For a brief, tense moment on Saturday night, it seemed as if the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 season was about to end in heartbreak. Trailing deep into the ninth inning of Game 6 of the World Series, the Dodgers were three outs away from elimination — and the Toronto Blue Jays were on the verge of claiming their first championship in over three decades.
Then, in a stunning display of grit and timing, the Dodgers flipped the narrative. A late-inning surge, fueled by clutch at-bats and one monumental mistake by Toronto’s bullpen, turned despair into jubilation. When the final out was recorded, Los Angeles had escaped with a 6-5 win, forcing a decisive Game 7 — a fitting climax to what has been one of the most unpredictable World Series in recent memory.
The night had started with promise for Toronto. Their offense, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., continued its relentless attack, driving in early runs and silencing a normally explosive Dodgers lineup. For six innings, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman was nearly untouchable, mixing off-speed pitches with pinpoint control. The Rogers Centre crowd could sense history approaching — 32 years after the franchise last hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy.
But baseball’s magic lies in its capacity for chaos, and chaos arrived in the ninth.
Down 5-3, the Dodgers’ dugout remained eerily calm. Manager Dave Roberts, no stranger to postseason theatrics, told reporters afterward that he reminded his team of “the 27th out rule” — that the game isn’t over until the last one is secured. What followed was a clinic in patience, persistence, and pressure.
Leadoff man Mookie Betts drew a walk. Freddie Freeman followed with a double that rattled off the right-field wall. The tension in the ballpark was palpable as Will Smith stepped to the plate. On a 2-1 count, Smith lashed a single up the middle, scoring both runners and tying the game. The Dodgers’ dugout erupted.
Toronto, suddenly rattled, called to its bullpen. But the next reliever, struggling to find command, walked consecutive batters, setting the stage for Max Muncy — a veteran with a knack for late-game heroics. On a 3-2 pitch, Muncy lifted a fly ball to deep left field. It wasn’t a home run, but it was deep enough to score the go-ahead run. The Dodgers led 6-5.
The final half-inning was pure drama. Los Angeles closer Evan Phillips faced the heart of Toronto’s lineup — Guerrero, Bichette, and Chapman. After a leadoff single from Guerrero, Phillips steadied himself, inducing a double play that sent the visiting Dodgers’ fans into a frenzy. One more groundout later, and the series was tied.
“I’ve been part of a lot of baseball games,” Roberts said post-game, “but this one might top the list. That’s a championship-caliber response.”
For the Blue Jays, the loss was gutting. Manager John Schneider tried to keep perspective, emphasizing that “we’ve still got one more chance.” Yet his voice carried the weight of missed opportunity — a team that had the trophy within reach now faces the pressure of a winner-take-all showdown.
Game 7, set for Sunday night in Toronto, now becomes a historic event — the first time the Dodgers and Blue Jays have ever met in a World Series finale. It’s also a study in contrasting narratives: Los Angeles, the perennial powerhouse seeking to cement its dynasty with a third title in six years, versus Toronto, the underdog revival story chasing its first title since 1993.
Both teams have leaned heavily on their star players, but the X-factors may be unexpected contributors. For Los Angeles, rookie shortstop Gavin Lux has been a quiet force, recording clutch defensive plays and key hits. For Toronto, the bullpen — once a strength — is now under a microscope after surrendering late leads in consecutive games.
Analysts have already drawn parallels to classic baseball comebacks, invoking the 2016 Cubs, the 2004 Red Sox, and even the Dodgers’ own past postseason dramatics. What makes this particular rally so remarkable is its timing: every at-bat in the ninth inning carried the weight of an entire season.
For Dodgers fans, the narrative feels familiar — this team thrives when cornered. For Blue Jays supporters, it’s a test of endurance and faith. Game 7 will not only decide a championship but could shape the legacy of an era in both franchises’ histories.
Whether this comeback marks a turning point or merely a pause in Toronto’s coronation remains to be seen. But one truth endures: baseball, as ever, finds new ways to astonish.
