World Series Preview: Yamamoto & Dodgers Hope to Force Game Seven in the Six

TORONTO—Well, it all comes down to this (possibly) as the Los Angeles Dodgers enter tonight’s game on the brink of elimination after dropping two straight games at home to the Toronto Blue Jays.

After a thrilling Game Three, which was won off another walk-off home run by first baseman Freddie Freeman in the 18th inning, the Dodgers were unable to capitalize on their situation, now entering Game Six down 3-2 in the series with the Blue Jays one win away from winning the series.

Snell, the Dodgers’ best starter in the first three rounds of the postseason, got rocked yet again in Game Five, giving up five runs in 6.2 innings, including back-to-back home runs to start off the game in the first inning.

The offense has been in the struggle bus for most of October, but they’ve completely disappeared over the first five games of this series, and have virtually been outplayed in all facets of the game in this series.

It’s the first time the Dodgers have been on the brink of elimination since Game Four of the 2024 National League Division Series against their National League West rival, the San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers haven’t lost three straight games in the postseason since being swept by another NL West rival in the 2023 NLDS by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers’ offense is in the midst of one of their worst five-game stretches of the season, posting an OPS under .700 and going a combined 6-for-30 with runners in scoring position and leaving 40 runners on base, despite ranking in the top three in the league in that category during the regular season.

Now to win the World Series, they’ll have to win not one, but two games on the road in Toronto at the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays have a 59-30 record this season, including both the regular and postseason.

Pitching Probables

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-1, 1.57 ERA) vs Kevin Gausman (2-2, 2.55 ERA)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound with his team’s championship hopes hanging by a thread. The Toronto Blue Jays lead the series 3–2, standing one win away from their first World Series title since 1993.

For the Dodgers, there’s no one they’d rather have in this moment. The 26-year-old right-hander from Japan has been everything Los Angeles dreamed of when they signed him last winter — calm, composed, and utterly dominant on baseball’s biggest stage.

Yamamoto was masterful in his last start, a complete-game four-hit victory in Game Two, silencing Toronto’s high-powered lineup and evening the series at the time. His command was impeccable — eight strikeouts, no walks, and a fastball that never lost its life through nine innings.

Now, he’ll be asked to do it again — this time with elimination on the line.

“Every game is big in the World Series,” Yamamoto said earlier this week through an interpreter. “But this one is the biggest. My focus is the same: one pitch at a time.”

The Dodgers’ pitching staff has leaned heavily on him throughout October. Between the NLCS and the World Series, he’s thrown two consecutive complete games, a rare feat in today’s postseason. Manager Dave Roberts hinted that Yamamoto could have a slightly shorter leash this time around, with Shohei Ohtani potentially available for relief if needed, but the plan is clear — Yamamoto goes as far as he can.

Game 6 brings a rematch of Game 2’s duel between Yamamoto and Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. Toronto’s veteran right-hander was solid in that outing, but Yamamoto simply outclassed him. The Blue Jays are hoping a return to their home park and the raucous Toronto crowd will make the difference.

Who to Watch

It’s been a quiet World Series for Mookie Betts, and that can’t continue if the Dodgers hope to survive. Betts has just three hits in the series and hasn’t driven in a run since Game One of the NLCS.

Still, Betts has a history of delivering when it matters most. His ability to set the tone early — whether by working a long at-bat or creating chaos on the bases — could energize the Dodgers’ offense.

Key stat: The Dodgers are 7–1 this postseason when Betts scores at least once.

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

The Blue Jays can secure a series win with a victory, while the Dodgers aim to force a decisive Game 7. The Blue Jays are +126 underdogs on the moneyline, whereas the Dodgers are favored at -150. Los Angeles has a 1.5-run advantage with +116 odds. The total runs for the game are set at 7.5.

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