LA Dodgers Hold On in Toronto to Force Winner-Take-All Game 7 in Fall Classic

This year's championship series is going to a decisive seventh game following the Dodgers kept their repeat dreams intact on Friday with a 3–1 victory over the Blue Jays in Game 6.

The defending champions halted Toronto’s late-game comeback with a dramatic game-ending double play, silencing a home audience that had arrived prepared to cheer the team's championship in over three decades.

Game 6 Recap

The Dodgers produced all of their offense in the third inning. With two away, Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked before Smith hit a two-bagger to left field to score Tommy Edman. Freeman earned a base on balls to fill the bases, and Betts came through with a two-RBI hit to left, giving the Dodgers a 3–0 lead.

Betts’ hit snapped a playoff dry spell and rekindled the title holders' hopes of being the first repeat World Series victors since the New York Yankees won three consecutive from 1998 to 2000.

Pitching Battle

Kevin Gausman had been nearly unhittable to that stage, fanning half a dozen of the first seven Dodgers he confronted. He struck out eight through three innings, matching a World Series record, but the third-inning barrage proved costly. The Toronto ace finished with 8 Ks over six frames, yielding three earned runs on three safeties and two free passes.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in contrast, was steady again under stress. The 27-year-old right-hander outdueled his counterpart for the second occasion in a seven days, giving up one run on five hits over six innings with six strikeouts. He boosted his record to 4–1 this playoffs with a 1.56 ERA.

The only run against him resulted from Springer’s two-out base hit in the third inning, driving in Barger, who had hit a double previously in the frame. Springer’s hit offered a brief spark in his comeback to the lineup after missing a pair of contests with an side strain.

Relief Heroics

After that, the Dodgers’ bullpen took over. First-year pitcher Justin Wrobleski got out of a jam in the seventh inning, and another rookie Rōki Sasaki pitched into the ninth inning before plunking Alejandro Kirk to start the inning. Addison Barger then hit a two-base hit that got stuck under the outfield wall, forcing base runners to stay at second and third base.

Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles’ Game 3 starter, entered in a relief role and got a pop fly before Giménez lined to left field. Enrique Hernández caught the ball and threw to second to double off the runner, clinching the win and earning Glasnow his first-ever successful save.

Next Up: Game 7

The series now boils down to a single contest. Scherzer will take the mound for the Blue Jays, becoming the sole active hurler to start multiple World Series Game 7s after doing so in the 2019 season with Washington. The veteran signed a one-year deal to pursue one more title and has been a vocal leader throughout this playoff run.

The Dodgers, aiming to become baseball’s first back-to-back title winners in almost 25 years, are expected to rely on Shohei Ohtani for a short outing.

Tammy Burns
Tammy Burns

A seasoned travel writer and luxury lifestyle expert, Elara explores hidden gems and opulent destinations, sharing unique perspectives on high-end experiences.