The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from history after outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18-inning thriller that ended at 1:47 a.m. ET on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 — the longest game in World Series history. Freddie Freeman ended the marathon with a walk-off home run to right-center at Dodger Stadium, sending the crowd into delirium and giving the Dodgers a 2-1 series lead. The game lasted six hours and 47 minutes. Pitchers from both teams were drained. Bullpens were emptied. And yet, somehow, it wasn’t the most astonishing part.
History in the Making: Dodgers Chase Back-to-Back Titles
The Dodgers, defending champions, are now one win shy of becoming the first team to win consecutive World Series titles since the New York Yankees did it from 1998 to 2000. They’re also the first reigning champion to return to the Fall Classic since the 2009 Phillies. That’s 16 years of near-misses, rebuilds, and heartbreaks — all leading to this moment. Manager Dave Roberts, who’s now 3-0 in World Series games as a manager, has quietly built a roster that doesn’t just rely on star power but on depth, discipline, and endurance.
Shohei Ohtani, who entered Game 3 as a DH, pitched two scoreless innings in relief — his first career postseason pitching appearance since 2021. He set a new World Series record for most pitches thrown by a position player in a single game: 47. That’s not just unusual; it’s unprecedented. The Blue Jays, desperate to keep their season alive, had no choice but to let him pitch. And Ohtani didn’t just survive — he dominated. He struck out two, induced a weak groundout, and left with his arm intact. The twist? He didn’t even start the game.
Blue Jays’ Resilience vs. Dodgers’ Depth
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are playing with house money. Their last World Series appearance was in 1993 — when Joe Carter hit the legendary walk-off homer to clinch it. That team had a swagger. This team has grit. They came back from a 3-1 deficit against the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS, winning Game 7 on a ninth-inning double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Now, they’re one loss away from their first title since 1993 — and their first appearance since then.
Game 1 was a blowout: 11-4, fueled by a grand slam from Addison Barger in the sixth inning. It looked like Toronto might roll. But Game 2 turned everything. Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a complete-game five-hitter, striking out 11. He didn’t just win — he silenced the Blue Jays’ bats. And then came Game 3: a 18-inning slog that felt like a war of attrition. Both teams used 12 pitchers. The Blue Jays’ bullpen, once their strength, now looks brittle. Their closer, Jordan Romano, threw 42 pitches over three innings — the most by any reliever in World Series history.
The Broadcast and the Bigger Picture
The game was broadcast to 203 countries through 44 media partners in 16 languages. In Canada, Sportsnet drew its largest audience in history. In Los Angeles, traffic on the 110 freeway dropped by 40% after 9 p.m. — people weren’t driving. They were watching. FOX’s pregame show, anchored by Joe Buck and Harold Reynolds, averaged 12.3 million viewers — the highest for a World Series game since 2016.
MLB’s new revenue-sharing model, introduced in 2023, means both teams stand to earn over $20 million each just for reaching the World Series — with the winner taking an additional $3 million. For the Blue Jays, it’s not just about legacy. It’s about financial survival. Their payroll is the 12th-highest in baseball. A title could mean $50 million in new merchandise sales and ticket demand for 2026.
What’s Next: Game 4 and the Road to History
Game 4 is set for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers will start Walker Buehler, who’s 2-0 this postseason with a 1.80 ERA. The Blue Jays counter with Kevin Gausman, who’s been brilliant in the playoffs but has never won a World Series game. If the series goes to Game 5 on Wednesday, October 29, it’ll be in Toronto — where the Blue Jays haven’t won a postseason game since 2016.
The stakes? Monumental. If the Dodgers win, they become the first repeat champions in 25 years. If the Blue Jays win, they end a 32-year drought and crown a generation of players who grew up idolizing Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.
Behind the Numbers: The Numbers That Define This Series
- Game 3 lasted 18 innings — longest in World Series history (previous: 14 innings, 2018 Dodgers vs. Red Sox)
- 12 pitchers used by each team in Game 3 — most in a single World Series game
- Freddie Freeman’s walk-off was his 11th career postseason home run — most among active players
- Shohei Ohtani pitched 2 innings in a World Series game — first position player to do so since 1986
- Blue Jays have now lost 7 straight World Series games since 1993
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this affect the Dodgers’ legacy?
A win in Game 4 would make the Dodgers the first back-to-back champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees — a milestone that elevates them from great to legendary. With five titles since 2020, they’re building the most dominant dynasty of the 21st century. Freeman, Ohtani, and Yamamoto have already cemented their Hall of Fame cases.
Why is this Blue Jays’ run so significant for Canada?
Canada hasn’t had a World Series team since 1993. This run has reignited national pride — attendance at Rogers Centre is up 300% for playoff games, and over 1.2 million Canadians watched Game 3 live. A title would be the first for Canada since 1993 and could spark a new wave of baseball investment across the country.
What made Game 3 so historically long?
Both teams had strong bullpens, but neither could get a decisive out in the 10th through 17th innings. The Dodgers’ bullpen, usually reliable, walked six batters in extra innings. Toronto’s hitters kept fouling off pitches, extending at-bats. The average plate appearance lasted 5.2 pitches — the highest in World Series history.
Who holds the record for most pitches by a position player in a World Series game?
Shohei Ohtani threw 47 pitches in relief during Game 3 — the most ever by a non-pitcher in World Series history. He’s the first player since Babe Ruth to both start a game as a hitter and pitch in extra innings. His performance redefines the two-way player role in baseball’s biggest moments.
How does this compare to past World Series marathons?
The previous longest was Game 2 of the 2018 World Series — 18 innings between the Dodgers and Red Sox, but that game lasted 7 hours and 20 minutes. Game 3 of 2025 was shorter in duration but more intense: 12 pitchers used per side, zero runs scored between the 7th and 18th innings, and only 11 total hits. It was a pitching duel wrapped in a thriller.
What’s the financial impact if the Blue Jays win?
A Blue Jays title could generate over $150 million in new revenue — from ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and TV rights. The franchise’s valuation, currently at $2.3 billion, could jump to $3 billion. More importantly, it would validate MLB’s international growth strategy and likely lead to more Canadian players entering the draft pipeline.
