World Series Preview: Ohtani on the Bump for Game Seven Winner-Take-All

TORONTO—The best two words in sports: Game Seven.

The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled away with a clutch 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game Six of the World Series, evening up the series and setting up a winner-take-all Game Seven.

Last night, all eyes were on Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the second-year ace was set to pitch arguably the most important start of his young Dodgers career thus far.

The righty delivered, tossing six innings of one-run ball and pushing the Dodgers past elimination and setting up a Game Seven.

The offense, while not cured of its inconsistencies, did just enough, scoring three runs in the third inning off Jays starter Kevin Gausman, in large part to shortstop Mookie Betts, who hit a two-out two-RBI single after being dropped to the four-hole for the first time since 2017.

It’s the first Game Seven of the World Series since the 2019 Fall Classic, which saw the Washington Nationals pulling off what the Dodgers are trying to do, and win both Games Six and Seven on the road to win the World Series over the Houston Astros.

Recent history also favors the Dodgers in this case, with three of the most recent Game Seven winners all coming from the road team: the 2016 Chicago Cubs, the 2017 Astros, and the 2019 Nationals.

Pitching Probables

Shohei Ohtani (2-1, 3.50 ERA) vs Max Scherzer (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

On the mound for Los Angeles will be two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who will be pitching on just three days’ rest after making an appearance during Game Four at Dodger Stadium.

Despite starting in a game after which the three-time MVP award winner was on pace nine times in the 18-inning thriller in Game Three, Ohtani still gave the Dodgers six innings while allowing just four runs, but was unable to complete a clean seventh inning for the team.

The bullpen allowed two of his runners to score in the top of the seventh, but Ohtani still gave everything he had in the game, now he’ll have a chance at redemption in Game Seven, with a World Series title on the horizon.

The baseball gods couldn’t script it any better. Under the dome of Rogers Centre, in the heart of Canada, a 40-year-old Max Scherzer — the fierce-eyed warrior of a thousand big games — will take the mound one more time, starting Game Seven of the 2025 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays.

It’s a full-circle moment for one of baseball’s great competitors. Once the firebrand ace of Detroit, Washington, and the Dodgers, Scherzer has spent the twilight of his career chasing one more title. Tonight, he gets the chance to deliver it — and perhaps cap off a Hall of Fame career with the perfect ending.

“This is why you play,” Scherzer said Friday night, his voice steady but sharp. “Every throw, every bullpen, every bit of work — it’s all for this game.”

Who to Watch

My player to watch is the entire Dodgers offense.

For all the star power, the storylines, and the spectacle surrounding Game Seven of the 2025 World Series, one truth remains simple: if the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to finish the job tonight, their offense must finally come alive.

After six grueling games against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers’ typically relentless lineup has been held in check more often than not. They’ve scored just 20 runs in the series — a modest total for a team that led the National League in home runs, runs scored, and on-base percentage during the regular season.

Now, under the lights of Rogers Centre, it all comes down to one game. One night to rediscover their rhythm. One more chance for their superstars to deliver.

Where to Watch

The 2025 World Series will be aired exclusively on FOX and the Fox Sports App at 5:00 PM PT (8:00 PM ET)

Betting Odds

Both teams come into Game Seven aiming for a crucial victory to secure the World Series title. Bookmakers have the Dodgers as -148 favorites on the moneyline, with the Blue Jays as underdogs at +124. Los Angeles is favored on the run line at -1.5 with +114 odds. The total runs predicted for the game is set at 8.

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