Toronto, Canada — With the stakes at their highest, the Los Angeles Dodgers are inching closer toward forcing a decisive Game 7 in the World Series. A tight, tense Game 6 at Rogers Centre carried into the seventh inning Thursday night with the Dodgers leading the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-1, and both clubs navigating pressure that has intensified with every pitch.
Los Angeles starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto once again lived up to the moment, showcasing poise and command across six innings while working his pitch count into the high-90s. His splitter continued to be nearly unhittable, generating a pile of uncomfortable swings and silencing the building crowd several times throughout the night.
On the other side, Toronto ace Kevin Gausman delivered exactly what the Blue Jays asked for: tone-setting location, heavy splitter use, and pitch-efficient innings. His only blemish came in the third, when the Dodgers capitalized immediately after Toronto issued a semi-controversial intentional walk to Shohei Ohtani. Three straight hitters reached to plate a pair of critical runs, ultimately forcing the Jays to chase from behind.
Security Incident Momentarily Halts Play
The atmosphere briefly shifted in the bottom of the sixth when a spectator hurdled himself over the left-center field fence — a drop of more than 12 feet — and attempted to storm the field while clutching an American flag. The individual stumbled upon landing, dropped the flag, and got only a few strides onto the warning track before three security personnel dragged him to the ground. Play resumed after a short delay.
Tension Begins to Tilt Toward the Bullpen
As Yamamoto approached 100 pitches, speculation around the Dodgers’ dugout grew louder. Los Angeles’ bullpen has been the club’s weakest link all postseason, and manager Dave Roberts’ decision-making carries enormous risk. With the heart of Toronto’s order looming and a left-handed bat due up, many expected Roberts to lean on the consistency of Yamamoto one more inning.
Instead, left-hander Justin Wrobleski was seen heating up quickly, prompting questions inside the press box. If not asked to face a lefty in the sixth, would Roberts deploy him to begin the seventh? Would the Dodgers try to steal three more outs from their starter?
It’s a razor-thin line, especially for a team one swing away from losing its season.
Blue Jays Threaten — But Miss Their Breakthrough
Toronto’s most significant scoring opportunity of the night came in the sixth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. muscled a curveball into the left-field corner — a testament to his raw strength — becoming only the second Blue Jay to reach scoring position. Moments later, Bo Bichette worked a crucial walk, putting two aboard.
The stadium swelled with anticipation.
But Yamamoto executed a devastating splitter down and away to strike out Daulton Varsho, ending the threat and silencing the building again. The right-hander unleashed a rare emotional fist pump as he walked off the mound.
History Trying to Repeat Itself
Toronto fans know this script. In Game 7 of the ALCS, the Blue Jays trailed Seattle 3-1 and sparked a comeback on a dramatic three-run homer from George Springer in the seventh. Tonight’s crowd sensed that same electricity building.
But lightning refused to strike — at least, not yet.
The Stakes Are Clear
Los Angeles is nine outs away from forcing a Game 7 — something no team wants to face on the road, but every baseball fan craves. The Blue Jays are nine outs from history, chasing their first championship since 1993.
Both clubs know the moment is growing heavier with each pitch.
Will Toronto find that magical swing again? Or will the Dodgers’ gamble with their bullpen unravel at the finish line?
The bottom of the seventh looms — and with it, the heartbeat of this World Series.
Stay tuned to The Athletic’s live coverage as Game 6 reaches its defining moments.