By SportBuzzHub • October 28, 2025
Game 3, 2025 World Series — Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays
An epic unfolds: 18 innings, 6 hours 39 minutes, one unforgettable finish
In a night that will echo through postseason history, the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays 6–5 in an unforgettable Game 3 of the 2025 World Series, played at Dodger Stadium. The contest lasted 18 innings and 6 hours 39 minutes, tying the longest game in Fall Classic history by innings and carving its own place among the greatest postseason showdowns.
Record‑setting milestones
18 innings
With 18 innings played, Game 3 tied the record for most innings in a World Series game, previously set by Game 3 of the 2018 Series (also at Dodger Stadium).
Time elapsed
Though not yet the longest by duration, this game still stood at 6 h 39 m and challenged the limits of endurance for players and fans alike.
Game‑changing heroics
- Freddie Freeman delivered the winning blow—a walk‑off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning—making him the first player in MLB history to record multiple World Series walk‑off homers.
- Shohei Ohtani produced one of the most dominant postseason individual performances ever: he reached base nine times (via two home runs, two doubles, and five walks) in the same game — a new postseason record.
Bullpen exhaustion
The Blue Jays deployed nine pitchers in the game, while the Dodgers used ten — demonstrating how the contest transformed into an endurance test of pitching depth and strategic management.
Turning‑points and key moments
Early momentum swings:
Toronto struck with a three‑run homer in the 4th inning, seizing the early lead and forcing Los Angeles to mount a comeback.
The Ohtani spectacle:
By the time the 9th inning arrived, Ohtani had already recorded multiple hits and reached base repeatedly. Facing him in extra innings, the Blue Jays chose to walk him repeatedly—even with the bases empty—underscoring the respect his bat commanded.
Mid‑game grinding:
Innings stretched, bullpen arms tired, and strategic moves piled up. Fans witnessed late‑night baseball unfolding into the early morning hours, a rarity even in October.
The finale:
In the bottom of the 18th, Freeman stepped into the batter’s box and launched a homer to finish the marathon and give the Dodgers a 2‑1 lead in the series.
Historical context
- Before 2018, the longest World Series games in terms of innings had reached 14. Those included contests in 1916, 2005, and 2015.
- The 2018 Game 3 alone lasted 7 h 20 m and remains the longest by time. Both that game and this 2025 game share the same location, same inning length, and walk‑off home run finish.
- In terms of sheer duration and length, MLB and divisional series games have exceeded these — but within the Fall Classic, these are benchmarks that stand out.
What it means — Implications & Takeaways
For the Dodgers
- Gaining the 2–1 edge in the series via sheer will and endurance strengthens their psychological edge.
- Freeman further cements his legend; Ohtani underlined his two‑way brilliance once again.
- The usage of ten pitchers signals both depth and vulnerability — games like this expose bullpen limits and stamina.
For the Blue Jays
- A painful loss, but no shame: stretching a powerhouse like the Dodgers into 18 innings is a reminder of their competitiveness.
- The bullpen was taxed heavily; long contests may have lingering effects on pitching availability in subsequent games.
For MLB, fans, and the postseason narrative
- A reminder that the World Series is unpredictable. Despite analytics and pitching matchups, baseball still has room for endurance epics and human dramas.
- This game will be replayed, recounted, and analyzed for years — not only for the length but for the quality of the performance (Ohtani’s nine‑times‑on‑base, Freeman’s walk‑off).
- Planning for fans, broadcasters, and stadiums will increasingly have to account for the possibility of late‑night games stretching into early morning.
Final thoughts
Game 3 of the 2025 World Series didn’t just tie existing records — it challenged what fans expect from October baseball. At 18 innings and nearly 6 hours 40 minutes, the contest became an instant classic, defined by heroics, stamina, and unforgettable moments.
As we move forward in the Fall Classic, the memory of this game will loom large: a testament to the game’s unpredictability, the human will behind each pitch, each swing, each strategic call. If October is baseball’s greatest month, this night affirmed why.
SportBuzzHub will continue tracking Game 4, pitcher usage, bullpen recuperation, and how both teams respond after this marathon.
