When Blake Snell, left‑handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, took the mound at Rogers Centre on October 24, 2025, he probably didn’t expect to be chased out after a nine‑run blitz. The Toronto Blue Jays turned a 2‑0 early hole into an 11‑4 victory in World Series Game 1, delivering the first championship game to Toronto since Joe Carter’s walk‑off in 1993.
Why This Game Matters
The win does more than add a tally to the score sheet; it flips the narrative on a Dodgers team that entered the series as -150 favorites and the first club since the 1998‑2000 Yankees to chase a three‑peat. For the Blue Jays, it’s a statement that the franchise can finally convert its postseason hype into concrete results, especially after falling short in the two previous ALCS appearances.
Key Moments That Shifted the Momentum
The fourth inning saw Daulton Varsho, center fielder, launch a two‑run homer off Snell, snapping the early deficit. But the real fireworks erupted in the sixth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Addison Barger, a 28‑year‑old utility man, delivered the first pinch‑hit grand slam in World Series history. A few pitches later, Alejandro Kirk, the 25‑year‑old catcher, added a two‑run blast, pushing the lead to 11‑2.
Dodgers’ Response and Ohtani’s Lone Highlight
Los Angeles refused to go silent. Mookie Betts sparked the second inning with an RBI single, and Freddie Freeman did the same in the third. The only real comeback came in the seventh when two‑way star Shohei Ohtani belted a two‑run homer off reliever Braydon Fisher. Ohtani’s blast was his first ever in the World Series, but it barely dented the deficit.
Quotes from the Dugout
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted the challenge: “You’ve got to give those guys credit. They fought like no lineup we’ve seen this postseason.” Snell, in a post‑game interview on SportsNet LA, blamed his performance on a loss of fastball command: “I just couldn’t locate when I needed to.”
Stat Sheet Snapshot
- Blue Jays: 14 hits, 5 runs earned by Snell, 0 errors
- Dodgers: 6 hits, 4 runs earned, 0 errors
- Attendance: 49,700 (standing‑room tickets sold out)
- Historic note: First pinch‑hit grand slam in World Series history
- Run differential: Highest ever allowed against the Dodgers in a postseason game since 2020
What This Means for the Rest of the Series
With the Blue Jays holding a 1‑0 series lead, the pressure shifts to the Dodgers, who now have to win two of the next three games to stay alive. The odds are already tightening; Las Vegas sportsbooks moved the Blue Jays from +120 to +105 after the opener. If Toronto keeps its offense humming, they could force a long, grueling series that tests both clubs’ depth.
Historical Context: Toronto’s World Series Return
The last time Toronto hosted a championship game was October 23, 1993, when Joe Carter’s walk‑off clinched the title for the Toronto Blue Jays. That moment still echoes in the city’s sports culture, and the 2025 series has reignited that nostalgia. Varsho’s name even nods to Philadelphia’s former catcher Darren Dauton, linking two eras of baseball lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect the Dodgers' chances of a repeat championship?
Losing Game 1 puts Los Angeles in a must‑win position for the next two contests. While they still have a strong rotation, the early deficit forces the bullpen into earlier usage and narrows the margin for error, making a repeat less certain.
What historic first did Addison Barger achieve?
Barger recorded the first pinch‑hit grand slam in World Series history, a feat that had never been seen in the championship’s 121‑year existence.
Why was the attendance figure notable?
Rogers Centre officially seated 49,286 for baseball, yet 49,700 fans attended, meaning standing‑room tickets were sold out and the venue reached a new postseason capacity record.
What does the win mean for Toronto’s baseball legacy?
It’s the franchise’s first World Series opener win since the 1990s and the first time a Canadian team has taken a Game 1 lead in a series that returns to the country after 32 years, revitalizing interest across Canada.
Who will likely start Game 2 for the Dodgers?
Analysts expect left‑hander Walker Buehler to take the mound, aiming to stabilize the rotation after Snell’s early exit.