Blue Jays take 3–2 series lead as Yesavage sets rookie strikeout record and Vladimir Guerrero Jr powers Toronto’s explosive start.

LOS ANGELES, October 30, 2025 — The Toronto Blue Jays are on the brink of history. Behind a record-breaking performance from rookie sensation Trey Yesavage, the Jays moved one win away from their first World Series championship since 1993, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.

The 22-year-old right-hander etched his name into baseball lore, striking out 12 batters — the most ever by a rookie in World Series history, surpassing a mark that had stood for over seven decades.

Yesavage was untouchable for seven innings, allowing just three hits and no walks, while retiring every Dodger in the lineup at least once. His dominant outing continued a storybook postseason that has turned the young pitcher into an overnight sensation.

“Historic stuff,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “His slider and split were electric. He was completely in control from the first inning.”

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🔥 Back-to-Back Homers Ignite Toronto’s Fast Start

The Blue Jays wasted no time setting the tone. On the very first pitch of the game, Davis Schneider launched a home run off Dodgers starter Blake Snell, sending a jolt through the visiting dugout. Two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with another blast to deep left field, making it the first time in World Series history that a team opened with back-to-back home runs.

Guerrero’s eighth postseason home run tied him for the second-most in a single postseason in MLB history, further cementing his reputation as one of the game’s most feared sluggers.

The Dodgers briefly responded in the third inning when Kiké Hernández hit his first homer of the postseason, cutting the deficit to 2–1. But the Blue Jays quickly answered back, as Daulton Varsho tripled and scored on an Ernie Clement sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to restore Toronto’s two-run cushion.

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⚾ Dodgers Falter as Blue Jays Extend Lead

Snell battled into the seventh inning but struggled with control, throwing 116 pitches, including two wild pitches. His second wild pitch allowed Addison Barger to advance to third before walking Andres Gimenez.

Dodgers reliever Edgardo Henriquez couldn’t stop the bleeding — tossing another wild pitch that let Barger score, followed by Bo Bichette’s RBI single to make it 5–1.

Toronto added one more insurance run in the eighth inning when Ernie Clement singled, advanced on another wild pitch, and scored off Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s RBI single.

By the time the Dodgers came to bat in the ninth, Dodger Stadium had fallen nearly silent. Mookie Betts flied out, while Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández both struck out to end the game.

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🧢 Dodgers Search for Answers as Blue Jays Close In

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credited Yesavage’s command and poise but lamented his team’s lack of execution.

“A lot of poise. No panic. The way he performed — pretty impressive,” Roberts said. “But we’ve got to wipe the slate clean. We’re at elimination now.”

The Dodgers have been plagued by inconsistency at the plate and mounting bullpen struggles throughout the series. Despite solid outings from Snell and Freeman, the offense has failed to capitalize on opportunities, scoring just one run in each of the last two games.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays’ balance between power hitting and elite pitching has propelled them to within one win of ending a 32-year championship drought.

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🔔 Blue Jays Eye Championship Glory in Game 6

The series now shifts back to Toronto, where Kevin Gausman is set to start Game 6 against Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Reports indicate that Shohei Ohtani could make a surprise relief appearance for Los Angeles as the team fights to stay alive.

“To give the ball to Kevin for Game 6 feels great,” said Schneider. “It’s another tough matchup with Yamamoto, but we’ve earned this chance.”

A win at Rogers Centre would deliver Toronto its first World Series title since Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off homer in 1993 — a moment Blue Jays fans have waited more than three decades to relive.

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📊 Key Stats from Game 5

• Trey Yesavage (TOR): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 12 K (Rookie World Series Record)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR): 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
• Davis Schneider (TOR): 1-for-4, HR
• Blake Snell (LAD): 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 116 pitches, 3 wild pitches
• Final Score: Blue Jays 6, Dodgers 1
• Series: Toronto leads 3–2