October 24, 2025

TORONTO — The Rogers Centre shook like it was 1993 all over again. Backed by a roaring home crowd and an offense that refused to quit, the Toronto Blue Jays thrashed the Los Angeles Dodgers 11–4 in Game 1 of the World Series, seizing an early edge in their quest for baseball glory.

The night began as a tight duel before Toronto unleashed a jaw-dropping nine-run sixth inning — the most dominant single frame in Blue Jays postseason history — turning a 2–2 tie into an all-out rout.

Blake Snell’s early exit opened the floodgates for the Dodgers’ bullpen, and Toronto’s contact-first lineup went to work. Ernie Clement’s RBI single broke the deadlock, Nathan Lukes drew a bases-loaded walk, and Andrés Giménez added another run. Then, with Rogers Centre on its feet, rookie Addison Barger made history — launching the first pinch-hit grand slam ever in a World Series.

Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk’s two-run homer sealed the Dodgers’ fate and sent the Toronto faithful into delirium “We wanted to build a lineup that could adapt to any situation,” said manager John Schneider. “Tonight, our contact hitters showed exactly why that balance matters.”

Toronto finished the night with 13 hits — matching their total number of swings and misses — while Daulton Varsho’s earlier two-run blast in the fourth kept them level before the offensive eruption.

For the defending champion Dodgers, the loss exposed cracks in their bullpen and reminded fans that no dynasty is safe in October.

As the final out landed softly in left field, chants of “Let’s Go Blue Jays!” echoed through the dome — a city, and perhaps a nation, daring to believe again.

Game 2 continues Saturday night in Toronto, with momentum firmly in the Blue Jays’ hands.