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Greatest words in sports? Try telling that to Blue Jays after heartbreaker

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. elling-that-to-blue-jays-after-heartbreaker.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 15:14 GMT by USA Today
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Blue Jays Capture Their First World Series Title in a Dramatic Game 7 Against the Dodgers

On the night that turned into a late‑night thriller, the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 4‑3 in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, securing their first championship in franchise history. The series, which had been a see‑saw battle after the Jays had taken a 3‑1 lead, was ultimately decided by a clutch performance from rookie outfielder Dylan Carlson and a late‑inning sacrifice fly by veteran third baseman Vladimir Guerrero‑Jr., giving Toronto a 3‑2 series win.

The game was a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading runs in the first four innings. Toronto’s ace pitcher, Jake Arrieta, made a surprise start after being named the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2024, but the Dodgers’ offense, led by Mookie Betts, was relentless. In the top of the third, Betts walked, stole a base, and hit a solo home run to give the Dodgers a 1‑0 lead. The Blue Jays answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a leadoff single by Carlos Correa, followed by a sacrifice fly that capitalized on a misthrow by Los Angeles’ catcher, Freddie Freeman.

Arrieta’s pitching was solid, however; he struck out 11 and walked only one over nine innings. In the Dodgers’ 7th inning, Arrieta’s fastball velocity hovered around 92 mph, and he issued a single to Betts before striking out Brandon Drury. The Dodgers’ bullpen, in an attempt to shut down the Blue Jays’ offense, struggled, with left‑hander Matt Waldron allowing a two‑run double to Correa and a later single to Alex Ríos.

The turning point came in the 8th inning. The Dodgers took a 3‑1 lead after a two‑run home run by Justin Turner. Toronto’s manager, John Gibbons, responded by pulling Arrieta in the 9th and bringing in right‑hander Dylan Carlson, a rookie who had been a late‑season breakout in the American League. Carlson delivered a perfect 1‑2‑3 inning, striking out Betts and holding the Dodgers scoreless.

The ninth inning turned dramatic when the Blue Jays’ pitcher, rookie right‑hander Kevin Gausman, allowed a single to Betts. With two outs, a misplay by the Dodgers’ shortstop, Luis Arraez, gave the Blue Jays a runner on third. In a clutch moment, Carlson hit a deep, line‑driven single to right field, allowing the runner to score and tying the game at 3‑3. The ball landed just inside the outfield fence, sparking a roar from the Toronto crowd.

In the bottom of the 10th, the Blue Jays capitalized on a Dodgers error. After a ground ball to third by Betts, the runner on first was thrown out at second, but the ball was missed in the gap, allowing the Blue Jays to advance to third base. With the batter, Carlos Correa, on base, the Dodgers’ catcher, Freddie Freeman, was forced to throw the ball across the plate to home. The throw was off the mark, and the ball ricocheted into the outfield, allowing Correa to score the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Vladimir Guerrero‑Jr. The final score was 4‑3.

This victory has profound significance for Toronto. The Blue Jays became the first Canadian team to win a World Series since the Montreal Expos’ 1979 runner‑up finish, and the first to win a series since the 1993 Baltimore Orioles (a team that also had a Canadian player, Roberto Alomar). The win also cemented the franchise’s resurgence after a decade of rebuilding and two playoff appearances that ended in first‑round exits. Gibbons, who had led the team to its first championship, was named the World Series MVP, a recognition that highlighted his strategic acumen and calm demeanor.

In the aftermath, several Dodgers players reflected on the series. Mookie Betts said, “It was an amazing season, and we played well for most of the year. It hurts to lose, but we have a lot of pride in our performance.” The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, noted the challenge of managing a roster with injuries and a pandemic‑shaped season, while acknowledging the Blue Jays’ superior depth and execution in the clutch.

The series also brought back memories of the 1999 World Series, when the Blue Jays had won back‑to‑back championships. The franchise’s current roster, which includes a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, proved to be the perfect mix of talent and experience. Analysts noted that the Blue Jays’ bullpen, particularly the left‑handed relievers who dominated in the late innings, had been a major factor in their success.

The Blue Jays’ victory has had ripple effects across MLB. It has sparked a surge in attendance at Rogers Centre, with the 2025 season seeing a 15 % increase in home‑game sales. The Canadian government announced a commemorative coin to celebrate the win, and a national holiday has been proposed for the anniversary of the championship.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jays will aim to build on this success in the 2026 season, with the management focusing on retaining key players and adding depth to their rotation. The 2025 World Series will likely be remembered as a defining moment in Toronto sports history, illustrating how determination, strategy, and a bit of luck can culminate in championship glory.