The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their World Series hopes alive after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 6 at Rogers Centre. The victory evened the best-of-seven series at three games apiece, setting up a thrilling winner-take-all Game 7 in Toronto.
After a sluggish offensive start in the series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made key lineup adjustments that paid off. Veteran Miguel Rojas was inserted at second base, while Tommy Edman shifted to center field. The changes sparked much-needed energy in the lineup, and the Dodgers responded in the third inning.
Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman retired the first seven batters he faced before Edman broke through with a double. Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked, and Will Smith followed with a run-scoring double to left field. Freddie Freeman then drew a walk, setting the stage for Mookie Betts, who ended his slump with a two-run single that gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
Toronto’s Addison Barger gave the home fans hope with a leadoff double in the bottom of the third. George Springer drove him in with a single to center, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto shut down any further threat. The Japanese star delivered six strong innings, allowing just five hits and one run while striking out five.
Both starting pitchers settled down after the third inning, keeping the game tight. In the ninth, Dodgers closer Rōki Sasaki encountered trouble, hitting Alejandro Kirk with a pitch before Barger doubled to left. Confusion arose when the ball got lodged under the wall padding, leading umpires to rule it a ground-rule double and preventing Toronto from tying the game.
Roberts called on Tyler Glasnow to close it out, and he delivered, inducing a double play to end the game and preserve the Dodgers’ victory.
With everything on the line, the Dodgers will look to defend their title and become the first team since 2000 to win back-to-back World Series. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, aim to capture their first championship in more than three decades and ignite national pride across Canada.
