TORONTO — Baseball’s biggest stage returned to Canada with fireworks, history, and a heavy dose of defiance. In their first World Series appearance since 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers 11–4 in Game 1 on Friday night at a roaring Rogers Centre, turning what was billed as a heavyweight mismatch into a one-sided statement of intent.
The energy in the stadium was unmistakable. From the opening pitch, Toronto played with conviction, and by the sixth inning, the underdogs had ignited a frenzy that will live long in franchise lore. The Blue Jays erupted for nine runs in a single inning, the largest scoring burst in their postseason history.
Addison Barger delivered the exclamation point with a towering pinch-hit grand slam, the first ever in World Series history. The ball arced into the night sky and disappeared into the stands as the crowd of more than 44,000 erupted in disbelief. Players poured out of the dugout. Rogers Centre shook. The Dodgers’ bullpen unraveled.
Toronto’s resurgence, Los Angeles’ collapse
For the Dodgers, the loss was more than a bad night—it was an unraveling. Their bullpen, a source of quiet concern all postseason, imploded under pressure. Defensive miscues and command issues turned a tight contest into a rout.
Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s global superstar and the Dodgers’ centerpiece, drew boos from the Toronto crowd each time he stepped to the plate. It wasn’t animosity—it was the sound of a fan base reclaiming its moment on the global stage.
Turning points and tactical edges
Toronto’s offensive rhythm came from the bottom of the order, not its stars. Daulton Varsho, Danny Jansen, and Barger combined for seven RBIs, showcasing the lineup’s depth and adaptability. Manager John Schneider’s decision to pinch-hit Barger in a key moment was both daring and brilliant—exactly the kind of boldness that defines championship runs.
On the mound, the Blue Jays leaned on steady veteran command rather than velocity. Their pitching staff worked carefully around Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, forcing the Dodgers to chase. The plan worked.
What comes next
The series now shifts focus to Game 2, where Los Angeles faces an early moment of truth. The Dodgers’ rotation remains deep, but morale will be tested after such a lopsided opener. Toronto, meanwhile, has the upper hand—and the confidence to match it.
Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer is slated to start Game 3 when the series moves to Los Angeles, providing the Blue Jays with both experience and swagger. Shortstop Bo Bichette is expected to be available off the bench as he continues to recover from minor soreness, giving Toronto flexibility late in games.
A statement beyond numbers
Toronto’s victory carries weight beyond the box score. It marks the culmination of years of roster reconstruction and quiet ambition—a team that has matured from promise to presence. The Blue Jays didn’t just beat the Dodgers; they dismantled the aura of inevitability surrounding one of baseball’s richest and most powerful franchises.
The bottom line
The 2025 World Series has only just begun, but momentum now resides north of the border. The Blue Jays are not a Cinderella story—they are a legitimate contender rewriting October’s script.
For the Dodgers, Game 2 isn’t merely about tying the series; it’s about reasserting control before the noise from Toronto becomes too loud to silence.
The World Series is alive, electric, and suddenly unpredictable—just the way baseball should be.
