Dodgers’ World Series Struggles: Facing Elimination in Toronto
The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a precarious position after dropping Games 4 and 5 of the World Series at home, now trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. The team that dominated throughout much of the regular season must now win two consecutive games on the road at Toronto’s Rogers Centre to capture back-to-back World Series titles—a feat not accomplished in Major League Baseball for 25 years. The pressure has mounted significantly as the Blue Jays’ pitching staff has effectively silenced the Dodgers’ typically potent offense.
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the Dodgers’ recent performances has been their complete offensive collapse. Over the last 29 innings, Los Angeles has managed to score just four runs total, while Toronto’s lineup has consistently produced quality at-bats against the Dodgers’ highly regarded pitching rotation. The Blue Jays have been particularly dominant in the last two games, allowing the Dodgers to score only three runs combined. This offensive drought couldn’t come at a worse time for a team that relied on its hitting prowess throughout much of the season. Even in their marathon 18-inning loss in Game 3, the Blue Jays showed resilience that has carried them to the brink of a championship.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attempted to spark his struggling lineup before Game 5 with notable changes to the batting order. He inserted Alex Call into the ninth spot ahead of Shohei Ohtani, replacing Andy Pages, and moved Will Smith into the second position after Ohtani, shifting Mookie Betts down in the order. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, these adjustments failed to produce the desired results, as the offense continued to sputter against Toronto’s pitching. The problem hasn’t been isolated to just one or two players—it’s been a team-wide slump at the most critical juncture of the season.
Particularly concerning has been the performance of Mookie Betts, one of the Dodgers’ brightest stars and typically a reliable postseason performer. Through five games of the World Series, Betts is batting a meager .130, collecting just three hits in 23 at-bats. His struggles continued in Game 5 with an 0-for-4 night that included two strikeouts. When asked about Betts’ difficulties at the plate, Roberts acknowledged the obvious: “I think he’s pressing.” The manager expressed hope that the scheduled off-day might help Betts reset mentally before Game 6, adding, “Hopefully the off-day, find a way to get away from it, and then go out there and just focus on one game and be good for one game. Go out there and compete.”
Roberts was quick to emphasize that the team’s offensive woes extend well beyond Betts alone. “I think you can see there’s a little anxiousness in there. But it’s not the first time he’s struggled. It’s not the first time he’s faced elimination. And it’s not just Mookie. It’s everyone that’s got to do their part, too,” the manager explained. This collective responsibility highlights the comprehensive nature of the Dodgers’ offensive breakdown. While Betts’ struggles have been pronounced, the issues with the batting order extend to the players surrounding superstar Shohei Ohtani as well, creating a ripple effect throughout the lineup that has stalled the offense.
The series now shifts back to Toronto’s Rogers Centre, where the Dodgers will face not only the Blue Jays but also their notoriously energetic home crowd. The atmosphere promises to be electric as Toronto fans sense the possibility of witnessing a championship celebration on their home turf. For the Dodgers, the challenge is immense but not insurmountable—they must find a way to rediscover their offensive identity while managing the intense pressure of elimination games. History awaits if they can accomplish this comeback: they would be the first team since the 2000 New York Yankees to win consecutive World Series titles. However, before they can think about making history, they’ll need to solve their immediate offensive crisis and find a way to extend their season beyond Game 6.
