Blue Jays Take Game 1, Chase Blake Snell Against Dodgers

The Toronto Blue Jays made a statement in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11–4. The Rogers Centre crowd was absolutely roaring.

After a tight early battle, Toronto’s offense unleashed a historic nine-run sixth inning. Addison Barger’s pinch-hit grand slam — the first ever in World Series history — and Alejandro Kirk’s two-run blast fueled the outburst.

The victory gave the Blue Jays a 1–0 lead in the series. Their bats just looked ready to challenge one of baseball’s most formidable pitching staffs.

Blue Jays’ Historic Sixth Inning Changes the Game

Through five innings, it felt like a pitcher’s duel. Dodgers’ ace Blake Snell went head-to-head against Toronto’s rookie starter Trey Yesavage.

That all changed in the bottom of the sixth. Snell’s dominance simply unraveled.

He surrendered eight hits and five earned runs, failing to retire a batter before leaving with the bases loaded. What followed was a collapse that’s going to stick in people’s memories for a long time.

First Ever Pinch-Hit Grand Slam in World Series History

Emmet Sheehan came in for Los Angeles but couldn’t stop the surge. Addison Barger, coming off the bench, slammed the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history—a blast that shook the stadium and flipped the game on its head.

Moments later, Alejandro Kirk added a two-run homer. The offensive explosion left the Dodgers reeling.

Key Performances for Toronto

The Blue Jays got contributions from up and down the lineup. They really showed off their depth and resilience.

Yesavage, making his World Series debut, worked through four innings of two-run ball. He wasn’t dominant, struggling with his splitter, but he kept things close enough for the offense to pounce.

Bo Bichette’s Return Adds Infield Stability

Bo Bichette, back from a knee injury, went 1-for-2 at the plate and drew a walk. His defensive assignment was notable—he played second base for the first time since 2019.

This adjustment gave Toronto some tactical flexibility. The infield looked solid for this crucial opener.

Dodgers’ Bullpen Struggles Intensify Concerns

For Los Angeles, Game 1 was a painful reminder of their postseason pitching struggles. The Dodgers bullpen entered with a 4.88 ERA and just couldn’t contain Toronto’s hitters in the sixth inning.

Sheehan and Anthony Banda combined to surrender multiple runs without recording key outs. It just got out of hand fast.

Ohtani Stays Hot Despite the Loss

Shohei Ohtani was a bright spot for the Dodgers. He launched his fourth home run in the last two games.

His late blast trimmed the deficit, but it really was too little, too late. Los Angeles needs Ohtani’s consistency while they search for answers on the mound.

Historical Context and Fan Impact

Toronto’s win marked their first World Series victory since 1993. The crowd went wild, and fans all across Canada felt the excitement.

The energy inside Rogers Centre reflected decades of anticipation. Game 1 meant a lot for this franchise.

Momentum Heading Into Game 2

With a 1–0 series lead, Toronto now has a chance to tighten its grip on the championship. Game 2 will pit Kevin Gausman against Dodgers’ ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

For Los Angeles, evening the series depends on whether their pitching staff can contain this fired-up Blue Jays lineup. Guess we’ll see if they can bounce back.

Game 1 Takeaways

Several storylines popped up from the highly-anticipated opener:

• Toronto’s offensive depth made a real difference, with some wild contributions from the bench.
• Dodgers’ bullpen issues still stick out as a glaring weakness. They really need to fix that, and soon.
• Fan energy pushed Toronto’s performance higher, turning the stadium into a real home-field advantage.
• Injury recoveries like Bichette’s return give Toronto more roster options to play with.

Game 1 wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. The Dodgers have the roster and pitching to respond fast, so Game 2 feels like a must-watch for anyone who loves a heavyweight showdown.

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Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series Game 1 score, live updates: Blue Jays chase Blake Snell, take big lead in sixth inning