Dodgers Force World Series Game 7 with Dramatic Victory
In a heart-stopping display of championship resilience, the Los Angeles Dodgers staved off elimination Friday night with a nail-biting victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the World Series. Manager Dave Roberts’ bold decision-making proved crucial as the defending champions refused to relinquish their crown without a fight. The game’s defining moment came in the ninth inning when Roberts made the audacious call to bring in Sunday’s projected starter, Tyler Glasnow, with Blue Jays runners on second and third. In an astonishing display of efficiency, Glasnow needed just three pitches to secure three outs, transforming what could have been a game-tying hit into a dramatic, game-ending double play that preserved the Dodgers’ slim lead and kept their championship hopes alive.
The Dodgers’ lineup underwent significant changes heading into this elimination game, with Roberts continuing to search for the right combination to ignite his team’s offense. Most notably, star shortstop Mookie Betts, who had struggled mightily throughout the series (hitting just 3-for-23 with no RBIs or extra-base hits), was moved to the cleanup spot—a position he hadn’t occupied since the 2017 American League Division Series. The gamble paid immediate dividends as Betts delivered a clutch two-run single in the third inning, providing crucial run support for starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This strategic adjustment highlighted Roberts’ willingness to make unconventional moves in the face of elimination, trusting his players to rise to the occasion despite previous struggles.
On the mound, Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto couldn’t quite replicate his Game 2 masterpiece—a complete-game four-hitter that represented the first World Series complete game in a decade—but still delivered a strong six-inning performance. Yamamoto limited the potent Blue Jays offense to just one run, which came on a third-inning RBI single by George Springer, who had returned to the lineup after missing two games with an injury to his right side. This gutsy performance from Yamamoto kept the Dodgers in control through six innings, setting the stage for the bullpen to navigate the high-pressure late innings, culminating in Glasnow’s dramatic ninth-inning heroics.
After the game, Roberts explained his unconventional decision to use Glasnow, who was slated to start a potential Game 7, in relief: “This is do or die. You’ve got to leave it all out there and pick up all the pieces,” he told FOX Sports. “Roki [Sasaki] wasn’t as sharp. I felt right there Glasnow had swing and miss stuff and I just wanted to bet on him.” This win-at-all-costs mentality underscores the desperation of elimination games and the willingness of championship teams to abandon conventional wisdom when facing adversity. Roberts’ decision to use his presumptive Game 7 starter in relief means the Dodgers will now need to reconfigure their pitching plans for Saturday’s winner-take-all showdown.
The stage is now set for a dramatic Game 7, where the Blue Jays will turn to veteran ace Max Scherzer, who brings valuable experience to the high-pressure situation. Scherzer previously started the last World Series Game 7, earning a no-decision when his Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros to claim the 2019 title. This championship experience could prove invaluable for the Blue Jays as they seek their first World Series title since 1993, looking to end a 31-year championship drought that has left their passionate fanbase hungry for victory. The Dodgers, meanwhile, face uncertainty in their pitching plans following Glasnow’s relief appearance, but they carry the momentum of Friday’s dramatic victory into the decisive game.
Saturday night’s Game 7 represents the ultimate drama in sports—a winner-take-all showdown where legacies will be defined and dreams will be realized or shattered. For the Dodgers, victory would cement their status as a modern dynasty, making them the first team to win consecutive championships since the New York Yankees’ three-peat from 1998 to 2000. For the Blue Jays, a win would bring a championship back to Toronto and validate the organization’s aggressive roster-building approach. As fans from both cities hold their collective breath, the baseball world eagerly anticipates this final chapter of what has been a thrilling and unpredictable World Series. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX, with millions expected to tune in for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the baseball season.
