2025 World Series Recap: Dodgers vs Blue Jays - Dramatic Game 7 Comeback Wins Ninth Title for LA

Epic Showdown: Dodgers Defeat Blue Jays in Thrilling 11-Inning Game 7 to Claim Back-to-Back World Series Glory

In the heart-pounding climax of the 2025 MLB postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers etched their name deeper into baseball immortality by outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in an unforgettable 11-inning Game 7 at Rogers Centre. This victory not only secured the Dodgers' ninth World Series championship but also made them the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees' three-peat from 1998-2000. For Blue Jays fans, it was a gut-wrenching near-miss—their first World Series appearance since the back-to-back triumphs of 1992 and 1993—ending in heartbreak after leading late in the decisive game.

The 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays will be remembered as one of the greatest ever played, a seven-game rollercoaster blending offensive fireworks, pitching masterclasses, and defensive heroics that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. What began as a Dodgers dynasty defense turned into a cross-border battle for the ages, with the series splitting between the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles and the chilly vibes of Toronto.

A Series of Twists and Turnarounds

The Fall Classic kicked off with a bang on October 25 in LA, where the Blue Jays exploded for an 11-4 rout in Game 1, powered by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s three-hit night and a relentless lineup that overwhelmed Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto early. Toronto's momentum carried into Game 4 and 5, where they notched convincing wins of 6-2 and 6-1, respectively, behind veteran Max Scherzer's clutch outings and rookie sensation Trey Yesavage's electric stuff. The Jays' bullpen, anchored by closer Jeff Hoffman, stifled LA's star-studded offense for much of the middle games, proving why this ragtag group—last in the AL East the year prior—earned their surprise playoff run.

But the Dodgers, perennial contenders bolstered by Shohei Ohtani's two-way brilliance and Mookie Betts' timely hits, refused to fade. They evened the series in Game 2 with a 5-1 shutout, then pulled off the impossible in Game 3: a 6-5 marathon victory in 18 innings, the longest game in World Series history. Game 6 back in Toronto was a pitcher's duel, with Yamamoto tossing six strong innings of one-run ball, and Enrique Hernández's circus catch in the ninth sealing a 3-1 Dodgers win to force the winner-take-all finale.

Game 7: A Masterpiece of Mayhem

If the series was electric, Game 7 was pure lightning. Played on November 1 under the lights at Rogers Centre before a roaring crowd of 44,713, it featured everything from three-run homers to blown saves and extra-inning drama. The Blue Jays struck first with Bo Bichette's third-inning blast off Ohtani, building a 4-2 lead by the eighth on Max Muncy's solo shot—Toronto's lone long ball of the night. Scherzer, the 41-year-old warhorse, delivered a vintage performance, but it was the Dodgers' resilience that shone brightest.

Trailing 4-2 with two outs in the ninth, ninth-inning sparkplug Miguel Rojas—inserted into the lineup for defensive energy—crushed a full-count slider from Hoffman for a tying two-run homer, his first extra-base hit of the postseason and the first game-tying blast in the ninth of a Game 7. The Rogers Centre fell silent as Rojas rounded the bases, flipping the script on a Jays team two strikes from glory.

Extra innings amplified the chaos. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the 10th but came up empty, while Toronto stranded the tying run in the bottom half. Then, in the 11th, Will Smith—now a six-year World Series winner—launched a solo homer off Shane Bieber for a 5-4 lead, the first extra-inning walk-off shot in a decisive Game 7. Enter Yamamoto, the series MVP, who relieved on short rest and induced a game-ending double play from Alejandro Kirk, clinching the Dodgers' ninth title amid euphoric celebrations.

Standout Stars and Heartbreak Heroes

Yamamoto's heroics defined the Dodgers' run: 4-1 with a 1.56 ERA across five starts, including 15-plus innings of two-or-fewer runs allowed—a feat shared only with legends like Randy Johnson and Madison Bumgarner. Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman provided the clutch bats, while the bullpen—led by Roki Sasaki—navigated high-leverage spots with poise.

For the Blue Jays, the pain lingers. Bichette's homer and Guerrero's leadership galvanized a young core, but Hoffman's blown save and a near-overturned call in the 10th epitomized the "what ifs." Manager John Schneider praised his "special group" that bonded like family, leaving Toronto fans with memories of a team that fought to the final out.

Legacy of a Legendary Fall Classic

This Dodgers-Blue Jays clash wasn't just a series; it was a testament to baseball's unpredictability, blending underdog grit with powerhouse pedigree. As LA parades its trophy through downtown streets, the question looms: Can the Dodgers make it three in a row in 2026? And for Toronto, this loss fuels a fire for redemption. One thing's certain—the 2025 World Series set a bar few will ever top.