The night began with palpable tension—could the Blue Jays recover, physically and emotionally, after setting World Series records for runners left on base and at-bats in the previous game? Manager John Schneider insisted, “The Dodgers didn’t win the World Series, they won a game.” The message was clear: Toronto’s story was not over.
Early on, it seemed the Dodgers, led by the indomitable Shohei Ohtani, would ride the momentum. L.A. struck first with Enrique Hernández’s sacrifice fly, but the Dodgers’ offense, which has hit just .200 outside of Ohtani in the World Series, continued to sputter. Ohtani, who had made history at the plate in Game 3, took the mound just hours later, his presence looming over the Blue Jays’ dugout like a challenge issued by the baseball gods themselves.
But this Toronto team has made a habit of comebacks all season, and tonight would be no different. In the top of the third, Nathan Lukes singled, setting the stage for October’s new icon: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Guerrero, already the face of the franchise and a postseason force, demolished a hanging Ohtani slider for a two-run homer, turning a one-run deficit into a 2-1 Toronto lead and tying the franchise record for postseason home runs. The shot, immortalized on MLB’s official Twitter, sent the Blue Jays’ dugout into a frenzy.
Ohtani responded with veteran poise, retiring 11 of 12 batters at one point and overpowering the Blue Jays through six innings, his fastball touching 99 mph. Yet, when asked to start the seventh, the cracks began to show. Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement immediately reached with sharp hits, forcing Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to go to his bullpen—a move that unraveled spectacularly. Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen could not stem the Blue Jays’ tide, as Toronto poured on four runs with clutch hits from Andrés Giménez, Bo Bichette, Addison Barger, and Ty France, stretching the lead to 6-1 and draining the life from Dodger Stadium.
The Blue Jays’ own pitching was steely and relentless. Shane Bieber, acquired at the trade deadline and still on the comeback trail from Tommy John surgery, gutted out 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball in his first career World Series start. When Bieber finally yielded to pressure in the sixth, rookie lefty Mason Fluharty and veteran Chris Bassitt—who has become a revelation in relief—locked down the Dodgers’ bats. Louie Varland closed the door, and the Blue Jays’ bullpen proved the difference on a night when every pitch and every out felt like an act of defiance.
The Dodgers, so mighty all year, could not muster a late rally, despite a brief flicker in the ninth. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith came up with a five-run deficit and nothing but hope. But Toronto’s determination would not be denied.
This win does more than even the series at 2-2—it guarantees that the World Series, and the 2025 MLB season, will conclude in Toronto for either Game 6 or 7. For the Blue Jays, it’s a testament to their resilience and belief. For the Dodgers, it’s a warning: this series is far from over, and the heart of Canada beats louder than ever.
Don’t miss the next chapter—Game 5 returns to Dodger Stadium with a rematch between Blake Snell and Trey Yesavage. For a recap of the drama, see NBC News’ live coverage and relive Guerrero’s pivotal homer via MLB on Twitter. The world is watching, and the stakes have never been higher.