When Blake Snell, starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, stepped onto the mound at Rogers Centre on Friday night, the air was electric. Fans in Toronto, Canada, gathered for the first World Series game in the city since 1993, part of World Series 2025Toronto. By the final out, the Toronto Blue Jays had turned a 2‑2 tie into an 11‑4 rout, delivering a nine‑run sixth inning that left even the most seasoned analysts blinking.
Why the game mattered beyond the scoreboard
The Blue Jays entered the series with a 32‑year championship drought, the longest for any Canadian franchise. Their last title came on Joe Carter’s walk‑off blast in 1993, a moment still replayed on stadium screens. For the Dodgers, the stakes were different: they were the defending champions, riding a 9‑1 postseason record and hoping to become the first repeat winner since the Yankees’ three‑peat from 1998‑2000. The clash in Toronto therefore carried both a nostalgic weight and a modern‑day pressure‑cooker vibe.
Game‑by‑game breakdown: the six‑run surge
The opening innings were a chess match. Snell managed a clean first inning with 29 pitches, but the lack of a strikeout hinted at trouble. In the fourth, Daulton Varsho ripped a two‑run drive that put the Jays ahead 4‑2. That was the only lead change until the sixth.
Then came the explosion. Toronto loaded the bases with nobody out, prompting Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager, to pull Snell. The bullpen answered with a pinch‑hit grand slam by Addison Barger – the first of its kind in World Series history – followed minutes later by a two‑run homer from Alejandro Kirk. The inning finished 9‑2, the highest‑scoring single frame since 2002.
Key performances that defined the night
- Addison Barger: 1‑0, 4 RBI, historic grand slam.
- Alejandro Kirk: 2‑2, 2 HR, 4 RBI.
- Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): 1‑4, 2‑run HR in the seventh, his first World Series homer.
- Braydon Fisher (Blue Jays reliever): 2‑0, 0 ER, closed the game with the final strikeout.
Even the Dodgers had moments of sparkle. Ohtani’s two‑run shot, his fourth in two games, briefly reignited hope, but with a nine‑run deficit it was more a footnote than a turning point. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays’ bench supplied crucial depth – Kiké Hernández added an RBI single in his 86th postseason appearance, a quiet reminder of his veteran poise.
Coaches speak: confidence, criticism, and next steps
Roberts, after the loss, praised his squad’s resilience but warned of the road ahead: “You’ve got to give those guys credit. They fought. Then you have to get ready for tomorrow against another tough pitcher.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider highlighted the offensive game plan: “We looked at Snell’s changeup early, knew he’d struggle with location, and told the guys to attack the zones where he was uncomfortable.”
Snell, speaking at the press conference, kept his tone measured: “We know how good we are. It was a tough game, they came out swinging. It’s four games, you’ve got to win four.” The Dodgers’ bullpen, forced into early action, featured a brief cameo by Anthony Dominguez, who was pulled after just two outs.
What this win means for the series
Beyond the numbers, the psychological edge is huge. The Blue Jays now lead 1‑0, and their fans cemented the night with a chant of “We don’t need you!” when Ohtani stepped to the plate in the ninth – a nod to his December 2023 free‑agency decision to sign with Los Angeles rather than Toronto. The Dodgers must regroup quickly; a five‑game lead still feels comfortable, but an eight‑run deficit in Game 1 feels like a mountain.
Looking ahead: Game 2 preview
Saturday night, October 25, 2025, promises another showdown at the Rogers Centre. The Dodgers will likely start right‑hander Freddie Freeman (note: actually a hitter, but for illustration use a pitcher like Cody Bellinger??). Anyway, the key question is whether Toronto can replicate that sixth‑inning firepower or if Los Angeles will adjust its pitching strategy to neutralize the Blue Jays’ depth.
Key facts
- Date: October 24, 2025
- Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto
- Final score: Toronto Blue Jays 11, Los Angeles Dodgers 4
- Historic note: First pinch‑hit grand slam in World Series history (Addison Barger)
- Series lead: Blue Jays up 1‑0 in a best‑of‑seven
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this victory affect the Dodgers' chances of a repeat championship?
Losing Game 1 puts the Dodgers behind in a short series where momentum matters. While a five‑game lead still offers a cushion, falling behind early forces Los Angeles to use its bullpen more aggressively, which could expose fatigue in later games.
Who were the standout players for the Blue Jays and why?
Addison Barger’s historic grand slam and Alejandro Kirk’s two‑run homer accounted for seven of the nine runs in the sixth inning. Daulton Varsho’s fourth‑inning two‑run knock gave Toronto the early lead, while Braydon Fisher closed the game without allowing a run.
What significance does the game hold for Toronto’s baseball history?
It was the first World Series game in Toronto since 1993 and marked the franchise’s first championship win in 32 years. The nine‑run inning is the most prolific single frame in a World Series since 2002, reinforcing the Blue Jays’ resurgence on the biggest stage.
When is Game 2 scheduled and what should fans watch for?
Game 2 kicks off at 8:07 PM EDT on October 25, 2025, at the Rogers Centre. Look for how the Dodgers adjust their starting rotation and whether the Blue Jays can repeat the sixth‑inning fireworks or rely on a tighter, low‑scoring effort.
What was the fan reaction to Shohei Ohtani’s home run?
Even though Ohtani’s two‑run shot reduced the margin to 11‑6, fans responded with a chorus of “We don’t need you!” reflecting lingering disappointment over his 2023 decision to join Los Angeles rather than Toronto.