Shane Bieber is running it back with the Toronto Blue Jays.  The former Cy Young winner exercised...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9542" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9542">Shane Bieber</a> is running it back with the Toronto Blue Jays.</p><p>The former Cy Young winner exercised his $16-million player option and will return to the American League champions in 2026. Bieber chose to take the guaranteed salary from Toronto over a $4-million buyout.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WELCOME BACK, BIEBS!<br><br>OFFICIAL: RHP Shane Bieber has exercised his player option for the 2026 season. <a href="https://t.co/p9DEFD1InE">pic.twitter.com/p9DEFD1InE</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1986087447197827167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Toronto acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians at this year's trade deadline for pitching prospect Khal Stephen. Bieber had re-signed with Cleveland on a two-year, $26-million deal last December, and was dealt away while in the midst of his rehab.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bieber ended up making seven regular-season starts for the Blue Jays down the stretch, posting a 3.57 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. He then won two games and struck out 18 over 18 2/3 innings in the playoffs, while not allowing more than two earned runs in any of his four postseason starts.</p><p>Despite pitching just 52 1/3 total innings over the last two seasons because of his elbow injury, the 30-year-old was expected to be one of the most sought-after pitchers in this year's free-agent class. Instead, he'll spend 2026 as a key member of Toronto's rotation and presumably test the market next winter. </p><p>Bieber could still negotiate an extension with the Blue Jays, although a long-term deal is not close at this time, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6777025/2025/11/04/shane-bieber-blue-jays-player-option/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mlbtw&amp;source=mlbtw">Mitch Bannon of The Athletic</a>.</p><p>Bieber owns a lifetime 66-34 record with a 3.24 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 995 strikeouts across 143 big-league appearances since 2018. A two-time All-Star, he won the AL Cy Young with Cleveland during the abbreviated 2020 campaign and a Gold Glove in 2022.</p><p>The Blue Jays now enter 2026 with Bieber, Kevin Gausman, and rookie sensation Trey Yesavage headlining their rotation. José Berríos, who missed the postseason due to an elbow injury following a disappointing 2025 campaign, is also likely to return as a back-end starter. Barring any other offseason additions, Eric Lauer and Bowden Francis are also likely to compete for starting spots in spring training.</p><p>Two members of Toronto's 2025 rotation, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, became free agents following the World Series.</p><p>The Blue Jays won an AL-best 94 games this past season en route to their first division title since 2015 and first pennant in 32 years.</p>

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 01: Shane Bieber #57 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Bieber exercises $16M option to remain with Blue Jays

The Kansas City Royals signed catcher and team captain Salvador Perez to a two-year contract exte...

<p>The Kansas City Royals signed catcher and team captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2082" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2082">Salvador Perez</a> to a two-year contract extension, they announced Tuesday.</p><p>The extension is worth $25 million, and includes some deferrals, a source told <a href="https://x.com/anne__rogers/status/1985880021206974707">Anne Rogers of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>The new deal supersedes the $13.5-million club option for 2026 that the Royals held as part of Perez's previous $82-million extension signed in 2021. They had until Thursday to exercise that option.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Instead, Kansas City locked up the longtime face of its franchise through his age-37 season, all but assuring he'll finish his career in a Royals uniform.</p><p>"Salvy is a Royals legend and one of the most important players this franchise has ever had," general manager J.J. Picollo said, per <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3388214" href="https://thescore.com/news/3388214">The Associated Press</a>. "We had the option for next year, but everyone knew we wanted to make sure his legacy with us continued longer than that. We appreciate Salvy's commitment to the Royals, and we're just as excited as our fans."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s go!! 💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/SalvadorPerez15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SalvadorPerez15</a> <a href="https://t.co/LRqCK0Bsio">https://t.co/LRqCK0Bsio</a></p>— Bobby Witt Jr (@BwittJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/BwittJr/status/1985886487498326428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Perez is coming off another solid offensive season that saw him hit .236/.284/.446 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs over 155 games. He didn't commit an error in 92 games behind the plate, but continued to ease his workload by playing 30-plus games at designated hitter and first base.</p><p>There's a chance that Perez could begin shifting into a primary DH role during this contract. He'll also be able to mentor young catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16008" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16008">Carter Jensen</a>, the Royals' top prospect who made his big-league debut in September.</p><p>Over his 14 seasons in Kansas City, Perez has slashed .264/.301/.457 with 1,712 hits, 303 home runs, and 1,016 RBIs. He was the face of the franchise during their resurgence in the mid-2010s, and won World Series MVP in 2015 after leading the Royals to their first title in 30 years. The nine-time All-Star has also won five Silver Sluggers, five Gold Gloves, and the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable and community work.</p><p>Perez ranks top-10 in Royals history in nearly every statistical category, and enters 2026 needing just 15 homers to break George Brett's franchise record. He was named team captain before the 2023 season.</p>

SACRAMENTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals runs to first base during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Sunday, September 28, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

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Royals' Perez inks 2-year extension reportedly worth $25M

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty exercised his player option and will remain with the te...

<p>Detroit Tigers right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5646" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5646">Jack Flaherty</a> exercised his player option and will remain with the team in 2026.</p><p>Flaherty will earn a $20-million salary in the final year of his contract.</p><p>The 30-year-old originally joined the Tigers on a one-year contract in 2024, and was then dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers at that year's deadline. After helping L.A. win the 2024 World Series he returned to the Tigers on a new two-year deal.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Flaherty's 2025 season didn't go as expected, as he put up a 4.64 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP along with a 3.3 BB/9 rate and an AL-high 15 losses over 161 innings. However, he did post a 10.5 K/9 rate, while his 188 strikeouts ranked ninth in the AL.</p><p>Flaherty finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, but has struggled to rediscover that form in the ensuing years. He put up a 3.17 ERA along with 194 strikeouts over 28 total starts in 2024 with Detroit and Los Angeles, but struggled to a 7.36 ERA and 1.50 WHIP during the Dodgers' 2024 World Series run.</p>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 08: Jack Flaherty #9 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the top of the first inning at Comerica Park on June 08, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Flaherty remains with Tigers after exercising $20M option

The Colorado Rockies' search for a new head of baseball operations has taken a fascinating twist....

<p>The Colorado Rockies' search for a new head of baseball operations has taken a fascinating twist.</p><p>The Rockies' two finalists for the vacant position - Arizona Diamondbacks assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye and Cleveland Guardians assistant GM Matt Forman - have now been eliminated from consideration, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6774079/2025/11/03/rockies-reopen-gm-search-sawdaye-forman/">Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic</a>.</p><p>At the same time, a surprising candidate emerged in former Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino, who's spoken with owner Dick Monfort about the job, a source told <a href="https://x.com/timbhealey/status/1985423031028617512">Newsday's Tim Healey</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Though Ottavino's discussions with Monfort were apparently "informal," the sides have remained in touch, <a href="https://x.com/psaundersdp/status/1985451898443612197">Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post</a> and <a href="https://x.com/Joelsherman1/status/1985451896098771369">Joel Sherman of the New York Post</a> report.</p><p>Ottavino, who will turn 40 later this month, pitched three games for the New York Yankees in April before being released, and though he never officially announced his retirement, he was not picked up by another team. He spent seven of his 15 big-league seasons with the Rockies and ranks fourth in franchise history in appearances (361).</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Running a baseball ops dept or managing has been a goal of Ottavino. Among the reasons he played Winter Ball in the D.R. after the 2024 season was prep for post career -- to improve his Spanish skills and better understand such a vital feeder system to MLB. <a href="https://t.co/oWUZqsMIJA">https://t.co/oWUZqsMIJA</a></p>— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/1985453022068277396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Former Rockies GM Bill Schmidt stepped down after the team he built went 43-119 in 2025, while posting the worst run differential (minus-424) by any team since 1899. The Rockies haven't finished with a winning record since 2018 - which coincidentally was Ottavino's last season pitching for the franchise.</p><p>Monfort, the Rockies' primary owner since 2011, pledged that Schmidt's successor would be someone from outside the organization. If he lives up to his word, it will mark the first time since 1999 that an outsider heads up Colorado's baseball operations, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/bill-schmidt-steps-down-as-rockies-gm">Thomas Harding of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>Ottavino would technically be an outside candidate since he left Colorado as a free agent in 2019. However, his Rockies tenure overlapped entirely with that of Schmidt's, who was the team's vice-president of scouting when they acquired him as a waiver claim in 2012.</p><p>The now-failed candidacies of Sawdaye and Forman, meanwhile, remain a mystery. Both executives flew to Denver for in-person interviews within the last two weeks, Ghiroli reports, but it's unclear how close either of them got to being offered the job. It's not known if there are any other candidates being considered.</p><p>MLB's general managers' meetings are scheduled to begin on Nov. 11 in Las Vegas.</p>

DENVER, CO - JUNE 19: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies walks back to the dugout during a game against the New York Mets at Coors Field on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Denver, Colorado.

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Report: Rockies talked to Ottavino about GM job, 2 finalists now out

The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the finalists for Major League Baseball's m...

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BBWAA announces finalists for MLB's major awards

The Atlanta Braves stayed in-house to find their next skipper.  The Braves announced Monday that ...

<p>The Atlanta Braves stayed in-house to find their next skipper.</p><p>The Braves announced Monday that they promoted longtime bench coach Walt Weiss to manager, succeeding the retiring Brian Snitker.</p><p>Weiss spent the last eight seasons on Atlanta's staff as Snitker's bench coach and right-hand man, helping guide the Braves to seven playoff berths, six division titles, and the 2021 World Series title.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 61-year-old previously managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013-16, posting a 283-365 record over that span. He also played 14 campaigns in the majors, including three years in Atlanta from 1998-2000.</p><p>Weiss inherits a Braves squad that took a step back in 2025 and placed fourth in the NL East. Atlanta finished with a losing record for the first time since 2017. However, a slew of injuries affected the Braves' core players this past campaign, and the club was without free-agent addition Jurickson Profar for half the season after he received a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.</p><p>The Braves are expected to keep most of their core intact in 2026, with former NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., first baseman Matt Olson, and star pitchers Chris Sale and Spencer Strider expected to return.</p>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 19: Walt Weiss #4 of the Atlanta Braves looks on against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Braves promote bench coach Walt Weiss to manager

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is officially on the market.  Woodruff became a f...

<p>Milwaukee Brewers right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8683" href="/mlb/players/8683">Brandon Woodruff</a> is officially on the market.</p><p>Woodruff became a free agent Monday after declining his half of a $20-million mutual option, the Brewers announced. He'll instead receive a $10-million buyout from the team, which will be paid Jan. 15 and July 15 in equal installments, according to <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/national-league-central/milwaukee-brewers/">Cot's Contracts</a>.</p><p>Woodruff should be a sought-after starter in free agency following his solid comeback season in 2025. After missing all of 2024 while recovering from shoulder surgery, he returned to post a 3.20 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 0.91 WHIP along with a career-best 11.6 K/9 rate across 12 starts for the 97-win Brewers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>However, the 32-year-old's injury woes resurfaced late in the year when he suffered a season-ending lat strain. The injury forced him to miss Milwaukee's playoff run, which included the Brewers reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2018. Woodruff's made just 23 starts over the last three seasons because of injuries.</p><p>Woodruff owns a lifetime 53-28 record with a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 871 strikeouts across 745 big-league innings, all of them in a Brewers uniform. The Mississippi native is a two-time All-Star and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting in 2021.</p><p>On Monday, Milwaukee exercised its $8-million club option on ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9771" href="/mlb/players/9771">Freddy Peralta</a>, who won an NL-best 17 games in 2025. Catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5445" href="/mlb/players/5445">Danny Jansen</a>, meanwhile, saw the team decline its half of a $12-million mutual option in favor of paying him a $500K buyout.</p><p>The Brewers also added right-hander Coleman Crow, ranked as the club's No. 25 prospect by <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/brewers">MLB.com</a>, to the 40-man roster.</p><p> </p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 19: Brandon Woodruff #53 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Brewers' Woodruff declines $20M mutual option, becomes free agent

Game 7 of the 2025 World Series was an instant classic that captivated the entire sports world. T...

<p>Game 7 of the 2025 World Series was an instant classic that captivated the entire sports world. There's no doubt that it will live on for decades to come.</p><p>So, where exactly does it rank all time? Of the 41 winner-take-all World Series games, 16 have been decided by one run, and six needed extras to determine a champion. There's no doubt that the Dodgers and Blue Jays are now in the top 10, so let's open the vault to find its proper place in Game 7 lore.</p><p><strong>10. 1912: Boston Red Sox 3, New York Giants 2 (10 innings)</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The first winner-take-all World Series contest to require extras was actually Game 8, as Game 2 ended in a tie due to darkness. The Giants led 1-0 early, but Boston tied it in the seventh. New York took the lead back in the top of the 10th when Fred Merkle ripped an RBI single off Red Sox ace Smoky Joe Wood. But in the bottom half, Giants center fielder Fred Snodgrass dropped Clyde Engle's routine fly ball - an error dubbed the "$30,000 muff" by the papers - and Boston made New York pay. Tris Speaker's single scored Engle to tie it, and after an intentional walk to load the bases, Larry Gardner plated the series-winning run with a walk-off sacrifice fly. There's no video of this game, but it's easy to imagine how tense it must have felt at Fenway Park.</p><p><strong>9. 1962: New York Yankees 1, San Francisco Giants 0</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/richardson-robs-mccovey-c13062809?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share" width="560" height="315"></iframe></figure><p>(Video source: MLB.com)</p><p>In a dazzling pitcher's duel, the Yankees' Ralph Terry threw a four-hit shutout to narrowly outpitch Jack Sanford at Candlestick Park. New York's seven hits were all singles, and its only run came on a 6-4-3 double play. In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants' Matty Alou hit a leadoff single, and Willie Mays ripped a two-out double, but Alou had to stop at third after a great relay from right field. Willie McCovey then scorched a line drive directly into second baseman Bobby Richardson's glove to end the series. It's one of only two World Series games to end 1-0 with the tying and winning runs on second and third and two out. The win gave the Yankees back-to-back titles, while San Francisco's loss was so crushing that even <a href="https://www.dailycartoonist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/willie-and-charlie.jpg">Charlie Brown was reduced to tears</a>.</p><p><strong>8. 1926: St. Louis Cardinals 3, New York Yankees 2</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/212832/cropped_GettyImages-51165554.jpg?ts=1762106385" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/212832/w220xh124_GettyImages-51165554.jpg?ts=1762106385 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/212832/w320xh180_GettyImages-51165554.jpg?ts=1762106385 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/212832/w640xh360_GettyImages-51165554.jpg?ts=1762106385 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/212832/w768xh432_GettyImages-51165554.jpg?ts=1762106385 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/212832/w1080xh607_GettyImages-51165554.jpg?ts=1762106385 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">New York Times Co. / Archive Photos / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The underdog Cardinals jumped ahead of Babe Ruth's Yankees with a three-run fourth at Yankee Stadium. But in the bottom of the seventh, they clung to a 3-2 lead as New York loaded the bases with two out for future Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri. That's when Cardinals player-manager Rogers Hornsby summoned another future Hall of Famer in veteran righty Grover Cleveland Alexander - who won Game 6 with a 108-pitch complete game and then supposedly showed up to Game 7 hungover - to put out the fire. Lazzeri nearly crushed a grand slam, pulling a deep fly ball two feet foul. Alexander's next pitch was a curveball that got Lazzeri to whiff, ending the threat. New York mounted one last rally against Alexander in the ninth when Ruth worked a two-out walk. Moments later, Ruth inexplicably tried to steal second and was thrown out easily to give St. Louis a stunning championship.</p><p><strong>7. 1997: Florida Marlins 3, Cleveland Indians 2 (11 innings)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Io5W-X76HT8?si=PpNFEmn5gSmxdIFk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Cleveland held a 2-0 lead after six innings and took a 2-1 advantage into the ninth. But the Marlins pounced on Indians closer Jose Mesa, who blew the save by allowing two singles and a game-tying sacrifice fly to force extras. In the bottom of the 11th, Charles Nagy induced what should've been an inning-ending double play, but second baseman Tony Fernandez booted the ground ball to keep the inning going. Three batters later, Edgar Renteria ripped the series-winning single off Nagy's glove to secure the five-year-old Marlins' first title and add another entry to Cleveland's list of sports heartbreaks.</p><p><strong>6. 1924: Washington Senators 4, New York Giants 3 (12 innings)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ar9qiJnUlow?si=AOBlIZDo55ehec_M" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>The longest winner-take-all game in World Series history was an absolute nail-biter. John McGraw's Giants scored three off Washington relief ace Firpo Marberry in the sixth to grab a 3-1 lead. The Senators roared back to tie it in the eighth on shortstop-manager Bucky Harris' two-run single, which purportedly hit a pebble and bounced over the glove of Giants third baseman Freddie Lindstrom. Moments later, Harris turned to the legendary Walter Johnson, who pitched four shutout innings of relief on one day's rest to maintain the tie. In the bottom of the 12th, Giants catcher Hank Gowdy tripped over his mask and dropped Muddy Ruel's foul pop-up. Given new life, Ruel doubled and then scored the series-winning run on Earl McNeely's walk-off double. Amazingly, footage of this classic game was rediscovered in 2014.</p><p><strong>5. 2001: Arizona Diamondbacks 3, New York Yankees 2</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A0pPytgktAQ?si=Saci9scrWGnW3nK4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>This Game 7 ended a gripping World Series played against the backdrop of the 9/11 tragedy. The decisive contest, which featured a titanic pitching matchup between Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling, was tied 1-1 in the eighth when the Yankees' Alfonso Soriano tagged Schilling for a go-ahead homer. New York could've scored more runs if not for Randy Johnson - who started and won Game 6 - coming out of the bullpen to end the rally. Johnson got four outs on zero days' rest to give Arizona a chance in the bottom of the ninth against Mariano Rivera, and for once, the greatest closer ever crumbled. After a leadoff single, Rivera threw a sacrifice bunt into center field, allowed Tony Womack's game-tying double, and hit Craig Counsell to load the bases. Luis Gonzalez then plated the series-winning run to deny the Yankees a four-peat.</p><p><strong>4. 2016: Chicago Cubs 8, Cleveland Indians 7 (10 innings)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fdtu2pAn-HM?si=O3RfwS6oX5hhKjEd" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>The Cubs were trying to end a 108-year title drought. The Indians wanted their first championship in 68 years. This game was meant to be unforgettable. Chicago led by three in the eighth and seemed to be cruising until Aroldis Chapman allowed a Brandon Guyer RBI double and a shocking game-tying homer to light-hitting Rajai Davis, sending Progressive Field into a frenzy. Extras were needed, but not before a 17-minute rain delay halted the game and re-energized the Cubs, who scored two in the top of the 10th. Cleveland scored one more run in the bottom half but wouldn't get any closer. Kris Bryant slipped as he threw Michael Martinez's ground ball to first base, but the ball settled into Anthony Rizzo's glove, ending the Cubs' curse.</p><p><strong>3. 1991: Minnesota Twins 1, Atlanta Braves 0 (10 innings)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQolx1l5U5Q?si=4H6QEkuuX9aD2s5Q" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>This remains the ultimate pitchers' duel: two Hall of Famers putting zeroes on the board until someone broke to end a dramatic Fall Classic. Jack Morris refused to give up the baseball, throwing 10 shutout innings to shut down a powerful Atlanta offense. John Smoltz countered with 7 1/3 shutout innings before yielding to Mike Stanton and Alejandro Pena. In the bottom of the 10th, Minnesota finally broke through as pinch hitter Gene Larkin delivered a bases-loaded walk-off single to secure a 1-0 win for the Twins. Rarely is a 1-0 game this compelling.</p><p><strong>2. 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Toronto Blue Jays 4 (11 innings)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DBqp0q8Jn2Q?si=CtjJE8HKKgZmFIvE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>This isn't recency bias. This was simply the greatest baseball game many of us will ever see. Shohei Ohtani versus Max Scherzer. Bo Bichette making Rogers Centre shake. The benches clearing. Toronto being two outs away from glory only for Miguel Rojas - Miguel Rojas! - to save the Dodgers with a homer. The Blue Jays nearly walking off in the bottom of the ninth twice, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa being called out by a toenail on a force play at home and then Andy Pages somehow catching Ernie Clement's deep fly ball while colliding with a teammate. Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief one day after his 96-pitch Game 6 win. Will Smith's go-ahead homer in the 11th. And Toronto putting the winning run on first in the bottom half only to fall just short again. One of the greatest World Series ever contested deserved this finale. Thank you, Dodgers and Blue Jays.</p><p><strong>1. 1960: Pittsburgh Pirates 10, New York Yankees 9</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/65Og0gUKfvc?si=2lTzNybtHGr6mDkf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>On Oct. 13, 1960, at Forbes Field, the dynastic Yankees and underdog Pirates played a heart-stopping baseball game that saw both teams mount multiple late-inning comebacks. Hal Smith's pinch-hit grand slam gave Pittsburgh a 9-7 lead in the eighth, but New York tied it in the top of the ninth on Mickey Mantle's single and Yogi Berra's groundout. Then, Bill Mazeroski hit the World Series-winning walk-off homer to lead off the bottom of the ninth. If Saturday night's insanity couldn't top <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TregDtArakM">this game</a> (and it came damn close), then no two teams ever will.</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 02: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after stepping on first base to force out Alejandro Kirk #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays to win game seven of the 2025 World Series 5-4 at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Ranking Jays-Dodgers among the greatest World Series Game 7s

The Toronto Blue Jays had a World Series championship in their grasp. Then Jeff Hoffman threw a s...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays had a World Series championship in their grasp. Then <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4786" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4786">Jeff Hoffman</a> threw a slider to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2083" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2083">Miguel Rojas</a> that will likely haunt him forever.</p><p>Rojas, the Los Angeles Dodgers' light-hitting shortstop, ripped a solo home run in the top of the ninth off Hoffman to tie Game 7 at 4-4 and silence Rogers Centre. Two innings later, it was the visiting Dodgers who were celebrating a second consecutive championship.</p><p>"I cost everybody in here a World Series ring, it feels pretty shitty," Hoffman <a href="https://x.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1984864224825258414">told reporters</a> after the Blue Jays' crushing 5-4 loss. "You got to execute better in that spot and not let that (home run) happen."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Hoffman had issues with home runs in the regular season, but got that problem under control in a big way during the playoffs. He finished the postseason with a 1.46 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 18 strikeouts, and two saves over 10 appearances, while allowing just one homer - to Rojas on Saturday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MIGUEL ROJAS WITH THE BIGGEST SWING OF HIS LIFE 💥<br><br>GAME 7 IS TIED IN TORONTO <a href="https://t.co/tDwUGzBrVq">pic.twitter.com/tDwUGzBrVq</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1984821797171445784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9542" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9542">Shane Bieber</a> eventually gave up the series-winning homer to Will Smith in the top of the 11th.</p><p>Although Hoffman was inconsolable following the loss, his teammates were quick to stand by the closer.</p><p>"I'd go to war with Jeff Hoffman every day of the week," third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10877" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10877">Ernie Clement</a> - whose ninth-inning fly ball nearly won the World Series for Toronto before a remarkable catch by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12702" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12702">Andy Pages</a> - said, per <a href="https://x.com/TSN_Sports/status/1984858508446027778">TSN</a>. </p><p>"I want him on the mound. I want (Bieber) on the mound. Those are guys who I would take a bullet for, and 99 times out of 100 they get the job done. ... I feel for those guys so much."</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 01: Jeff Hoffman #23 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks to the dugout following the top of the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 01, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Jays' Hoffman shoulders blame for crushing loss: 'It feels pretty shitty'

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto won the 2025 Willie Mays World Series MVP followin...

<p>Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a> won the 2025 Willie Mays World Series MVP following his legendary Game 7 performance Saturday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">M-V-P<br><br>Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> Most Valuable Player! <a href="https://t.co/1YeqdfoSdl">pic.twitter.com/1YeqdfoSdl</a></p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984847669928607874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Yamamoto threw 96 pitches in the Dodgers' Game 6 win Friday, then returned to throw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to win the epic 11-inning clincher. He earned the victory in both contests.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pitched in postseason game after going 6+ innings day prior: <br> <br>Yoshinobu Yamamoto WS 2025 G6-7<br>Randy Johnson WS 2001 G6-7<br>Orel Hershiser NLCS 1988 G3-4<br>Vic Raschi WS 1952 G6-7 <br>Max Lanier WS 1943 G4-5<br>Schoolboy Rowe WS 1934 G6-7<br>Lefty Grove WS 1930 G4-5<br>Grover Alexander WS 1926…</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1984834431891247221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Yamamoto went 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, two walks, and one complete game in 17 2/3 innings during the seven-game series. His nine-inning effort in Game 2 was the first World Series complete game in 10 years, and just the sixth this century.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called Yamamoto the "GOAT" multiple times while being interviewed moments before the team hoisted the trophy.</p><p>Yamamoto's the first pitcher to win three games in one World Series since the D-Backs' Randy Johnson in 2001, and the first to earn all three wins on the road, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1984843128809935357">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>He also joined Johnson, Harry Brecheen of the 1946 Cardinals, and Ray Kremer of the 1925 Pirates to win Games 6 and 7 of the World Series, per Langs. Yamamoto is the only one of those four to earn the win in Games 6 and 7 on the road.</p><p>Yamamoto is the 11th Dodgers player to win World Series MVP, and the fifth Dodgers pitcher to earn it, joining Johnny Podres (1955), Larry Sherry (1959), Sandy Koufax (1963 and '65), and Orel Hershiser (1988). He's the first pitcher to win it since the Nationals' Stephen Strasburg in 2019.</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 02: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers raises the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Dodgers' Yamamoto wins World Series MVP

theScore provides analysis and insights from Game 7 of the World Series. We break down everything...

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Relive Dodgers' wild comeback win in Game 7 of World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani to start Game 7 of the World Serie...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to three-time MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> to start Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.</p><p>Ohtani last pitched in Game 4 on Tuesday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over six innings as the starter. He threw 93 pitches in the loss.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> Dave Roberts said he’s “not sure” how long Shohei Ohtani will pitch. “I want to withhold expectations and kind of read and react”</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1984737865033474507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Saturday was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4257" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4257">Tyler Glasnow</a>'s expected day to pitch. However, the flamethrowing right-hander acted as the Game 6 closer after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19077">Roki Sasaki</a> allowed the first two batters of the ninth to reach base in his second inning of work. Glasnow required only three pitches to earn the save and he's expected to be available for multiple innings during Game 7.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Manager Dave Roberts added that Game 6 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a> made himself available for Saturday's game on zero days' rest, according to <a href="https://x.com/BillShaikin/status/1984738030456803709">Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times</a>. Yamamoto, who threw 96 pitches on Friday, was seen warming up in the Rogers Centre outfield pregame Saturday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said last night that Yoshinobu Yamamoto wouldn’t be available today, but … <a href="https://t.co/uJvxqtmlLD">pic.twitter.com/uJvxqtmlLD</a></p>— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) <a href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/1984731513431474186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Ohtani has only pitched on short rest once before in his MLB career. The appearance came in 2023 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels after an abbreviated outing due to a rain delay. He wound up throwing seven shutout innings against the Kansas City Royals, racking up 11 strikeouts, in his next game.</p><p>The Blue Jays will counter with future Hall of Famer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a>. Scherzer started Game 3 opposite Glasnow, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 4 1/3 innings. This will be the second time in Scherzer's storied career that he starts a World Series Game 7. Scherzer is the fourth pitcher to make multiple World Series Game 7 starts, joining Bob Gibson (1964, '67, '68), Don Larsen (1957, '58), and Lew Burdette (1957, '58).</p><p>Jays manager John Schneider stated that Game 5 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a> "will definitely be a part of Game 7," according to <a href="https://x.com/Brandon_N_Wile/status/1984679814674915598">theScore's Brandon Wile</a>. He added that staff ace <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3634">Kevin Gausman</a> "kind of emptied the tank" during Friday night's Game 6.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after pitching during Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Ohtani starts World Series Game 7 on 3 days' rest

The Los Angeles Dodgers made it to Game 7 of the World Series. Who will pitch for them in the fir...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers made it to Game 7 of the World Series. Who will pitch for them in the first inning on Saturday remains to be seen.</p><p>Manager Dave Roberts wouldn't name a starter for the winner-take-all contest in the immediate aftermath of his team's season-saving Game 6 win. However, he did note that two-way star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> is a "possibility" to start the game, according to <a href="https://x.com/Brandon_N_Wile/status/1984466267986694641">theScore's Brandon Wile</a>.</p><p>If Ohtani does start Game 7, he'll be working on three days' rest for just the second time in his career. The previous instance he started on three days' rest was in 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels, when he came back three days after a rain delay cut his earlier outing short.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ohtani allowed four runs on six hits with six strikeouts while throwing 93 pitches over six innings in the Dodgers' Game 4 loss. Two of the four runs he was charged with were allowed by Dodgers relievers after he departed.</p><p>Roberts added that every one of his pitchers except for Game 6 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a> will be available Saturday, according to <a href="https://x.com/dylanohernandez/status/1984468060183339414">Dylan Hernández of the Los Angeles Times</a>. This includes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4257" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4257">Tyler Glasnow</a>, who had been the presumptive Game 7 starter until coming in to save Friday's 3-1 win. Glasnow needed only three pitches to record the save, meaning he should still be fresh to throw multiple innings if needed.</p><p>Ohtani, however, presents a special case in terms of how the Dodgers can use him as a pitcher. The "Ohtani Rule" only applies to the starting pitcher, meaning that if the two-way star were to pitch in relief Los Angeles would forfeit the DH, and have to use him in the outfield to keep his bat in the game. By starting Ohtani even as an opener, he'd be able to continue hitting late in the game.</p><p>The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will turn to future Hall of Famer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> in Game 7. This will be the 41-year-old's second time starting the final game of a World Series, after he threw five innings in the Washington Nationals' 2019 Game 7 win over the Houston Astros.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Scherzer will be the 4th pitcher to start multiple World Series winner-take-all Game 7s, joining:<br><br>Bob Gibson (3)<br>Lew Burdette <br>Don Larsen</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1984465945146827049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Blue Jays manager John Schneider <a href="https://x.com/Brandon_N_Wile/status/1984462471613096118">said</a> that every one of his arms will be available, potentially including Game 6 starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3634" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3634">Kevin Gausman</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a>, who set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts in Game 5, confirmed he'll be in the bullpen and ready to pitch, per <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1984470421245165789">ESPN's Jesse Rogers</a>.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Roberts not committing to Game 7 starter, Ohtani 'a possibility'

We break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World ...

<p><em>We break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.</em></p><h3>Yesavage saves best for last </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/cropped_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807806/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244074992.jpg?ts=1761801605 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Luke Hales / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Trey Yesavage keeps redefining what we think is possible, and the Blue Jays aren't one win away from a World Series title without him.</p><p>Making just the eighth start of his major-league career, the 22-year-old authored one of the most impressive performances in the franchise's history. Pitching at Dodger Stadium, and on the road for the first time this playoffs, Yesavage struck out an MLB-rookie record 12 batters while allowing only one run off three hits over seven innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Yesavage is the first pitcher in MLB history to record 12 strikeouts and zero walks in a World Series game, while the 23 whiffs generated are the most by a pitcher during the Fall Classic since pitch tracking became available in 2008, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983725899616022955">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>The Dodgers appeared confident heading into Game 5 having already faced Yesavage in Game 1. Dave Roberts said he believed his team had a better game plan going in after seeing the unique delivery days earlier.</p><p>So much for that. </p><p>Yesavage was clearly up for the challenge and pitched completely differently the second time around, almost abandoning his fastball Wednesday. He also did a much better job at commanding the zone and throwing strikes.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 1" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-sLiFb" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/sLiFb/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="202" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 2" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-p7gr8" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/p7gr8/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="202" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>The Blue Jays did well to hand Yesavage an early 2-0 lead before he took the mound, and he continued to show incredible poise by retiring the first seven Dodgers hitters. Even after surrendering a solo home run to Enrique Hernández, Yesavage polished off the next four batters and only allowed three baserunners over the following 4 2/3 innings, finishing his night after seven with at least one strikeout of every Dodger.</p><p>The biggest moment came in the fourth. With two on and two out, Alejandro Kirk called a mound visit, and Yesavage proceeded to get Tommy Edman to pop-up to end the inning. The game could've gone another way entirely if Kirk didn't settle his pitcher down there.</p><h3>Where'd the Dodgers offense go?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/cropped_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807750/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243717709.jpg?ts=1761778927 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Dodgers finished second in runs, homers, and OPS during the regular season, but the lineup's been a shell of itself through five games of the World Series. </p><p>Los Angeles has scored just four runs and managed 16 hits over its last 29 innings. The 18-inning marathon seems to have sucked all the life out of the team. </p><p>Roberts attempted to rearrange the deck chairs moving into Game 5, but putting Will Smith second in the lineup and demoting Mookie Betts to third did almost nothing. The same can be said for swapping Andy Pages with Alex Call.</p><p>Betts is now 3-for-23 (.130) in the World Series without an RBI. He said following the loss that he's been "terrible." </p><p>But it's not just him. </p><p>Aside from Shohei Ohtani's incredible Game 3 in which he went 4-for-4 with five walks, he's 2-for-15 with four strikeouts and two walks in the other four games. He's also gone seven straight at-bats without a hit.</p><p>Despite the Dodgers outhomering the Blue Jays 8-7 in the series, seven of those have been solo shots. Los Angeles isn't getting enough traffic on base for those big swings to really do damage on the scoreboard.</p><p>Luckily, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto going in Game 6, the Dodgers may not need to score a lot to even the series.</p><h3>L.A.'s defense is haunting them too</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/cropped_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807807/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244067848.jpg?ts=1761801774 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Luke Hales / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>With Los Angeles struggling to score runs, its defense really can't afford the amount of miscues committed in Game 5.</p><p>After the Dodgers grabbed some momentum by making it 2-1 in the third inning, Teoscar Hernández's misplay that turned a Daulton Varsho single into a triple to lead off the fourth was crushing. Varsho immediately scored the following at-bat on an Ernie Clement sac fly.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Daulton Varsho leads off the fourth inning with a triple that gets by a sliding Teoscar Hernandez! <a href="https://t.co/SESf4ASC9p">pic.twitter.com/SESf4ASC9p</a></p>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1983702574323921347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Toronto put the game to bed in the seventh, scoring a pair of runs with just two hits. Addison Barger singled and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. A grounder to the right side of the infield allowed him to advance to third base, and Barger came around to score on another wild pitch. L.A. became the first team ever to throw three wild pitches during the same inning in the World Series. To add insult to injury, the Dodgers threw another wild pitch in the eighth that eventually led to the sixth run.</p><p>If you give the Blue Jays extra outs and 90 feet, they'll make you pay. It's a big part of why they're one game away from winning a championship.</p><p>"Giving up bases and not converting outs when you have an opportunity to convert outs, that came back to bite us tonight," Roberts said.</p><p>Los Angeles beat the New York Yankees in last year's World Series by taking advantage of mistakes, but the tables have turned this October, and the Dodgers' offense simply isn't good enough right now to bail them out.</p><h3>Jays ambush Snell </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/cropped_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807808/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243544540.jpg?ts=1761801863 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mary DeCicco / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Despite what his final line might say, Blake Snell pitched well and kept the Dodgers in the game for 6 2/3 innings. But he was done in early, thanks to the Blue Jays' aggressiveness.</p><p>Snell's first three pitches were four-seam fastballs, and Toronto was ready for them. Davis Schneider ripped the first pitch of the game - a 97-mph fastball - into the left-field pavilion. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pounced on another fastball for a solo homer that held up as the game-winning run.</p><p>"You might only get one fastball to hit, and Snell likes his changeup," Schneider told <a href="https://x.com/MLBNetwork/status/1983747227748356484">MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi</a>. "I just didn't want to get to that changeup early on, so I was sitting fastball and didn't miss it."</p><p>From there, Snell got the message, abandoning the fastball for almost two full innings.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blake Snell: 3 straight fastballs... then didn't throw another one until the last pitch of the 2nd... <a href="https://t.co/NJmMpfvhGj">pic.twitter.com/NJmMpfvhGj</a></p>— Chris Black (@DownToBlack) <a href="https://twitter.com/DownToBlack/status/1983694911661842634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Blue Jays' plan was clearly to ambush Snell, and it worked. Four of their six hits against him came during the first time through the order, when each of Toronto's nine hitters acted quickly to try and put the ball in play.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jays order, first time through, first pitch swung at.<br><br>Schneider: 1st pitch<br>Vlad: 2nd<br>Bo: 1st<br>Kirk: 2nd<br>Varsho: 1st<br>Ernie: 1st<br>Barger: 1st<br>IKF: 2nd<br>Giménez: 2nd<br><br>Aggressive.</p>— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ/status/1983693800586539042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>That kind of aggressive approach is a hallmark of Blue Jays baseball, and it speaks to why it's been so difficult for the Dodgers to contain. Toronto puts the ball in play consistently, makes contact, and wears down opposing pitchers.</p><p>Even if the Blue Jays strike out, they'll often do so after fouling off multiple pitches and working the count deep. Schneider and Kirk both had six-pitch strikeouts in the third with multiple foul balls that drove Snell's pitch count up. Barger worked a six-pitch walk in the fourth, and Schneider did the same in the fifth. The final four batters Snell faced in Game 5 each saw five or more pitches, ultimately driving the left-hander out of the game.</p><p>The Blue Jays used the same strategy to knock off the Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Now, it has them on the cusp of a title with Dodgers pitchers kicking dirt in frustration.</p><p>Heading into this series, one of the most intriguing subplots was seeing how the powerful Dodgers' pitching staff would adjust to the contact-heavy Blue Jays' offense, and vice-versa. Clearly, Toronto's done a better job of that through the first five games. Los Angeles only has 54 outs left to flip the switch.</p>

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Jays Watch: Blue Jays have 2 chances at home to win it all 

The legend of Trey Yesavage continued to grow in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday.  Yesava...

<p>The legend of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/20109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/20109">Trey Yesavage</a> continued to grow in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday.</p><p>Yesavage struck out a World Series rookie-record 12 Los Angeles Dodgers batters in Game 5, breaking the old mark set by Dodgers great Don Newcombe in Game 1 of the 1949 Fall Classic. He and Newcombe are the only rookie pitchers to log double-digit strikeouts in a World Series game.</p><p>The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander set the new record with a seventh-inning strikeout of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1412" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1412">Freddie Freeman</a> on a splitter.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HISTORY: Trey Yesavage's 12th strikeout of the night breaks the rookie record for Ks in a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> game! <a href="https://t.co/OxpgPT0Ug9">pic.twitter.com/OxpgPT0Ug9</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1983723441414139938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"When that splitter is on, he's going to make anyone in the game look stupid," Blue Jays veteran <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> said, according to <a href="https://torontosun.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays/rookie-trey-yesavage-makes-history-as-blue-jays-move-within-win-of-world-series-title">Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun</a>.</p><p>Yesavage is the 12th pitcher to record 12-plus strikeouts in a World Series game, and the first since the Yankees' Orlando Hernández in 2000, per <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/TbP57">Stathead</a>. He's one of just five pitchers to do it in the last 50 years. His 12 Ks without a walk also set a new single-game World Series mark, surpassing Newcombe in '49 and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/945" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/945">Clayton Kershaw</a> in Game 1 of the 2017 edition.</p><p><strong>10+ Ks, 0 BBs in a World Series game</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Year/Gm.</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Ks/BBs</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2025 Gm. 5</td>
<td>Trey Yesavage</td>
<td>Blue Jays</td>
<td>12/0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017 Gm. 1</td>
<td>Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td>Dodgers</td>
<td>11/0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1949 Gm. 1</td>
<td>Don Newcombe</td>
<td>Dodgers</td>
<td>11/0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1903 Gm. 1</td>
<td>Deacon Phillippe</td>
<td>Pirates</td>
<td>10/0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The 22-year-old also established a new World Series record for pitchers aged 22 or under, breaking Smoky Joe Wood's record from Game 1 of the 1912 Fall Classic.</p><p>"He was pretty good. Historic stuff, when you talk about that stage. ... (His) slider and split were electric," manager John Schneider said after the Blue Jays' 6-1 win, according to <a href="https://x.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1983740698454286464">Sportsnet's Blake Murphy</a>. "Kinda blown away by what he did."</p><p>Game 5 marked Yesavage's second playoff start with double-digit strikeouts following his 11-K performance in Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. He's the first rookie with multiple 10-strikeout games in playoff history, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983712001898750411">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>Yesavage joined the legendary Sandy Koufax - who was in attendance at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday - as just the second pitcher to rack up 10-plus strikeouts in the first five innings of a World Series game, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983714221272789355">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pitchers with 10+ strikeouts through 5 innings in multiple postseason games:<br><br>Trey Yesavage<br>Gerrit Cole<br><br>Yesavage is the first to do so twice in the same postseason</p>— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1983715236994806239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Yesavage, who started his 2025 season in Single-A, now owns a 3.55 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over five postseason starts. His 39 strikeouts are a new single-postseason rookie record, eclipsing Michael Wacha's 34 in 2013.</p><p>Wednesday marked the eighth big-league start of Yesavage's career and his first road start of these playoffs. The 2024 first-round pick started his season in Single-A, and pitched at every minor-league level before getting called up to the majors in mid-September.</p><p>"It's a crazy world," Yesavage said, according to <a href="https://x.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1983743866936434875">Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith</a>. "Hollywood couldn't have made it this good."</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Trey Yesavage #39 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks to the dugout after pitching the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Yesavage sets World Series rookie record with 12 Ks in Game 5

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette is playing through a significant knee injury despite bein...

<p>Toronto Blue Jays infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> is playing through a significant knee injury despite being on the verge of free agency. But his offseason price tag is of no concern to him right now.</p><p>"I'll risk it all (to win a World Series)," Bichette told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6759351/2025/10/29/toronto-blue-jays-world-series-resilience/">Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a> about playing through his injury.</p><p>Bichette sprained his knee Sept. 6 during a home-plate collision at Yankee Stadium. He didn't play again until Game 1 of the World Series, missing the entire stretch run and the first two rounds of the postseason while rehabbing.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blue Jays kept rolling without their ailing star, holding off the New York Yankees to win the AL East before eliminating the Yankees in the ALDS and the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8766" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8766">Andrés Giménez</a> moved from second to shortstop in Bichette's absence.</p><p>Bichette shifted from shortstop to second - a position he last played as a minor-leaguer in 2019 - upon returning to the lineup in Game 1. He's performed capably in the World Series, going 4-for-11 with two walks during the first four games, but has clearly been moving gingerly on the bases and on defense. After <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a>'s injury, Bichette was in the lineup as DH in Games 4 and 5.</p><p>"I'm not really expecting to make huge progress while I'm playing," Bichette told Rosenthal. "I'm doing what I can."</p><p>Once the series ends, the reality of free agency will hit for both Bichette and the Blue Jays. Toronto is the only organization the 27-year-old has ever known, and although this Fall Classic could mark his last ride in Canada, he's not closing the door on a return.</p><p>"I've been here my entire career. Worked really hard to build to a winning culture (in Toronto)," Bichette told reporters, including <a href="https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bichette-blue-jays-free-agency-thoughts">Daily Hive's Adam Laskaris</a>, before the World Series. "Not alone, of course ... but my goal is to stay here my entire career.</p><p>"But right now, I don't have time to think about that."</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits an RBI single in the seventh inning during Game Four of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Bichette on playing through knee injury: 'I'll risk it all' to win

The Minnesota Twins hired Derek Shelton as their manager, the team announced Thursday.  Shelton r...

<p>The Minnesota Twins hired Derek Shelton as their manager, the team announced Thursday.</p><p>Shelton replaces Rocco Baldelli, who was the Twins' skipper for seven seasons until they dismissed him after their 92-loss 2025 campaign.</p><p>The 55-year-old Shelton spent most of the last six years managing the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he amassed a 306-440 record before being fired this past May. Shelton's Pirates teams never finished higher than fourth place and twice lost 100 games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Before getting the Pirates job, Shelton spent two years in Minnesota's dugout as bench coach under then-manager Paul Molitor.</p><p>Managerial stability has become commonplace in Minnesota; Shelton will become the fifth person to manage the Twins over the last 39 years. However, the team has won just one playoff series and three playoff games since 2003 and last won a World Series in 1991.</p><p>The Twins won the AL Central in 2023 but missed the playoffs after a late-season collapse in '24. This past summer, they embarked on a deadline-day fire sale en route to their first 90-loss season since 2016.</p>

DETROIT, MI - MAY 29: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during game one of the doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 29, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Pirates 8-0.

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Twins hire Derek Shelton as manager

Game 4 might not be the last time we see Shohei Ohtani on the mound in the World Series.  After t...

<p>Game 4 might not be the last time we see <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> on the mound in the World Series.</p><p>After taking the loss in his first career World Series start, he said he'd be available out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the final games of the series.</p><p>"It depends on how long the series goes, but if there's a possibility I'll be needed in any of the games, I want to be ready," Ohtani said in Japanese, according to <a href="https://x.com/SonjaMChen/status/1983644025849835860">Sonja Chen and Ayako Oikawa of MLB.com</a>. "There could be games like (Game 3) that go into extra innings and don't get decided for a while, so I want to stay prepared to pitch at any time."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Manager Dave Roberts said prior to Game 5 that he hadn't yet talked to Ohtani about pitching in Toronto, but he would consider where the two-way superstar might fit into their pitching plans if needed.</p><p>"When you're talking about Game 6 (or) potential Game 7 of the World Series, (it's) all hands on deck, so we'll see where that goes. ... If he can go, if it makes sense, certainly he would be an option," Roberts told reporters Wednesday, according to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5PZO31J7ss">Dodger Blue</a>.</p><p>Ohtani has never come out of the bullpen in the majors. He did make several relief appearances while with Japan's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and famously saved the 2023 World Baseball Classic final for his country.</p><p>If he were to pitch in relief, it would create some unusual lineup issues for Roberts. The so-called "Ohtani Rule" allows for Ohtani to remain in the game as DH in games that he starts on the mound. However, if he came in to pitch as a reliever, the Dodgers would forfeit the DH, meaning they'd have to either move him to the outfield to keep his bat in the game after he was done pitching or take him out altogether.</p><p>Ohtani <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3347524" href="https://thescore.com/news/3347524">said</a> in September that he'd be willing to play the outfield in the playoffs if necessary. He's made seven big-league appearances in the outfield, all of them in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels before the "Ohtani Rule" was created.</p><p>Ohtani allowed four runs on six hits while striking out six and walking one in six-plus innings pitched during the Dodgers' Game 4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed a two-run homer to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> in the third and departed after putting two runners on base to start the seventh.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior approached Shohei Ohtani in the 6th inning and asked him how much he had left, according to manager Dave Roberts.<br><br>“He said he had three more innings,” Roberts said.</p>— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) <a href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/1983377460189446596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>At the plate, the three-time MVP followed up his historic Game 3 performance by going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk.</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Ohtani willing to pitch out of bullpen in World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays don't have George Springer in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World S...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays don't have <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2931" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2931">George Springer</a> in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World Series after the star slugger sustained an injury in Game 3.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> will take Springer's spot as DH and hit third, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4693" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4693">Isiah Kiner-Falefa</a> slots in at second base. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5788" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5788">Nathan Lukes</a> will bat in Springer's customary leadoff spot, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> hits second. The Blue Jays also moved <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/14202" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/14202">Addison Barger</a> from seventh into the cleanup slot.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game Four. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WANTITALL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WANTITALL</a> <a href="https://t.co/GBu20RzfaW">pic.twitter.com/GBu20RzfaW</a></p>— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1983293995016208657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Springer underwent an MRI on Monday night after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3380405" href="https://thescore.com/news/3380405">injuring</a> his side in the seventh inning.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blue Jays' Game 4 lineup release was delayed while the team awaited word on Springer's availability. About an hour before the lineup was announced, manager John Schneider described the former World Series MVP's status as "hour-to-hour, day-to-day," according to <a href="https://x.com/ShiDavidi/status/1983277364194001204">Sportsnet's Shi Davidi</a>. It's unclear if Springer will be available to pinch hit.</p><p>Springer's been banged up during the Blue Jays' World Series run. The 36-year-old had to leave Game 5 of the ALCS early after taking a pitch off his kneecap, although he returned to the lineup two days later. He also missed time in August with a concussion.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Whenever the season’s over you guys will be surprised to hear how much he’s grinded physically,” John Schneider said about George Springer.</p>— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1983287046727970972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Springer is hitting .246/.323/.561 with four homers and nine RBIs this postseason, but he's just 3-for-11 during the World Series.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays strikes out during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Blue Jays' Springer not starting Game 4, Bichette to DH

The Toronto Blue Jays lost a baserunner in brutal fashion early in Game 3 of the World Series.  I...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays lost a baserunner in brutal fashion early in Game 3 of the World Series.</p><p>In the top of the second, Daulton Varsho took what just about everyone in Dodger Stadium thought was ball four - except for home plate umpire Mark Wegner, who called it a strike. Amid the confusion, Bo Bichette was busy jogging to second base and got caught leaning off first, for a 2-1-3 pickoff.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bo Bichette is picked off for the first out of the 2nd inning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/TwQxmgjMJp">pic.twitter.com/TwQxmgjMJp</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1982968999895003361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Blue Jays manager John Schneider told <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1982974889448579397">Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal</a> that the mix-up happened because of a slow strike call that Varsho didn't hear.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I (asked Wegner) just to be a little bit quicker with his call," Schneider said. ... "Very delayed call, pretty deliberate. Just didn't say anything, so Varsh assumed it was a ball and Bo assumed. I just asked him, 'In this environment, can you be a little bit quicker, or give a little bit more clarity, so everyone knows what's going on?'"</p><p>Varsho ended up working a walk later in the at-bat. However, the Blue Jays were unable to score in the inning.</p>

Los Angeles, CA, October, 27, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) picks of Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette during the second inning of Game three of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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