. 2 spot and dropping Mookie Betts to third. But the changes didn’t spark the offense. Betts, hitting just .147 in the postseason, went hitless again, and Shohei Ohtani grounded out in a key eighth-inning opportunity.
A Series of Highs and Historic Moments
This World Series has already delivered unforgettable moments. Game 3’s 18-inning epic saw Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off homer, Shohei Ohtani reach base nine times—a postseason record—and both teams combine for 130 at-bats. The Dodgers used 10 pitchers, including retiring legend Clayton Kershaw, who recorded a clutch out in the 12th inning.
Toronto’s resilience after that marathon loss was remarkable. They bounced back in Game 4, defeating Ohtani on the mound and tying the series. Now, after Game 5’s commanding win, they return to Rogers Centre with a 3–2 lead and two chances to clinch the title on home turf.
What’s Next?
Game 6 is set for Friday night in Toronto. The Blue Jays will likely turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched a complete game in the ALCS, while the Dodgers face the daunting task of winning back-to-back road games to force a Game 7 and defend their title.
For Toronto fans, the dream is within reach. The team’s blend of young talent, veteran leadership, and clutch pitching has brought them to the brink of history. If Game 5 was any indication, the Blue Jays are ready to finish the job.
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