there have been other Game 7‘s in the World Series, and there have been other World Series to remember and replay across baseball history. But there has never been a better Game 7 than we got in Toronto on Saturday night and into Sunday morning. And there has never been a better World Series than this one.
But this one at the Rogers Center, after a World Series that already had Freddie freeman and Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero jr. and — oh incidentally — those 18 innings last Monday night that ended with Freeman’s home run had more of just about everything in the end. it finally did end with Yoshinobu Yamamato, a Series pitching star for all times now, finishing a Game 7 after starting and winning a Game 6 the way Randy Johnson did for the Diamondbacks in 2001. Johnson was something to see that night. I was lucky enough to be there in person to see that one. But he pitched 1 1/3 innings at the end of his Game 7.
Yoshinobu pitched 2 2/3 innings,getting out of an inherited jam in the bottom of the ninth and pitching all the way until Mookie Betts — one of the best all-around players we’ve ever seen,on a night when he’d win his fourth World Series — started the 6-6-3 double play to finish off the baseball season in such style.
So let’s just list some of the plays in a time-capsule night like this, in some kind of rough order:
- We had two likely future Hall of Famers as starting pitchers for Game 7, Ohtani and Max Scherzer. Ohtani was going on short rest. Scherzer, at 41, was going on memory. Still one of the unlikeliest matchups we might ever see.
- Bo Bichette, on one good leg, launched a three-run homer off Ohtani that seemed as if it might be the kind of swing that would win the World Series for the Blue Jays the way Joe Carter had 32 years ago.
- The benches even cleared in a game 7, when Justin Wrobleski hit Andres Munoz with a pitch.
## dodgers Win thrilling 7-Game World Series Against blue Jays
In a World Series for the ages, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in a nail-biting Game 7, securing their championship four games to three. The series was a rollercoaster of dramatic moments, improbable heroes, and defensive brilliance, culminating in a finish that will be discussed for years to come.
The decisive game was a back-and-forth affair.Dodgers outfielder Manuel Margot delivered a stunning blow in the top of the ninth, hitting a home run off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman to tie the game 4-4, joining the ranks of unlikely World Series heroes.
The Blue Jays threatened in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases before a tense play at first. A ground ball by Daulton Varsho forced a close play, with Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas stumbling before making a throw that barely beat isiah Kiner-Falefa. The call stood after a replay review, narrowly avoiding a potential game-ending overturned call.The drama continued in the ninth as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made a strategic move, sending Andy Pages to centre field.Shortly after, a hard-hit ball by ernie Clement required a collision between Pages and Kiké Hernández, with Pages ultimately securing the catch after running over Hernández.
The game remained tied until the top of the 11th inning. Dodgers catcher Will Smith, having already broken the record for moast innings caught in a World Series, launched a home run, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night.
The Blue Jays refused to concede. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off the bottom of the 11th with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, Dodgers third baseman Mookie Betts ended the game with a brilliant play, fielding a ground ball by Alejandro Kirk and throwing to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the final out.
the Dodgers’ victory followed a similar pattern to their Game 6 win, were they also prevailed on a game-ending double play after facing elimination.
This World Series will be remembered for its intensity, resilience, and the emergence of new stars. After a grueling postseason, baseball – and its fans – can finally rest.