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There was a lot of pomp and circumstance, as you have come to expect with Game 1 of the World Series. But the Toronto Blue Jays were all business and gave their boisterous fans plenty to yell and scream about. The Jays used an offensive explosion in one inning to turn the tables on the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. How will L.A. respond in Game 2?
OFF THE BENCH.ON THE BOARD. #WANTITALL
— Toronto Blue Jays (Bot) (@bluejaysbot.bsky.social) 2025-10-25T02:51:27.000Z
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World Series Wrapup
Grand Opener: Barger’s Slam Punctuates Jays’ Rout
It didn’t seem logical that the Los Angeles Dodgers could repeat their stellar performances from starting pitchers in the NL Championship Series once again in the World Series. But no one saw this coming. Not only did the Toronto Blue Jays hit Dodgers left-handed starter Blake Snell with an staggering uppercut, they continued punching until they had sent a message: The Jays aren’t rolling over and allowing the Dodgers to walk their way to a second straight World Series championship. Addison Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history as part of a nine-run sixth inning that vaulted the Jays to an 11-4 victory in Game 1 at Rogers Centre.
An underdog in almost everyone’s books due to the Dodgers being the reigning champions and running the most expensive payroll in MLB history, the Blue Jays — buoyed by the Rogers Centre throng that was extremely vocal from the first pitch — showed they belonged on the same stage as L.A. Fitting for the team that posted the best record in the AL and the best home record in MLB.
As they have all postseason in posting a 9-1 record, the Dodgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. But the Jays have been a comeback team all throughout the season and proved that when Daulton Varsho hit a two-run homer in the fourth, the first homer allowed by Snell to a left-handed hitter all season and first since Juan Soto took him deep June 2, 2024. That not only tied the game 2-2, but it snapped Snell’s 17-inning scoreless streak and served notice that the Dodgers were going to be in for a fight.
But then the unexpected happened. In the sixth inning, the Jays started chipping away. Bo Bichette had a leadoff walk, Alejandro Kirk singled and Varsho was hit by a pitch to load the bases. That marked the end of the day for Snell, who was replaced by right-hander Emmet Sheehan. Ernie Clement greeted Sheehan with a go-ahead single and pinch-hitter Nathan Lukes drew a walk to force in a run and Andrés Giménez singled in another run to make it 5-2, still with nobody out. One out later, Barger came in as a pinch-hitter, so the Dodgers countered with another left-hander in Anthony Banda. Barger, who generally sits vs. lefties, then put this game out of reach when he smacked a 2-1 slider 413 feet to right-center field for the first pinch-hit slam in World Series history, putting the Jays up 9-2.
The Jays weren’t done, however, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a single and, one out later, Kirk, hitting for the second time in the inning, put an exclamation point on the outburst by delivering a two-run homer off Banda. When all was said and done, the Jays had nine runs in the sixth inning — five more than the Milwaukee Brewers scored off the Dodgers in the NLCS — and an 11-2 lead. The nine runs were one shy of the World Series record, done twice.
The Dodgers did get a two-run homer from Shohei Ohtani, his first in his two World Series appearances and fourth in two games following his trio of homers in the NLCS clincher. Now, the Dodgers are almost facing a must-win situation in today’s Game 2, where they will have right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched a complete game in Game 2 of the NLCS, against Jays ace Kevin Gausman.
NOW WE GO! #WANTITALL
— Toronto Blue Jays (Bot) (@bluejaysbot.bsky.social) 2025-10-25T01:37:13.000Z
Ernie Clement drives a go-ahead single! #WorldSeries
Five straight @BlueJays have reached base to start the 6th #WorldSeries
Andrés Giménez keeps the line moving! #WorldSeries
CAPTAIN KIRK LIFTS OFF 🚀 #WANTITALL
— Toronto Blue Jays (Bot) (@bluejaysbot.bsky.social) 2025-10-25T02:40:00.000Z
Shohei Ohtani hits his first career #WorldSeries home run!
Just win. #WANTITALL
— Toronto Blue Jays (Bot) (@bluejaysbot.bsky.social) 2025-10-25T03:34:09.000Z
By The Numbers
⚾ The team that has won Game 1 has gone on to win the World Series 76 of 120 times, including 24 of 30 in the wild-card era.
⚾ While Addison Barger’s pinch-hit grand slam was the first in World Series history, it was the fourth in postseason history, with three having something in common.
Postseason pinch-hit grand slams:2025 WS G1 Addison Barger2016 NLCS G1 Miguel Montero1999 ALCS G4 Ricky Ledee1995 NLDS G3 Mark Lewis All but Ledee’s were against the Dodgers
⚾ The Dodgers had allowed eight runs in their previous 53 innings before coughing up nine in the sixth inning. Also, the Dodgers have not given up a run in any sixth inning of their previous 10 postseason games this year.
⚾ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daulton Varsho and Bo Bichette were in the Jays’ starting lineup, the first time three sons of former MLB players started for a single team.
Around The World Series
Bichette Back, Vesia Not
Bo Bichette, who had been out since Sept. 7 with a sprained PCL in his left knee, was included on the Jays’ World Series roster as one of two changes made by Toronto. Bichette, a shortstop who made his first MLB start at second base in Game 1, and first baseman Ty France were added to the 26-player roster, while outfielder Joey Loperfido and right-handed reliever Yariel Rodríguez were taken off. Loperfido was an injury replacement for starting right fielder Anthony Santander during the AL Championship Series.
For the Dodgers, left-handed reliever Alex Vesia, who hasn’t been around the team this week due to a “family matter,” and right-hander Ben Casparius were replaced on the roster by right-handed relievers Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein. Left-hander Tanner Scott, who would have been a prime candidate to replace Vesia, wasn’t selected due to medical reasons. Scott was taken off the NL Division Series roster to have a procedure to remove a lower-body abscess. Vesia’s absence is a blow to a very thin Dodgers bullpen. The Dodgers did not put Vesia on the emergency family leave list as to not pressure him to return. The only way Vesia can return now is as an injury replacement.
OFFICIAL: Presenting our #WorldSeries roster! #WANTITALL
— Toronto Blue Jays (Bot) (@bluejaysbot.bsky.social) 2025-10-24T14:31:46.000Z
Best Moments From Yesterday
Gaston’s Gas
OK, former Jays manager Cito Gaston doesn’t throw as hard as he used to, but still a cool moment. Gaston was the manager when the Jays won back-to-back titles in 1992 and ’93, their only other Series appearances.
Throwing tonight's First Pitch: The LEGENDARY Cito Gaston 🏆🏆 #WANTITALL
— Toronto Blue Jays (Bot) (@bluejaysbot.bsky.social) 2025-10-25T00:08:23.000Z
Unique Flag
The U.S. flag was formed by humans (just don’t tell the Canadians they had too many stripes).
The first human giant flag in World Series history. Very cool
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst.bsky.social) 2025-10-24T23:59:07.253Z
PFP Adjustment
Dodgers starter Blake Snell couldn’t find the bag in time after getting the throw from Freddie Freeman, but he made a heads-up play to nail Ernie Clement at third.
Your average 3-1-5 putout 😅#WorldSeries
He Might Have A Future
Not only did the Jays’ Bo Bichette have a hit in his first postseason plate appearance this year, he had this defensive gem as a second baseman, a position he hasn’t played since the minors.
Bo Bichette had never played second base in MLB before tonight 🤯
Betts Ballet
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts just oozes athleticism.
Air Mookie #WorldSeries
Doing His Part
It might have been 11-4 when Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt came on to pitch the eighth, but every out in the World Series is a big out.
#WORLDSERIES INTENSITY
Noteworthy News
Twins’ Search Narrows
Two former managers are among the reported four finalists for the Minnesota Twins‘ managerial opening. Derek Shelton, fired as the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ manager this season, and Scott Servais, axed by the Seattle Mariners late last season, as well as New York Yankees hitting coach James Rowson and Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty are still candidates being considered to replace Rocco Baldelli, let go by the Twins following a 70-92 record and finishing fourth in the AL Central. Shelton previously was the Twins’ bench coach, while Rowson is a former Twins hitting coach.
Articles You Should Read
How Mookie Betts became a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop at 32 — Dave Brown, Pitcher List
Mattingly, a superstar servant to the players, finally gets his World Series moment — Tyler Kepner, The Athletic
Pity the understudies — Patrick Dubuque, Baseball Prospectus
“Why should I even pitch?” Orioles prospect De Leon rebuilt his confidence — Jesus Cano, Baseball America
Twins future value big board: Ranking the top 20 players based on long-term upside — Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic
Breakout MLB candidate for every NL team in 2026 — Geoff Pontes, Baseball America
Pitcher List Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Lessons from the 2025 Stash List: Pitcher — John Villavicencio
Varland is Blue Jays’ bullpen outlier — Mike Passador
Statcast player similarity hitter busts in 2025 in review — Ben Pernick
