The World Series brings out the best in baseball, and Game 3 between the Blue Jays and Dodgers was no exception. As you just witnessed in the highlights, this pivotal matchup offered non-stop drama, showcasing clutch hitting, strategic pitching, and game-changing defensive plays. The series stood tied 1-1 entering this contest, making the outcome of Game 3 incredibly significant. Historically, the team that claims victory in Game 3 of the World Series wins the entire series approximately 70% of the time. This statistic amplifies the pressure felt by every player and coach on the field, transforming each pitch into a high-stakes event.
Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. approach this pressure with a clear, almost detached focus, aiming to treat it “like any other game.” Yet, the sentimentality of playing for a hometown team in the World Series is undeniable. Imagine the emotional weight: every swing, every throw, carries the hopes of millions. Coaches, however, remain grounded, emphasizing a solid game plan and flawless execution against formidable starters. This delicate balance between raw emotion and disciplined strategy often defines World Series moments.
The Pitching Duel: Glasnow vs. Scherzer
Game 3 featured a tantalizing pitching matchup: the Dodgers unleashed flamethrower Tyler Glasnow, while the Blue Jays countered with veteran Max Scherzer. These aces embody contrasting styles, each with a proven track record.
Tyler Glasnow: Power and Illusion
Tyler Glasnow, a towering 6’8″ right-hander, commands the mound with a devastating repertoire. He generates significant downhill plane, making his pitches appear to rise as they approach the plate. His power fastball, often hitting 98 mph, sets up a wicked curveball and slider. Moreover, his sinker also plays a crucial role, providing a different look. Glasnow entered Game 3 with an impressive 0.68 ERA in the postseason, a testament to his dominance. He showcased this in the first inning, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches, striking out George Springer with a blazing fastball. The Dodgers’ rotation relies heavily on this kind of dominant starting performance.
Max Scherzer: Veteran Grit and Experience
On the other side, Max “Mad Max” Scherzer brought his unparalleled World Series experience to the mound. This was his fifth World Series start, achieved with an astonishing four different teams. Such a feat places him in elite company, surpassing all but one position player, Lonnie Smith, who played in five World Series with five different teams. Scherzer’s reputation precedes him; he’s a fierce competitor. Despite his veteran status, he did surrender 19 home runs in his 17 regular season starts this year. This vulnerability became evident early in the game. Imagine the internal battle for a pitcher known for his competitive fire, knowing any mistake could prove costly.
Early Sparks and Controversial Moments
The game wasted no time delivering excitement and contention, highlighting the intense atmosphere of the World Series. From the initial pitches, both teams sought to establish dominance.
- Ohtani’s Automatic Double: Shohei Ohtani led off the bottom of the first with a sharply hit ball down the right-field line. It was fair, took one hop, and went over the fence for an automatic double. This immediately put him in scoring position against Scherzer.
- Teoscar Hernandez’s Redemption: After struggling in Game 2 with four strikeouts and going 0-for-7 in the series (a .148 average with 5 K’s), Teoscar Hernandez drilled a curveball to left field for a solo home run. This loud statement put the Dodgers on the board, 1-0. It was a stark turnaround, illustrating the unpredictable nature of postseason baseball.
- The Controversial Pick-Off: In the second inning, the Blue Jays had a promising rally forming. Bo Bichette, fresh off his second hit of the playoffs—a patented line drive to dead center—stood on first. Dalton Varsho was at the plate. On a 3-2 count, a pitch was clearly outside. Bichette began to trot off the base, assuming ball four. However, home plate umpire Mark Wegner did not make the call immediately. He flinched, then called it strike two. With the ball live, Bichette was caught off base and picked off, ending the scoring threat. Blue Jays manager John Schneider had every right to be “irate.” This moment underscored how crucial every single call is in a World Series matchup, even seemingly minor ones.
The Blue Jays Mount a Comeback
Despite the early setbacks and a controversial call, the Blue Jays refused to back down. They found their rhythm in the middle innings, turning the tide against the Dodgers’ pitching.
Kirk’s Game-Changing Blast
The top of the fourth inning saw the Blue Jays ignite their offense. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off with a walk, tossing his bat and signaling to the dugout, “Let’s go!” Then, a Tommy Edman miscue allowed Bo Bichette to reach base, putting runners on first and third with nobody out. Alejandro Kirk, who had knocked in Toronto’s only run in Game 2 with a sacrifice fly, stepped to the plate. He got a hanging curveball from Glasnow and crushed a 394-foot, three-run missile to left-center field. Kirk’s monumental swing gave the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead, completely changing the dynamic of Game 3. Imagine the roar of the crowd, contrasting sharply with the silence from the Dodgers’ dugout after that shot.
Relentless Pressure and Bullpen Struggles
The Blue Jays continued to apply pressure, demonstrating why their offense had been so effective throughout the postseason. Addison Barger smoked a line drive for a base hit, and Ernie Clement, having an elite postseason (tying Paul Molitor’s Blue Jays record with his 22nd hit in a single postseason), followed with a little looper that fell for a fair ball. This set up runners on the corners. Andres Gimenez then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Barger and extending Toronto’s lead to 4-2. This offensive outburst forced Dave Roberts to pull Glasnow, who had entered with a stellar postseason ERA but ultimately met his match against the relentless Blue Jays lineup. The Dodgers’ bullpen, now called into action early, faced an immediate test.
Dodgers Battle Back: Ohtani’s Historic Night
Just when the Blue Jays seemed to seize control, the Dodgers, fueled by their superstar Shohei Ohtani, mounted an incredible comeback. This World Series Game 3 was far from over.
Ohtani’s Unstoppable Presence
Shohei Ohtani proved to be a singular force throughout the game. After his lead-off double in the first, he struck again in the third, launching his seventh postseason home run to put the Dodgers up 2-0 initially. However, his most impactful moments came later. After the Blue Jays took a 4-2 lead, Ohtani stepped up in the fifth with a runner on first. He drilled a breaking ball to left-center for a ringing RBI double, pulling the Dodgers within one run at 4-3. Then, in the seventh, with the Blue Jays clinging to a 5-4 lead, the decision to pitch around him was debated. Despite the risk of putting the tying run on base, Ohtani is indeed a “unicorn,” capable of hitting a mis-hit ball deep. Sure enough, Ser Anthony Dominguez threw a center-cut fastball, and Ohtani blasted it, tying the game again at 5-5. This marked his fourth extra-base hit of the game, a feat only achieved by one other player in World Series history. Ohtani’s performance was nothing short of legendary, demonstrating why he is one of baseball’s most electrifying talents.
Managerial Chess Match and Bullpen Strain
Both managers, John Schneider and Dave Roberts, found themselves in a high-stakes chess match, constantly shuffling their bullpens. The strain on both relief corps became evident as the game progressed. Max Scherzer, despite his vast experience, was pulled after 4.1 innings, giving way to Mason FluHarty. FluHarty, a lefty, was tasked with handling the Dodgers’ big left-handed bats, Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Yet, Ohtani’s RBI double quickly ended FluHarty’s outing. For the Dodgers, Glasnow’s early exit forced Anthony Banda, then Roki Sasaki (the 23-year-old Japanese right-hander making his fifth relief appearance), and later Blake Treinen and Marcus Sheehan into action. Each pitching change reflected the desperate attempts to find the right matchup and stem the tide against relentless offenses.
Clutch Defense and Defining Moments
Amidst the offensive fireworks, defensive plays often become just as critical, especially in the tight confines of a World Series game. These moments can preserve leads or extinguish rallies, underscoring the completeness required from championship teams.
- Freeman’s Stolen Base and Barger’s Cannon: Freddie Freeman, a career .322 hitter with runners in scoring position (ranking third over the last 50 years behind Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew), recorded his first stolen base of the postseason in the third inning. However, his attempt to score on a single by Will Smith was thwarted by a magnificent throw from Addison Barger. Barger unleashed a “rope to the plate,” and Kirk applied the tag for the third out, ending the Dodgers’ threat. This play was so close that the Blue Jays even challenged it, though the call on the field stood.
- Sasaki’s Mound Magic: In the eighth inning, with runners on second and third, Roki Sasaki made a fantastic play. He fielded a sharply hit ground ball right back to the mound, turning and underhanding it to Freddie Freeman at first base to end the inning. His long limbs proved instrumental in steering the line drive and securing the out, keeping the game tied.
- Edman’s Game-Saving Relay: In the top of the ninth, after Nathan Lukes pulled a ball down the right-field line for a fair ball, the Blue Jays sent the runner from first all the way home. Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, and Will Smith executed a “perfect relay.” Edman’s throw to Smith at the plate was “on the money,” and Smith applied the tag for a crucial out at home. This incredible defensive play preserved the tie, preventing the Blue Jays from taking the lead.
The Blue Jays and Dodgers continued to exchange blows, demonstrating the resilience and skill expected at this level. The game became a true test of wills, highlighting how every decision, every pitch, and every play contributes to the unfolding drama of the World Series Game 3.
Post-Game Presser: Your Blue Jays vs. Dodgers Game 3 Q&A
What baseball game is this article describing?
This article describes the highlights from Game 3 of the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which took place on October 27, 2025.
Why was Game 3 considered a very important game in the series?
Game 3 was crucial because the series was tied 1-1, and historically, the team that wins Game 3 of the World Series often goes on to win the championship.
Who were the starting pitchers for Game 3?
The starting pitchers for this pivotal Game 3 were Tyler Glasnow for the Los Angeles Dodgers and veteran Max Scherzer for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Which players had significant moments during Game 3?
Shohei Ohtani had a historic night for the Dodgers with four extra-base hits, while Alejandro Kirk hit a game-changing three-run home run for the Blue Jays.