TORONTO — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bid for back-to-back championships hit a wall Friday night in Toronto, as the Blue Jays exploded for a nine-run sixth inning and stormed to an 11–4 victory in Game 1 of the World Series at Rogers Centre.
Addison Barger became an instant postseason legend, blasting the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, while Alejandro Kirk followed with a two-run homer to cap Toronto’s furious rally. Daulton Varsho sparked the comeback earlier with a two-run shot off Dodgers ace Blake Snell, erasing a 2–0 deficit and igniting a crowd that had waited more than three decades for the Fall Classic’s return to Canada. The Blue Jays’ offensive outburst turned what began as a tense pitcher’s duel into a celebratory night reminiscent of 1993 — the last time Toronto hosted the World Series, when Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off homer sealed the championship.
Ohtani Booed but Homers Late
For the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani provided one of the few bright spots. He crushed his first World Series homer in the seventh inning, a two-run shot off reliever Braydon Fisher. But by then, Los Angeles trailed by nine, and the crowd’s taunts of “We don’t need you!” echoed through the dome — a clear reminder of his decision to turn down Toronto’s $600 million pursuit last winter in favor of a record $700 million deal with L.A. Ohtani’s homer was his fourth in just two games, but it wasn’t enough to shift momentum back to the defending champs.
Rookie Yesavage Rises to the Moment
Toronto rookie Trey Yesavage, just 22 years old, held his composure on baseball’s biggest stage. Making only his seventh big league start, Yesavage allowed two early runs but battled through four innings, escaping key jams against the heart of the Dodgers’ order. At 22 years, 88 days, he became the second-youngest pitcher ever to start a World Series opener — behind only Brooklyn’s Ralph Branca in 1947.
“I just wanted to make this country proud,” Yesavage said afterward. “We represent all of Canada out there.” His words resonated — especially in a city that hasn’t hosted the Series since Carter’s famous blast 32 years ago.
Snell Falters, Dodgers Bullpen Collapses
Snell, the Dodgers’ two-time Cy Young winner, started strong but unraveled as the Blue Jays’ lineup adjusted. He gave up five runs, eight hits, and three walks over five-plus innings — including Varsho’s game-tying homer and a leadoff walk to Bo Bichette that sparked the sixth-inning avalanche.
Snell hadn’t allowed a homer to a left-handed hitter since June 2024, but Varsho broke that streak with authority. After Snell exited, the Dodgers’ bullpen — typically one of MLB’s most reliable — completely imploded. Relievers Emmet Sheehan and Anthony Banda combined to surrender six runs in the frame, highlighted by Barger’s 413-foot slam to right-center that sent the crowd of 45,000 into a frenzy.
“Honestly, I was just trying to make solid contact,” Barger said postgame, grinning. “It’s something you dream about as a kid.”
Blue Jays’ Balanced Attack
Toronto’s offense looked unstoppable from top to bottom, racking up 14 hits.
Veterans Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Varsho — all sons of former MLB players — made history as the first trio of second-generation stars to start together in a World Series lineup. Bichette, returning from a knee injury that sidelined him since early September, played second base for the first time in six years. He collected a hit, drew a critical walk, and even made a slick defensive play that saved a run. Meanwhile, Kirk continued his torrid postseason, launching his fourth homer of October to push Toronto’s lead to 11–2.
Dodgers’ Rust Shows
The Dodgers entered the series after a full week off following their NLCS sweep, and the layoff showed. Early miscues, sluggish defense, and poor command from the pitching staff allowed Toronto to capitalize on nearly every opportunity. It’s not the first time this kind of rest has backfired. Since 1985, teams entering the World Series after sweeping their league championship series are 0-4 against opponents coming off longer, seven-game battles. Manager Dave Roberts admitted the team “looked a little flat” but emphasized that it’s a long series. “We’ll bounce back,” he said. “This isn’t new territory for us.”
Dodgers Fans Travel North
Despite the lopsided loss, Dodger blue was visible throughout the Rogers Centre. Fans traveled from Los Angeles — and across Canada — to see their team chase consecutive titles. “I’m just proud to be here supporting the Boys in Blue,” said Joshua Mirecki, a lifelong Dodger fan from Winnipeg. “Blake’s going to come back strong, and this team will respond.” Another fan, Rubi Lopez from California, said attending the game had been on her bucket list. “I’m waiting for another ring — back-to-back. I believe it’ll happen.”
The Scene in Toronto
It was a night packed with symbolism. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended batting practice. The stadium — renamed from SkyDome to Rogers Centre in 2005 — buzzed with national pride, the crowd waving both Canadian flags and Blue Jays towels. For many fans, it brought back memories of the franchise’s glory days, when Carter’s ninth-inning homer off Philadelphia’s Mitch Williams secured the 1993 championship. Since then, Toronto has become Canada’s lone MLB team, following the Montreal Expos’ relocation to Washington, D.C., in 2005. “This team represents the entire country,” Yesavage said. “You feel it every time you step on that mound.”
Up Next: Game 2 Preview
Game 2 is set for Saturday night at Rogers Centre, with the Dodgers sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound against Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. Yamamoto dazzled last postseason, allowing just one run in 6⅓ innings in Game 2 of last year’s World Series and most recently throwing a complete-game three-hitter in the NLCS. Gausman, meanwhile, will make his World Series debut and is expected to have the full weight of Canada behind him as Toronto looks to take a commanding 2–0 lead.
Notes
- Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia has stepped away from the team due to a “deeply personal family matter,” the club announced Thursday.
- Los Angeles is the first defending champion to reach the World Series since the 2009 Phillies, who lost to the Yankees.
- No National League team has repeated as champions since Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine in 1976.