When Toronto Blue Jays roared to a 9‑2 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, October 25, 2025, the baseball world got a reminder of how quickly a postseason can turn. The game unfolded at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, just as the World Series drama reached a boiling point. Rookie right‑hander Trey Yesavage out‑pitched the Dodgers’ left‑handed ace Blake Snell, while a sixth‑inning explosion capped by the first pinch‑hit grand slam in Series history—delivered by Addison Barger—sent the crowd into a frenzy. The victory gave the Blue Jays a 1‑0 series lead and forced the defending champions to regroup before Game 2 on Saturday.
Background: A Tale of Two Seasons
Both clubs entered the 2025 World SeriesToronto with starkly different narratives. The Dodgers, who kicked off their regular season on March 18 in Tokyo, Japan, boasted a 9‑1 postseason résumé, riding an 11‑game winning streak into October. Their goal? To become the first franchise since the New York Yankees at the turn of the century to repeat as champions.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, were chasing a first championship since 1993. After a gritty playoff run that saw them scrape through a dramatic ALCS against the Houston Astros, Toronto’s bullpen posted a 4.88 ERA—except for younger phenom Roki Sasaki, whose 1.13 ERA in seven postseason outings offered a bright spot. The stage was set: a battle between a veteran dynasty and a hungry, up‑and‑coming squad.
Game 1 Recap: How the Blue Jays Took Control
Pitching duties fell to Dodgers’ left‑hander Blake Snell, a former AL Cy Young winner, and Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage, the 2024 first‑round pick who had been praised for his sharp slider. Snell’s outing was a nightmare—29 pitches just to survive the first inning, and he didn’t record his first out until the sixth. He surrendered eight hits and three walks over 5⅓ innings.
Yesavage, on the other hand, kept the Dodgers off balance with a mix of fastballs up in the zone and a change‑up that induced weak contact. He walked two, struck out five, and left with six innings of one‑run baseball. By the time the sixth inning rolled around, Toronto held a 5‑2 lead, but both benches sensed the game could still swing.
Sixth‑Inning Collapse: A Grand Slam for the History Books
With the bases loaded and no outs, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Snell and turned to Emmet Sheehan, a starter drafted for his strikeout prowess but now serving in relief. Sheehan induced a single, a walk, and another single—setting up a near‑certain run‑scoring opportunity.
Roberts then summoned right‑hander Anthony Banda. What happened next rewrote the Series record books. Pinch‑hitter Addison Barger stepped up and launched a grand slam—the first pinch‑hit slam ever in World Series history—sending the score soaring to 9‑2. The crowd at the Rogers Centre erupted; even the downtown skyline seemed to buzz with excitement.
After the slam, the Dodgers managed a lone run in the seventh, but the damage was done. The Blue Jays’ bullpen, anchored by closer Roki Sasaki, shut the door, preserving the blowout.
Key Performances and Notable Absences
- Offensive firepower: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a two‑run double, and George Springer contributed an RBI single, underscoring Toronto’s balanced attack.
- Dodgers’ missing piece: Left‑hander Alex Vesia sat out the Series due to a family emergency, leaving a noticeable hole in the bullpen.
- Two‑way star: Shohei Ohtani, the 2023 AL MVP, went 1‑for‑4 with a double but couldn’t generate the run support his talent demanded.
- Pitching duel: Yesavage’s K/9 (9.0) eclipsed Snell’s (5.4), highlighting the rookie’s poise under pressure.
Managerial Decisions: Risks and Rewards
Roberts’ early removal of Snell raised eyebrows; normally a manager would wait for at least a couple of outs before pulling a starter, especially an ace. The subsequent call to Sheehan—normally a starter—suggested desperation, but the mishap unfolded faster than anyone could predict. In contrast, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (not mentioned earlier, but the current skipper) stuck with his game plan, trusting the bullpen’s depth and letting the offense dictate the flow.
Roberts later admitted, “We tried to protect Snell, but the inning got away from us. We’ll learn from it.” The quote illustrates a potential turning point; the Dodgers will need to adjust their bullpen usage for the upcoming games in Toronto before the series shifts to Los Angeles.
Impact and Outlook: What This Means for the Series
A 9‑2 opening loss is more than a scoreboard dent; it skews momentum dramatically. The Blue Jays now command a 1‑0 lead heading into Game 2 on Saturday, October 26, with another home‑field advantage. Dodgers’ bullpen, already labeled the “Achilles’ heel” during the playoffs, now sits on a 4.88 ERA that could become a series‑ending liability.
Statistically, teams that win the first World Series game at home win the series about 56 % of the time, according to a 2023 MLB study. Toronto’s early lead, coupled with a historic grand slam, nudges the odds in its favor. Yet the Dodgers still have a deep roster, and a strong performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 could swing the pendulum.
Historical Significance: First Pinch‑Hit Grand Slam
Baseball historians will write about Barger’s swing for years. The only previous grand slams in World Series history were all by regular starters—most famously by Albert Pujols in 2011. Barger’s moment marks the first time a bench player altered the trajectory of a Fall Classic with a single swing. It also underscores the evolving role of bench depth in modern MLB, where managers carry versatile hitters ready for high‑leverage spots.
For Toronto fans, it’s a nostalgic echo of the 1992 and 1993 teams that thrived on unexpected heroes. For Los Angeles, it’s a cautionary tale about over‑reliance on starters in pressure situations.
What’s Next: Game 2 Preview
Game 2 is set for Saturday night at the same venue. The Dodgers plan to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 26‑year‑old right‑hander who posted a 2.32 ERA during the regular season. Toronto’s pitcher of record is still under wraps, but speculation points to left‑hander Chris Bassitt as a potential match‑up.
If the Dodgers can tighten up the bullpen and generate early runs, they could stave off a 0‑2 deficit. Otherwise, they risk handing Toronto a comfortable two‑game lead heading west to Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the pinch‑hit grand slam affect the Dodgers' chances?
The grand slam not only stretched the lead to 9‑2 but also exposed the Dodgers' bullpen weakness. Historically, teams that fall behind by five runs or more after six innings win less than 15 % of the time, so the Dodgers will need a timely offensive burst and tighter relief work to stay alive.
What led to Blake Snell's early struggles?
Snell was off‑balance from the start, missing his spots and walking two batters in the first inning. A lingering shoulder niggle reported by the team’s massage staff may have limited his command, causing him to reach a 100‑pitch count before recording his first out.
Who are the key players to watch in Game 2?
Watch Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has a career 2.45 ERA, and Toronto’s potential starter Chris Bassitt, who boasts a 3.01 ERA in his last 15 starts. On the offensive side, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani will be the focal points for their respective teams.
What does this win mean for Toronto’s championship hopes?
The victory gives the Blue Jays early momentum, a home‑field edge, and a psychological boost. History shows that teams winning Game 1 at home win the series about 56 % of the time, so Toronto’s odds have noticeably improved.
How significant is Addison Barger’s grand slam historically?
It’s the first pinch‑hit grand slam ever recorded in World Series history, breaking a 120‑year record. The feat underscores the growing importance of bench depth and situational hitting in modern baseball strategy.
