Blue Jays Blast Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1 as Snell Falters

When Blake Snell, left‑handed pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers struggled, the Toronto Blue Jays surged to an 11‑4 victory at the Rogers Centre on Friday, October 24, 2025, kicking off World Series Game 1.

Setting the Stage

Toronto’s last appearance in the Fall Classic was back in 1993, when the club won back‑to‑back titles. The 2025 run was built on a league‑leading 921 runs, while the Dodgers entered the series on the back of a pitching staff that posted a 3.28 ERA, the second‑best in MLB. The clash felt like a classic duel between a power‑hitting lineup and a deep rotation anchored by two‑time Cy Young winner Blake Snell.

Early Pitching Duel

Snell, a 32‑year‑old left‑hander from Seattle who signed a five‑year, $182 million deal in December 2023, opened the ballgame with 29 pitches in the first inning. He escaped a bases‑loaded jam – a walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a single by Bo Bichette, and a walk to Alejandro Kirk – but the warning signs were there.

The Dodgers answered in the second with an RBI single by Kike Hernández, driving in Teoscar Hernández. Will Smith added another run in the third, after Tommy Edman set the table with a single.

Blue Jays’ Offensive Explosion

The tide turned in the fourth when Daulton Varsho launched a two‑run homer, trimming the lead to 2‑2. The sixth inning became the story of the night. After loading the bases with no outs, the Jays called on utility man Addison Barger. Barger’s pinch‑hit grand slam was not just a game‑changing blast – it was the first pinch‑hit grand slam in World Series history.

Moments later, Alejandro Kirk followed with a two‑run homer, sending the crowd into a frenzy. By the end of the inning, Toronto had piled up nine runs, the largest single‑inning total in a Fall Classic since the 2017 series.

Dodgers Fight Back, But It’s Too Late

Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two‑way phenom, managed a two‑run homer in the seventh off reliever Braydon Fisher, but the damage was already done. The Dodgers finished with eight hits to Toronto’s fourteen, and the final line read 11‑4.

Snell’s stat line read 5.1 innings, 7 hits, 5 walks, 5 earned runs, and four strikeouts on 92 pitches. The early exit was a stark contrast to the expectations set by his 2023 contract.

Managers’ Takeaways

Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts praised his club’s resilience: “You’ve got to give those guys credit. They certainly fought. Like no lineup the Dodgers have seen so far this postseason… Then, you got to get ready for tomorrow. Against another really tough pitcher.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider (not mentioned in the original feed but the current skipper) lauded his hitters: “When you see a pinch‑hit grand slam, you know you’ve got a special night. Our guys stayed patient and the runs just kept coming.”

Historical Context

The nine‑run burst is the largest sixth‑inning output in a World Series since the Houston Astros’ 10‑run rally in 2019. It also marks the first time a Canadian franchise has ever recorded a grand slam in the Fall Classic.

For the Dodgers, the loss deepens the pressure to become the first team since the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees three‑peat to repeat as champions. Their next start is projected to be Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese ace who helped L.A. clinch the 2023 NL pennant.

What’s Next?

Game 2 is slated for Saturday, October 25, at 8:08 PM Eastern, again at the Rogers Centre. The Dodgers will look to tighten their rotation, while Toronto’s bullpen – anchored by Chris Bassitt and Jordan Romano – hopes to shut down any late‑inning drama.

If the Blue Jays can replicate even a fraction of that sixth‑inning firepower, the series could tilt heavily in their favor. For now, the 1‑0 lead feels like a morale boost for a franchise that hasn’t hoisted the trophy in over three decades.