A Night to Remember: Game 7 Overview
On a crisp autumn night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, the Dodgers and Blue Jays battled in one of the most dramatic Game 7s in recent memory. The Dodgers, having already secured the title the previous year, entered the game aiming to become the first team to repeat since the New York Yankees did so from 1998-2000. (AP News) Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, playing at home, sought their first World Series crown in 32 years. A titanic clash was set.
From the early innings to the 11th-inning finish, this was a roller-coaster of momentum, key plays, and historic moments.
Early Momentum: Toronto Jumps Out Fron
The game began with the Blue Jays immediately taking charge. In the 3rd inning, Bo Bichette blasted a three-run homer off Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani, putting Toronto ahead 3-0. (AP News)
The Dodgers’ offense looked shaky early, and Ohtani, typically dominant, found himself in uncharacteristic trouble.
In the 4th inning, the Dodgers began to scratch back. A double by Will Smith to left-centre, followed by a Freddy Freeman single, ignited hope. The score trimmed to 3-1. (MLB.com)
The Blue Jays’ pitching, meanwhile, was keeping the Dodgers’ potent lineup at bay—until the Dodgers began finding cracks.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Blue Jays added another run on an RBI double by Andrés Giménez off Tyler Glasnow, extending their lead to 4-2. (MLB.com)
At that juncture, Toronto held the momentum: their crowd was loud, their bats and arms were performing, and they were two outs from legend.
Drama Builds: Tensions, Turnarounds & Key Moments
In the 4th inning, an incident added fuel to the fire: Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski hit Andrés Giménez in the wrist with a pitch, enabling benches to clear and emotions to flare. (The Guardian)
The disruption perhaps shifted energy. From that point, a sense of urgency grew for both sides.
Back on the field, the Dodgers began turning the tide. In the 8th inning, Max Muncy homered to make it 4-3, giving Los Angeles a lifeline. (AP News)
The inning set the stage for the ninth.
The Ninth Inning: Historic Moments & a Collision Course to Extra Innings
As the ninth inning began, the Blue Jays were ahead 4-3 and were two outs away from their first World Series championship in decades. The tension was suffocating.
Enter Miguel Rojas of the Dodgers. With one out in the ninth, Rojas crushed a full-count slider from Jeff Hoffman into the stands — a game-tying solo homer that electrified the Dodgers and stunned the home crowd. He became the first player to hit a tying homer in the 9th of a Game 7 in World Series history. (AP News)
Then, the bottom of the ninth. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out, threatening to re-take the lead. But the Dodgers’ right-hander and ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, entered in relief, induced a force at the plate, then a flyout to send the game to extra innings. His composure under pressure was remarkable. (The Guardian)
A sensational catch by Andy Pages (while crashing into teammate Kiké Hernández) preserved the tie and sent the game onward. (The Guardian)
To recap: ninth inning of Game 7, Blue Jays are one swing away—then Dodgers tie it, survive a bases-loaded jam, and now we’re heading to the 10th.
Extra Innings: Ten & Then the Eleventh Sweepstakes
The tenth inning passed without scoring. The Blue Jays had opportunities, the Dodgers had chances, but both bullpens held firm. (MLB.com)
Then came the 11th. The Dodgers, batting in the top of the 11th, got a huge break. Off Blue Jays reliever Shane Bieber, Will Smith launched a 2-0 slider into the left-field bullpen for a solo home run. It was the first extra-innings homer in a winner-take-all World Series Game 7 ever. The Dodgers led 5-4. (AP News)
In the bottom of the 11th, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled. The Blue Jays had runners on the corners, one out—and were so close. But the Dodgers turned a game- and series-winning 6-6-3 double play when Alejandro Kirk grounded into it. The celebration began. (Reuters)
The Heroic Arms: Yamamoto & The Dodgers’ Pitching Core
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s performance stands as one of the most dominant pitching showings in recent World Series memory. In Game 2 he threw a complete game, allowing one run on four hits, striking out eight. (AP News)
In Game 6 he dug in for six innings, one run allowed, forcing the decisive Game 7. In Game 7, just a day after throwing 96 pitches, he came in on short rest and threw 2-2/3 scoreless innings, securing his third win of the Series. He became only the fourth pitcher ever to win three games in one World Series. (AP News)
His dominance and endurance earned him the World Series MVP. The manager, Dave Roberts, didn’t mince words—he called Yamamoto the “GOAT.” (New York Post)
The bullpen around him, and the rotation anchored by Ohtani, Glasnow and Snell, also performed when it counted. But Yamamoto’s heroics were the defining thread.
The Offense: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays—Who Had the Edge?
Interestingly, despite the Dodgers winning the Series, the Blue Jays out-scored them over the seven games. The Jays’ offense flashed power and depth. But the Dodgers found a way. (The Guardian)
Key offensive moments for LA:
- Max Muncy’s solo homer in the 8th of Game 7 to get Los Angeles to within one run. (AP News)
- Will Smith’s 4th-inning double that set the stage for a comeback. (AP News)
- Miguel Rojas’ surprise ninth-inning homer to tie Game 7. (The Guardian)
For the Blue Jays:
- Bo Bichette’s three-run homer in the 3rd of Game 7 to give Toronto early hope. (AP News)
- Ernie Clement compiled three hits in Game 7 and set a postseason hits record (30 hits) for Toronto. (Reuters)
- Guerrero Jr., Giménez, Springer and the young Trey Yesavage provided sparks and big moments—yet they came up just short.
The Dodgers’ offense wasn’t spectacular every night—but they were timely. Paired with elite pitching and defense, they found the margins.
Defense, Turning Points & “What-ifs”
Defense and key moments often separate champions from contenders. In Game 7, several stood out:
- Andy Pages’ diving catch in the 9th that saved the Dodgers from imminent defeat. (The Guardian)
- The 6-6-3 double play to end the Series. It was only the second time a World Series ended on a double play—and the first since 1947. (AP News)
- The Blue Jays’ inability to convert runners in scoring position in Game 7 (they went 3-for-17) proved costly. (The Guardian)
What ifs linger: What if the Blue Jays had managed one of those scoring hits? What if the Dodgers’ bullpen slipped earlier? But in the end, the Dodgers made the plays when it mattered.
The Historic Significance
This victory carries weight beyond just adding a trophy. Here are some of the historic notes:
- The Dodgers became the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back World Series titles—the last team being the Yankees in 1999-2000. (AP News)
- They became the first National League team to repeat since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76. (AP News)
- Game 7 cemented its place among the greats: extra innings, dramatic swings, the road team winning, clutch performances.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s feat of three wins and a short-rest appearance places him in rare company (with Randy Johnson, Harry Brecheen, Ray Kremer). (AP News)
For the Dodgers organization, that makes their ninth World Series title and a strong case to call this era a “dynasty.” For the Blue Jays, heartbreak—but also the most sustained shot at the title in decades.
Post-Game Reactions & Reflections
After the final out, the celebrations were explosive in the Dodgers clubhouse. Manager Dave Roberts lauded his team’s resilience. Will Smith called it a moment he will “remember forever.” (AP News)
On the Blue Jays side, manager John Schneider expressed pride in his “special group of guys,” even while acknowledging the sting of defeat. (Reuters)
Players on both sides reflected on the intensity, the swings of momentum, and how thin the margin is between glory and heartbreak.
Why This Series Matters
For baseball at large, this series stands out for multiple reasons:
- It highlighted the resurgence of the Dodgers’ model: high payroll, star talent, strong pitching and depth—yet also proved that heart and clutch moments matter.
- It showed the Blue Jays as an emerging powerhouse—with youth, offense, and a hungry fan base—poised for great things (even though they didn’t win).
- It added to the lore of the World Series: Game 7s already hold special meaning, and this one delivered extra innings, historic firsts, and unforgettable moments.
For fans of the Dodgers, the win reinforces their expectations of excellence. For fans of the Blue Jays, it’s painful—but possibly a stepping-stone to the next chapter.
Looking Ahead
What’s next?
For the Dodgers:
- They’ll aim to build a true three-peat. The core is still intact, the pitching is elite, and the culture of winning is strong.
- Managing fatigue and expectations will be crucial. Repeating once is hard; going for three in a row is even harder.
For the Blue Jays:
- The younger players got major postseason experience. The front office has a solid base to improve upon.
- They’ll need to find ways to win the big moments—convert more runners, avoid late collapses—and that might be the difference between contender and champion.
Final Thoughts
In a sport where every pitch, swing, and decision can tilt the outcome, the 2025 Game 7 of the World Series epitomized baseball’s drama. The Dodgers showed poise, talent, timing, and depth. The Blue Jays showed heart, power, and potential. The difference? A handful of decisive plays—and the ability to deliver when it mattered most.
The home of the Dodgers will once again ring with championship cheers. The Blue Jays will lick their wounds and plot a return. And fans around the world witnessed a Fall Classic that will be talked about for years.
