When Blake Snell, the left‑handed ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers stepped onto the rubber at Rogers Centre on October 25, 2025, nobody expected his 0.86 ERA to evaporate in a single inning. The 2025 World SeriesRogers Centre had already delivered a thriller in the NLCS, but Game 1 would rewrite the script in favor of the hometown crowd.

Game Overview: A Night of Fireworks

The Blue Jays, managed by John Schneider, pounced early. After a quiet first inning for the Dodgers, Toronto loaded the bases with two walks and a single, forcing Snell into a 29‑pitch scramble. The first real strike came from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who drew a two‑out walk before Bo Bichette added a single and Alejandro Kirk walked again, setting the stage for a historic sixth.

Key Moments and Records

• World Series record: The six‑run sixth inning became the largest single‑inning rally by a team trailing at the start of the frame.
• Addison Barger’s pinch‑hit grand slam marked the first in World Series history.
• Dodgers’ only other late‑game run came from Shohei Ohtani’s two‑run blast, a consolation when the game was already out of reach.

Pitching Duel and Snell's Struggles

Snell’s fastball, typically touching 99 mph, looked sharp through the first two innings, but command slipped after he surrendered a leadoff single in the third. A highlight‑reel defensive play—throwing from first to third for a tag—couldn’t mask the growing tension. By the fifth inning he’d logged 87 pitches, allowing six hits, five earned runs, four walks and striking out five. The Dodgers’ bullpen watched as the lead evaporated, and Dave Roberts, the team’s 52‑year‑old manager, finally pulled Snell after a bases‑loaded, no‑out sixth.

Reactions from Managers and Players

Roberts was gracious in his post‑game interview: “You’ve got to give those guys credit. They certainly fought,” he said, adding, “We’ll have to get ready for tomorrow against another tough pitcher.” Schneider, meanwhile, praised his lineup’s patience: “We didn’t chase the first pitch. We waited for our moments, and they paid off.”

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, who followed Barger’s grand slam with a two‑run homer, summed up the night: “It felt like the whole stadium was breathing with us. That’s the kind of energy you want in a World Series.”

Implications for the Series

Toronto now holds a 1‑0 edge and a massive morale boost. The Dodgers entered the postseason with a 7‑1 record and boasted the league’s deepest rotation—Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow still await their turn. Yet, losing the opening game at home puts pressure on Los Angeles to respond quickly. If Snell returns for Game 2, he’ll need to adjust his approach; otherwise, Roberts may lean on Yamamoto, whose 2.02 ERA in the NLCS suggests he can handle high‑stakes pressure.

The six‑run outburst also highlighted the Blue Jays’ depth. Barger, a 24‑year‑old utility player, didn’t just deliver a historic grand slam—he announced himself as a clutch performer. That kind of bench strength could be a decisive factor in a seven‑game series.

What’s Next?

Game 2 is slated for October 26, 2025, at the same venue. All eyes will be on whether the Dodgers can stem the tide and if Snell can rebound. Meanwhile, Toronto’s offense will aim to keep the pressure on, knowing that a single big inning can swing momentum in baseball’s most iconic showdown.