When Toronto Blue Jays took the field at Rogers Centre on Friday, October 24, 2025, the atmosphere was electric—first World Series game in the city since Joe Carter’s 1993 walk‑off. The Los Angeles Dodgers entered with a 93‑69 regular‑season record, hoping to repeat as champions, but a nine‑run sixth inning turned the night into a Blue Jays showcase. Addison Barger made history with a pinch‑hit grand slam, the first ever in World Series lore, while Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, watched his bullpen implode. Even Shohei Ohtani’s two‑run homer in the seventh could not erase the damage.
Historic Pinch‑Hit Grand Slam
The sixth inning began with Blake Snell, a two‑time Cy Young winner, still on the mound after 4.2 innings and 100 pitches. After a 2‑2 tie, a pitch to Daulton Varsho loaded the bases, forcing Dodgers reliever Michael Sheehan into action. Sheehan’s first batter walked, and the next single by Ernie Clement gave Toronto its opening lead, 3‑2.
Roberts, panicking, called on left‑hander Alex Banda to face left‑handed Addison Barger. Banda’s 2‑1 slider hung over the plate, and Barger crushed it 413 feet for a grand slam that vaulted the score to 9‑2. The blast marked the first pinch‑hit grand slam in any World Series, a moment analysts called "the kind of record‑breaker that defines a franchise’s legacy."
Sixth‑Inning Explosion
Just three batters later, Banda’s fastball found the sweet spot of Alejandro Kirk, who launched a 403‑foot two‑run homer, extending the gap to 11‑2. The inning added three more runs on singles by Kiké Hernández and a sac fly from Daulton Varsho. By the end of the sixth, Toronto had turned a modest 2‑0 deficit into an 11‑4 lead.
Rookie reliever Trey Yesavage, just 22, entered in the seventh, striking out five over four innings. He kept the Dodgers off‑balance, while veteran Anthony Domínguez closed the eighth scoreless.
Dodgers’ Response and Ohtani’s Homer
Despite the avalanche, the Dodgers found a glimmer of hope when Shohei Ohtani stepped up in the seventh. Facing Blue Jays reliever Braydon Fisher, Ohtani belted a two‑run shot that trimmed the deficit to nine runs. The crowd’s reaction was mixed; some fans shouted, “We don’t need you!”—a reference to Ohtani’s decision to leave Toronto for Los Angeles in 2023.
Roberts later told ESPN, "We just didn’t make pitches when we needed to to keep that game close," a sentiment shared by many analysts who pointed to the mis‑management of the bullpen as the decisive factor.
Reactions, Numbers, and What This Means
The game's buzz didn’t stop at the stadium. Sportsnet’s YouTube highlights rack up 291,000 views within six hours, and social media threads are already dissecting the strategic choices. For Toronto, the win ends a 32‑year World Series drought; the last appearance was in 1993, when Joe Carter’s walk‑off homer clinched the championship.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers remain the defending champions, seeking the first repeat title since the Yankees’ three‑peat from 1998‑2000. Their regular‑season road record (41‑40) suggests vulnerability away from Los Angeles, and the Game 1 collapse may foreshadow deeper issues.
Background: Toronto’s Long Wait for a Title
The Blue Jays’ road back to the Fall Classic has been anything but smooth. After clinching the 2022 AL East, they fell short in the ALCS, and the 2023 season saw a mid‑season trade spree that reshaped the roster. The arrival of young talent like Addison Barger and the resurgence of veterans such as Kiké Hernández gave the club new firepower.
Historian Tom Verducci notes, “Toronto’s 1993 win feels like a distant story to the city’s younger fans. This 2025 team finally connects the ’90s magic to a modern, data‑driven approach.” The blend of analytics, aggressive baserunning, and clutch hitting manifested perfectly in that ninth‑run burst.
What’s Next for Both Clubs?
Game 2 is slated for Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 7:08 PM Eastern, again at Rogers Centre. Dodgers manager Roberts promised a “different approach” with a quicker hook for Snell and a tighter bullpen sequence. The Blue Jays, buoyed by confidence, will likely start left‑hander Jordan Romano, whose 2024 postseason ERA sits at a sparkling 1.95.
If the Dodgers can halt Toronto’s early‑inning fireworks, the series could swing back to a classic duel. If not, the Blue Jays may be on track to finally break that three‑decade curse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Addison Barger’s grand slam impact his career?
The pinch‑hit grand slam instantly places Barger in the World Series record books and boosts his market value. Analysts project his next contract could exceed $15 million, reflecting the rarity of a rookie delivering such a historic moment on baseball’s biggest stage.
What does the loss mean for the Dodgers' title defense?
Falling behind 1‑0 puts pressure on Los Angeles to adjust its pitching strategy quickly. A weakened bullpen early in the series could force the team to lean heavily on ace Walker Buehler in later games, increasing fatigue risk.
Why was the sixth inning so lopsided?
A combination of mis‑matched pitcher‑batter matchups and defensive miscues created a perfect storm. Dodgers’ relievers were forced to pitch to left‑handed hitters, a scenario they statistically struggled against, while Toronto’s batters capitalized on every mistake.
What historical parallels exist for a team breaking a long championship drought?
The 2016 Chicago Cubs ending a 108‑year World Series curse is a notable parallel. Both clubs relied on a mix of veteran poise and youthful exuberance, and both saw a defining moment—an unlikely homer or a dramatic defensive play—shift the series momentum.
When is Game 2 and what should fans watch for?
Game 2 kicks off Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 7:08 PM Eastern at Rogers Centre. Fans should keep an eye on the Dodgers' starting pitcher, the early‑inning bullpen usage, and whether Toronto can repeat its offensive surge before the middle innings.