TORONTO — Quite the statement, wouldn’t you say?
As everyone buzzed before the World Series about the Dodgers aiming for back-to-back championships, trying to cement their legacy and depending on a star-studded pitching lineup, the Blue Jays completely disrupted those plans, at least for one memorable night in Toronto.
The first game found itself tied going into the bottom of the sixth inning, but it ended in a staggering loss for the Dodgers. The Blue Jays took control of the game, much like they had against some of the Yankees and Mariners on their way to the World Series.
Facing Blake Snell and then two relievers, the Blue Jays’ batting lineup sent 12 players to the plate, scoring nine runs and nearly lifting the roof off Rogers Center with an 11-4 win over the Dodgers.
Addison Berger made history with a pinch-hit grand slam, while Anthony Banda delivered a single that opened the scoring for a 9-2 lead.
In front of a packed crowd, this was the Blue Jays’ first World Series game in 32 years, and they certainly put on a performance, showing the Dodgers they were more than just contenders for a second consecutive title.
Throughout October and the regular season, the Blue Jays didn’t seem to care about reputation, contracts, or even who was pitching for the other side. They had the lowest strikeout rate in the league and their contact-driven approach caused frustration and embarrassment for their opponents at times.
Once the playoffs began, they took down Max Fried and Carlos Rodon in the Division Series and withstood George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Logan Gilbert in the ALCS.
Snell entered the game with stellar playoff numbers, having surrendered just two runs over 21 innings with 28 strikeouts. Yet, despite a few squandered opportunities — like leaving the bases loaded in the first inning — the Blue Jays refused to let him dominate.
A two-run homer by Dalton Varsho in the fourth inning (the first left-to-left home run Snell allowed all year) reignited the crowd, setting the stage for a fiery sixth inning.
It started quietly enough when Bo Bichette, back from a knee injury, walked. Alejandro Kirk followed with a single, but Varsho was struck out on Snell’s final pitch of the night.
Then, Emmett Sheehan came in, and that’s when things escalated. Ernie Clement, who had a pivotal hit against the Yankees earlier in the playoffs, delivered a single that gave the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead. Pinch hitter Nathan Rooks, who had a long minor league journey before finally making his MLB debut, rallied with a walk, and Andres Jimenez, primarily in for defense, added another single, extending the lead to 5-2.
With one out, Banda faced Berger, who electrified the crowd with a grand slam. Kirk then delivered a two-run shot, wrapping up a powerful night for him, as he finished 3-for-3 with a walk.
Even after leaving Toronto as a free agent two years prior, Shohei Ohtani heard chants during the ninth inning but managed to hit a two-run homer in the seventh to cut the deficit to 11-4 for the Dodgers. However, that was the extent of their response.
Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage, who had previously shined against the Yankees, struggled a bit, only making it through four innings. Still, despite lacking perfect command, he effectively kept the damage minimal and helped his team secure a significant win.
