Dodgers vs Blue Jays: The 2025 World Series Marathon (Expert Analysis, Records & Stats)
The 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays is already one for the history books, featuring a marathon Game 3 that has rewritten MLB records. Here's a full breakdown of the series, the stats, and the expert analysis.
World Series 2025: At a Glance
- Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (NL, defending champions) vs Toronto Blue Jays (AL)
- Series Lead: Dodgers lead 2-1 after Game 3
- Historical Significance: First postseason meeting between these franchises, Dodgers’ 23rd overall appearance, Blue Jays’ first since their 1993 title
- Notable Player Performances: Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Brendon Little, Will Klein
Quick Stats:
| Team | 2025 WS Games Won | Franchise WS Titles | Last WS Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | TBD (Lead 2-1) | 8 | 2024 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | TBD | 2 | 1993 |
Dodgers vs Blue Jays Game 3: The Epic Showdown
Game 3 of the 2025 World Series instantly earned immortality in baseball lore, ranking tied as the longest game by innings in World Series history. Here’s how the marathon unfolded:
- Final Score: Dodgers 6 – Blue Jays 5 (18 innings, 6 hrs 39 min)
- Decisive Moment: Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run off Brendon Little in the bottom of the 18th inning.
- Historical Records: Tied with the 2018 Game 3 (Dodgers vs Red Sox) for most innings (18); duration (6 hrs 39 min) is the second-longest by time.
Lead Changes & Drama:
- Shohei Ohtani powered the Dodgers with two home runs, while Alejandro Kirk delivered clutch hits for Toronto.
- Both teams exhausted their entire bullpens, with Dodgers’ Will Klein throwing a season-high 72 pitches for the win.
Notable Fact: This marks the second walk-off home run in the World Series for Freeman, who also hit the first game-ending grand slam in Series history in 2024.
Longest World Series and MLB Games
Longest World Series Games (Innings)
| Year | Teams | Innings | Result | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dodgers vs Blue Jays | 18 | Dodgers 6-5 (Freeman HR) | 6h 39m[4][3][7] |
| 2018 | Dodgers vs Red Sox | 18 | Dodgers 3-2 (Muncy HR) | 7h 20m[5][7] |
| 2005 | White Sox vs Astros (Game 3) | 14 | White Sox 7-5 | 5h 41m |
Longest MLB Games Ever (Regular Season)
- 1984: White Sox vs Brewers – 25 innings, 8 hours 6 minutes.
2025 World Series Key Players and Stats
Dodgers
- Freddie Freeman: Walk-off HR, World Series hero, exceptional defensive play
- Shohei Ohtani: 2 HRs in Game 3, leads postseason HR tally.
- Will Klein: 4 shutout innings in relief, 72 pitches for the win.
Blue Jays
- Alejandro Kirk: Key home run and offensive spark in Game 3.
- Brendon Little: Pitched into 18th before giving up a walk-off.
By the Numbers
| Player | HRs (WS) | RBI (WS) | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freddie Freeman | 2 | 5 | Walk-off HR (G3) |
| Shohei Ohtani | 4 | 9 | 2 HRs (G3) |
| Alejandro Kirk | 1 | 3 | 3-run HR (G3) |
Expert Insights & Quotable Reactions
“Baseball is all about resilience and patience. Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 3 turned fans into witnesses of pure baseball history.”
— Jeff Passan, ESPN
"Watching Freeman notch a second walk-off in two years is the stuff of legends.”
— Anonymous MLB Scout
"When both bullpens are empty and it’s up to a bench bat, that’s when the magic happens in October."
— Dodgers Insider, after G3
“It’s not just the longest games that are memorable, it’s the stories players tell years later about what pushed them to their limits.”
— MLB Historian, quoted in 2025 coverage
“Will Klein’s 72-pitch relief was one of the most gutsy postseason stints in recent memory.”
— Stat Guru, CBS Sports
"This series is a showcase of baseball’s appeal worldwide, with Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Bichette in starring roles."
— Global Baseball Reporter, Sportsnet
Comprehensive Player Stats: Game 3 Breakdown
| Team | Runs | Hits | Errors | HRs | Walks | Key Pitchers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Dodgers | 6 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 5 | Klein, Glasnow |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 5 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Little, Romano |
- Dodgers HRs: Ohtani (2), Freeman (1)
- Blue Jays HRs: Kirk (1), Springer (1)
Check full play-by-play and box scores on ESPN or CBS Sports.
Walk-Off Home Runs and Defining MLB Moments
What is a Walk-Off Home Run?
A walk-off home run ends the game instantly, hit by the home team in the bottom of the final inning—no further play occurs, and the teams “walk off” the field.
Historic Walk-Offs
- Freeman’s 2025 Game 3 HR echoes the Max Muncy HR in 2018, both Dodgers, both in the 18th.
- Walk-offs are among the most dramatic moments in sports, forever etched in baseball folklore.
Related Topics & Internal Links
- [Longest MLB Games Ever Played]
- [Previous Dodgers World Series Wins]
- [Freddie Freeman Career Highlights]
- [Shohei Ohtani World Series Performance]
- [Blue Jays MLB Postseason Records]
- [Difference Between Walk-Offs and Regular HRs]
MLB World Series FAQs
1. How many games are in the World Series?
Best-of-7 format; first team to 4 wins takes the title.
2. What were the longest games in World Series history?
2025 Game 3 (Dodgers vs Blue Jays): 18 innings, 6h 39m. 2018 Game 3 (Dodgers vs Red Sox): 18 innings, 7h 20m.
3. Who won Game 3 in 2025?
Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-5, on a Freddie Freeman walk-off in the 18th inning.
4. What is the definition of a walk-off home run?
A home run hit in the bottom of the last inning that instantly wins the game for the home team.
5. Who leads the World Series?
Dodgers lead 2-1 after 3 games.
6. When are the next games?
Game 4 and 5 are scheduled at Dodger Stadium, 8:00 PM ET.
7. Where can you watch the World Series?
FOX Sports (USA), Sportsnet+ (Canada), official MLB streams.
