The 2025 World Series has hit a real tipping point. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays square off tonight in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.
The series is tied 2-2, and this game could end up defining the championship. Historically, whoever wins Game 5 in a best-of-seven World Series has a huge edge—so, yeah, this one matters more than most.
Both teams are rolling out top pitchers, and the lineups are stacked with talent. It feels like everything could swing tonight, with the series heading back to Toronto right after.
Why Game 5 Could Decide the World Series
In Major League Baseball, Game 5 often turns the tide in a close series. ESPN Insight points out that teams winning Game 5 in a 2-2 World Series take the title 67% of the time.
That stat says plenty about the pressure both squads are feeling. A win tonight doesn’t just boost confidence—it forces the other team to win two straight elimination games. That’s no easy task.
Toronto just grabbed a big win in Game 4, quieting a packed Dodger Stadium with a late surge. The stakes are higher now, and everyone knows how much tonight’s result could shape the rest of the series.
Recap of Game 4: Toronto Strikes Back
The Blue Jays refused to let the Dodgers pull away in Game 4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lit things up with a two-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in the third, putting Toronto ahead early.
The real knockout punch came in the seventh, when the Jays piled on four more runs. That turned a tight 2-1 battle into a pretty comfortable 6-2 victory.
For Los Angeles, it wasn’t just Toronto’s bats—it was missed chances. The Dodgers left runners on base, and now manager Dave Roberts has some tough lineup calls to make for Game 5.
Pitching Matchup: Snell vs. Yesavage
Pitching’s going to be front and center. The Dodgers send out Blake Snell, a lefty who’s been lights out this postseason with a 3-1 record and a 2.42 ERA.
Snell mixes speeds and works the edges, which he’ll need against a Toronto lineup that punishes fastball mistakes. The Blue Jays counter with Trey Yesavage, a right-hander who’s 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA.
Yesavage’s numbers aren’t as sharp, but when his slider is on, he can get through tough lineups. Toronto needs him to keep the Dodgers’ big bats quiet and stay away from giving up the long ball.
Keys to the Game
A few things could swing this one either way:
- Early Momentum – Scoring first matters. Both teams tighten up at the plate when they’re behind.
- Pitch Efficiency – Snell and Yesavage have to keep pitch counts down. Nobody wants to burn through the bullpen tonight.
- Clutch Hitting – The Dodgers stranded too many runners in Game 4. That has to change.
- Defensive Sharpness – Fielding mistakes? Not an option in a game like this.
Odds and Predictions
BetMGM has the Dodgers favored for Game 5, with a -1.5 run line and a -190 moneyline. The Blue Jays come in at +1.5 runs and a +155 moneyline, so yeah, they’re the underdogs—at least on paper.
Those odds lean on Los Angeles’ home-field and Snell’s hot streak, but honestly, Toronto’s shown they can’t be counted out. If Guerrero Jr. and the Jays keep coming up with big hits, they might just head back to Toronto needing one more win for their first championship since 1993.
Looking Ahead
Whatever happens tonight, the series heads back to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday. If things go the distance, Game 7 — that wild, nerve-wracking final — lands on Saturday.
The trophy’s just two wins away for both teams. Fans are in for a finale that, honestly, feels bigger than anything we’ve seen in years.
Game 5 really does have all the ingredients: top-tier pitching, big names everywhere, crowds that won’t sit down, and everything on the line. Who knows if we’ll get a familiar story or something wild and new?
Whoever pulls it off tonight grabs the edge in this chase for the 2025 World Series crown.
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Here is the source article for this story: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays announce lineups for World Series Game 5
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