The Three Shots Heard Around the World
Riding the momentum of their 2024 World Series victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched Game 7 of the 2025 World Series; the first time a franchise has won consecutive World Series since the New York Yankees in 1998-2000.
The Los Angeles Dodgers switched their offensive strategy going into Game 7. In Game 6, they took more pitches to wear down Kevin Gausman and fired up their offense in the third inning. In Game 7, the Dodgers came out swinging against veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, but struggled to get their offense going.
As for defense, Tyler Glasnow was slated to start Game 7 for the Dodgers. After Glasnow’s save in Game 6, the Dodgers opted to start Shohei Ohtani. Glasnow came in for relief in the fifth and sixth innings of Game 7.
Toronto was the first team to get their offense going. Bo Bichette broke the scoreless game in the third inning with a three-run home run.
The Dodgers fired back in the fourth with Teoscar Hernández’s sacrifice fly to score Will Smith, bringing the score to 3-1.
Mookie Betts scored in the top of the sixth inning, with Teoscar Hernández's fielder’s choice moving him to third base and Tommy Edman's sacrifice fly scoring Betts, bringing the score to 3-2.
Ernie Clement singled in the bottom of the sixth inning, setting a record for most hits in a single MLB postseason (30). He stole second and was then brought in by Andrés Giménez, increasing the Blue Jays lead to 4-2.
Max Muncy homered in the eighth, bringing the score to 4-3. Miguel Rojas homered in the ninth, tying the game at 4-4.
The Dodgers displayed incredible defense in the bottom of the ninth inning. With bases loaded, Miguel Rojas fielded a backhand ground ball and threw a fielder’s choice to home for the second out. Andy Pages heroically chased down a flyball to the warning track for the third out, sending the game into extra innings.
Will Smith, the “people’s MVP,” homered in the 11th, putting the Dodgers ahead at 5-4. Smith was behind the plate in every inning for the Dodgers, setting a record for most innings caught in a single World Series (73).
The final score was 5-4. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series MVP after his stellar starts in Game 2 and Game 6, and for his clutch relief pitching to close out Game 7. Yamamoto is credited with the wins in Games 2 and 6, and in Game 7 as well.
Before the game, Dodgers fan Sherdan Pangilinan was confident in the Dodgers’ ability to win in Game 7, as long as their offense built enough momentum. "They have to score first... hopefully Ohtani's bat wakes up today," Pangilinan said.
Laurence Lipsher, another Dodgers fan, said that Game 7 was going to be a "pitching matchup." He said that the game will be decided by "whoever has the flukes."
Carlos Navarro, another fan, said that he hoped the Dodgers would give it their all. "There is no tomorrow; so if you gotta go through your bullpen, you gotta go through your bullpen. Everybody needs to step up," Navarro said.
Toronto's last World Series victory was in 1993, and their fans had remained optimistic going into the game. Rachel Gauntlett, a Blue Jays fan, has fond childhood memories with her father and the Blue Jays. "When they won, that was the only time I've seen him emotional." She also said her father's favorite shirt depicted Joe Carter's walk-off home run in the 1993 World Series.
Game 7 of the 2025 World Series was a nail-biter. Following the Dodgers’ victory, die-hard fan Stefanie Feldman says, “My heart was above average heart rate the entire game,” and calls it the best baseball she has ever seen. She breathed a sigh of relief and joy when the 33rd out of the ballgame was made. “Dodgers is much more than a game to me. It’s sentimental. Dodgers are family.”