LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2025) — The stage shifts from the north to the west coast as the 2025 World Series heads to Dodger Stadium for a pivotal Game 3 matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. After splitting the first two games in Toronto, the series now stands at 1–1 — and momentum, for the moment, belongs to Los Angeles.

The Dodgers rode the electric right arm of Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, as the Japanese ace authored one of the finest pitching performances in recent postseason history. Yamamoto tossed a complete game on just 105 pitches, retiring the final 20 batters he faced in a dominant 3–0 shutout that silenced a raucous Rogers Centre crowd.

Now, with the series knotted, the Blue Jays will look to rebound behind their own veteran ace, Max Scherzer, in what’s shaping up to be a classic duel of contrasting styles and experience when he faces Tyler Glasnow and the Dodgers.

Dodgers Regain Their Swagger

After a sluggish Game 1 loss, Los Angeles reasserted its championship pedigree behind Yamamoto’s masterclass and timely hitting from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers’ offense did just enough, scratching across three runs on a night dominated by pitching efficiency and precision.

Manager Dave Roberts praised his starter’s command and poise.
“Yoshi was everything we needed and more,” Roberts said. “He attacked the zone, kept hitters guessing, and showed the kind of dominance that makes him special. It was one of the best postseason outings I’ve ever seen.”

Yamamoto’s ability to mix his high-90s fastball with a devastating splitter left Toronto hitters flailing. He finished with nine strikeouts and no walks, while lowering his postseason ERA to 1.32.

The Dodgers’ win also flipped the betting outlook, as they are now listed as -221 favorites to win the series and claim their first title since 2020.

Blue Jays Seek to Reclaim Control

For the Blue Jays, the loss was as much about missed opportunities as it was about Yamamoto’s brilliance. Toronto’s lineup, which has thrived on power and patience all season, failed to register a baserunner over the final six innings of Game 2.

Manager John Schneider downplayed concerns about the shutout, expressing confidence in his lineup’s ability to respond.
“You tip your cap to Yamamoto — he was outstanding,” Schneider said. “But our guys have bounced back all year. We’ve got Scherzer going in Game 3, and that’s a situation we feel great about.”

The Blue Jays will turn to Max Scherzer, the 40-year-old veteran and three-time Cy Young Award winner, who brings a wealth of postseason experience into what could be a turning point in the series. Scherzer, who joined Toronto midseason in a blockbuster trade, has posted a 2.85 ERA in three playoff starts this October and is no stranger to high-pressure moments.

His task won’t be easy — the Dodgers’ lineup, led by Betts, Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, and Will Smith, is deep, disciplined, and relentless at home.

Pitching Matchup: Glasnow vs. Scherzer

Los Angeles counters with Tyler Glasnow, whose power fastball and elite curveball have anchored the Dodgers’ rotation since his acquisition last winter. Glasnow has delivered two quality starts this postseason, recording 21 strikeouts over 13 innings while limiting opponents to a .198 average.

For the Dodgers, the key will be Glasnow’s early command and ability to neutralize Toronto’s top-of-the-order threats — Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer.

Meanwhile, Toronto will rely on Scherzer’s veteran savvy and ability to manage traffic on the bases, particularly against a lineup that excels at working deep counts.

The Road Ahead

With the next three games set at Dodger Stadium, the pressure is on Toronto to steal at least one road win to send the series back home. Game 3 has historically been decisive — in MLB history, teams that win Game 3 of a tied World Series have gone on to win the championship 67% of the time.

For Los Angeles, a win Tuesday night would bring them two steps from the title. For Toronto, it’s about proving that their resilient lineup and battle-tested ace can weather the storm in hostile territory.

The lights will shine bright in Chavez Ravine — and with Glasnow vs. Scherzer on the mound, Game 3 promises to be must-watch baseball.