Through six games, the 2025 World Series has served up high-scoring offensive surges and lockdown defensive efforts, dramatic comebacks and late-game tension, sprints and steals and even a marathon.
So, it’s only fitting that a showdown that’s seen it all should go the distance. And on Saturday night in Toronto, one night after the Dodgers’ 3-1 Game 6 victory to force Game 7 (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT), the Blue Jays and Dodgers will go head-to-head one final time with the World Series title on the line.
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Watch the Blue Jays in the World Series on Sportsnet
It all comes down to Game 7 as the Blue Jays try to win their first World Series title since 1993. Watch Game 7 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
How we got here…
After taking a 3-2 series lead with a commanding Game 5 win over the Dodgers in L.A., the stage was set for the Blue Jays to claim the World Series crown at home Friday night in front of a frenzied crowd ready to celebrate a championship on Halloween.
The Dodgers had other plans. L.A. held the Blue Jays’ bats (mostly) in check with another heroic outing by starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who allowed just a single run and registered six strikeouts in a 3-1 victory for the visitors. Despite a strong outing from Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman and the offence getting to L.A.’s bullpen earlier than expected, Toronto couldn’t muster up much in the way of production to take advantage of opportunities following Yamamoto’s exit from the matchup.
A surge of hope with three outs remaining was squashed by a bizarre sequence of events at the bottom of the ninth — a lodged ball that limited Addison Barger’s near-homer to a double, followed by an unfortunate double play on Barger’s aggressive base-running gamble that didn’t pay off for the home side.
What’s at stake
The stakes don’t get any higher than this. There’s a championship on the line, and just one game left to claim it in this David vs. Goliath showdown that has truly gone the distance.
A win for the Blue Jays would mark the franchise’s first World Series title since 1993. This is also the first time Toronto is playing in a World Series Game 7.
L.A., meanwhile, is one win away from being crowned back-to-back champions — a title that would make them the first team to win two in a row since the New York Yankees won their third straight trophy in 2000.
Starting pitching matchup: Max Scherzer vs. Shohei Ohtani
Scherzer is no stranger to high-pressure situations. He was on the mound the last time a World Series went to a seventh and deciding matchup, propelling the Washington Nationals to victory over the Houston Astros in 2019. The 41-year-old has already gifted Blue Jays fans with some of the best, most dramatic moments of this wild playoff run, so it’s only fitting that he’s got the ball for this ultimate showdown. With so many arms available behind him — including starters on short rest — the question will be: How long does manager John Schneider lean on the veteran?
A similar question is being asked about the Dodgers’ use of Shohei Ohtani, who has been confirmed as the starter by the team. Tyler Glasnow was initially lined up to start Game 7, but that changed when L.A. manager Dave Roberts turned to Glasnow to close out Game 6. He didn’t pitch enough to rule out heavy usage one night later, but deploying Ohtani as the starter is the best call because it’s the only call for the Dodgers if they want to see the dual-threat sensation on the mound. MLB rules state that while Ohtani can remain in the game as the club’s designated hitter after starting the game as a pitcher, he cannot continue to hit following his removal from the matchup as a reliever without being slotted into a defensive position such as outfielder.
Bullpen report
Schneider turned to veteran starter-turned-reliever Chris Bassitt for the final three outs Friday night, saving closer Jeff Hoffman — now with two full days of rest — for Game 7. Who steps in before Hoffman’s likely appearance is one of the most fascinating touchpoints of this matchup — because whether or not arms are rested, this is truly an all-hands-on-deck affair for both sides. That means adding starters Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage to the bullpen crew. Should Scherzer show any signs of slowing down, Schneider could deploy a true pitch-by-committee approach. Of the two, Bieber is the better-rested arm and could be leaned on for a longer relief stint if necessary. Even Game 6 starter Kevin Gausman, coming off a 93-pitch outing, could take the mound if need be.
The Dodgers hoped to lean on Roki Sasaki to end Game 6, but had to turn to a few extra arms to secure the win Friday night. That makes Roberts’ game plan interesting. Will we see Tyler Glasnow in a relief role again? The starter was initially slated to open Game 7 before jumping into action Friday and recording his first career save, and could play a significant middle-innings role Saturday. Roberts told reporters Friday night that everyone except for Yamamoto would be available for Game 7.
Key lineup decision
George Springer’s return to the lineup at DH was a welcomed sight, as was his third-inning single that was one of his hardest-hit balls of the playoffs despite dealing with multiple injuries and obvious discomfort. He’s not the only banged-up Blue Jay — Bo Bichette, too, is working through a lingering knee injury that’s seen him healthy enough to hit but hampered when it comes to base-running. The questions for Schneider will likely come deeper into the lineup and later in the game when he navigates pinch-hit or pinch-run situations. Does Davis Schneider get into the lineup? It’d be hard to justify taking Nathan Lukes or Andres Gimenez out considering their defensive value. Could Addison Barger be bumped up the lineup? He’s been sensational at the plate this post-season.
Storyline to watch
When we’re talking about a Game 7, it feels impossible to pick just a single storyline. This Blue Jays run has featured so many different names — stars and role-players alike — taking on the role of hero, but with the stakes this high and the spotlight this bright, it’s hard to look away from the obvious: Ohtani vs. Vlad Guerrero Jr.
MVP versus MVP, with a World Series title and legacies on the line.
Guerrero hit a statement-making homer off Ohtani in Game 4. With Ohtani likely on the mound again, could we see another? Ohtani’s last series-clinching performance — a Game 4 masterclass on the mound and at the plate — was historic. Guerrero’s entire post-season has seen him write his name into the history books several times over.
We’re about to witness the game’s best on its biggest stage, and even though no one player can win the title alone, these two MVPs are perfectly positioned to lead their respective teams into a showdown for the ages.
