Los Angeles Dodgers Survive in Canada to Force Decisive Game 7 in World Series

The World Series is going to a final Game 7 following the Los Angeles Dodgers kept their repeat hopes intact on Friday with a three to one win over the Blue Jays in Game 6.

The defending champions halted Toronto’s ninth-inning rally with a thrilling final double play, silencing a Rogers Centre crowd that had come ready to celebrate the team's championship in over three decades.

Sixth Game Recap

Los Angeles produced all of their scoring in the third frame. With two outs, Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked before Smith doubled to left to bring home Edman. Freeman earned a base on balls to load the bases, and Mookie Betts came through with a two-RBI hit to left, giving the Dodgers a 3–0 advantage.

That key hit snapped a playoff dry spell and revived the title holders' aspirations of becoming the first repeat championship winners since the Yankees won three consecutive from 1998 through 2000.

Pitching Duel

Kevin Gausman had been nearly unhittable to that stage, striking out half a dozen of the first seven batters he confronted. He struck out eight through three innings, tying a Fall Classic mark, but the third-frame rally proved decisive. The Toronto ace finished with 8 Ks over six frames, yielding three runs on three safeties and two free passes.

Yamamoto, in contrast, was steady again under stress. The 27-year-old right-hander outpitched Gausman for the second time in a seven days, allowing 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 George Springer two-out single in the third inning, driving in Barger, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Springer’s hit offered a momentary lift in his comeback to the starting nine after missing a pair of contests with an side strain.

Relief Effort

From there, the Dodgers’ bullpen took over. First-year pitcher Justin Wrobleski escaped a tight spot in the seventh, and another rookie Rōki Sasaki worked into the ninth inning before plunking Alejandro Kirk to start the inning. Barger followed with a two-base hit that became wedged under the outfield wall, obliging base runners to hold at second and third.

Glasnow, Los Angeles’ third game starter, entered in relief and got a popout before Giménez hit a line drive to left. Enrique Hernández made the catch and threw to second to retire Barger, clinching the victory and giving Glasnow his first career successful save.

Looking Ahead: Game 7

The best-of-seven now boils down to a single contest. Scherzer will start for the Blue Jays, making him the only living pitcher to pitch in multiple seventh games of the World Series after doing so in the 2019 season with the Nationals. The 40-year-old signed a one-year deal to chase one more title and has been a vocal leader throughout this playoff run.

The Dodgers, looking to be the sport's initial repeat champions in almost 25 years, are projected to rely on their two-way star for a short outing.

Chelsea Vance
Chelsea Vance

A Dubai-based travel writer and luxury lifestyle expert with a passion for uncovering hidden gems and sharing authentic experiences.