The Dodgers have been a powerhouse in baseball for over a decade. They have won 2 of the last 5 world series and are looking to win back to back this year. The Blue Jays are widely seen as the underdog this year. Despite having more wins than the Dodgers they lack the star power that the Dodgers thrive off. In New York both teams are hated. Just last year the Dodgers eliminated both the New York Mets and The New York Yankees in the same playoff run. On the other hand the Blue Jays beat the Yankees this year. 

Stand Out Players

Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani: Arguably the most talented player of all time, coming into this world series Ohtani had what is widely considered as the greatest postseason game of all time from an individual. He pitched 6 innings with 10 strikeouts on the mound, at the plate he went 3 for 3 with 3 home runs. Numbers like these have never been done before, especially in a playoff setting. After struggling early in the playoffs, Ohtani will look to carry this momentum into the World Series. 

Freddie Freeman: The reigning world series MVP to no one’s surprise was excellent. Freeman won game 3 for the Dodgers with a towering home run in the bottom of the 18th inning. This home run made Freddie Freeman the only player in World Series history to hit multiple walk off home runs.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto: At only 27 years old Yamamoto is one of the most decorated Japanese pitchers of all time. The 3x pacific league MVP (NPB award) and 3x Sawamura (equivalent to CY young award) award winner has been nothing but spectacular since coming to the MLB. In this World Series Yamamoto had a historic run. He was the first starting pitcher in 10 years to throw a complete game in the World Series, and is the first to throw back to back complete games in the postseason since 2001. After appearing in back to back games to help the Dodgers close the series he won the prestigious World Series MVP.

Mookie Betts: After winning his 4th World Series, Betts is on track to be in the hall of fame. Being a key part of the dynasty the Dodgers have built Betts despite being an MVP caliber player has taken a role as one of the most valuable teammates in baseball. Switching from his primary position, Betts filled a spot of need for the Dodgers and transformed his defensive game to help the team. Though he didn’t have too much impact at the plate his defense this series was phenomenal.

Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. : Coming off an ALCS MVP this superstar 1st basemen was expected to be a force to be reckoned. He delivered with multiple home runs across the entire series while playing elite defense at 1st base. Without Guerrero Jr. the Blue Jays don’t make it to game 7. His impact will go down in Blue Jay’s history.

George Springer: George Springer continued to be one of the best World Series players off all time. Throughout this series you always knew he was going to be a problem at the plate. He had multiple multi-hit games which helped set the Blue Jays up for success. Even with a back injury which took him out of 2 games he was still one of the most impact players on the roster. 

Trey Yesavege: The rising star Yesavege has been excellent this postseason for the Blue Jays. He continued this in the World Series. Despite a shaky start in game 1, he bounced back in game 5 striking out 12 in 7 innings. This game broke records for rookie pitchers in the World Series as he broke the strike out record. 

Ernie Clement: Clement was one of the best players for the Blue Jays. His impact on both sides of the ball was crucial to Blue Jays success. He broke the all time hit record in the postseason and would have had the winning hit in game 7 if not for a crazy play by Pages in center field.

Game Results

• Game 1: The Blue Jays took game one in convincing fashion. Despite giving up the early lead in the first inning they responded and blew the game open with a 9 run inning. Trey Yesavage threw a solid game going 4 innings only surrendering 2 runs. Blake Snell on the Dodgers side struggled. Despite his past dominance Snell couldn’t command the strike zone the way he has in the past and the Blue Jays capitalized on his mistakes. Finishing the game with 5 innings allowing 5 runs Blake Snell will look to have a bounce back game later on. The 9 run 6th inning was one for the ages. Pinch hitter Addison Barger hit a grand slam to open up the game. After that 6th inning the game was essentially over. Even with a 2 run blast by Shohei Ohtani the Dodgers offence struggled to get consistent baserunners. With some excellent pitching from the Blue Jays bullpen the game was over.
  
• Game 2: The Dodgers dominated this game on both sides of the ball. Will Smith in the first inning knocked in a run to get the Dodgers on the board. In the bottom of the first Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto worked his way out of a jam by striking out superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a crucial moment. From there despite the Blue Jays tying the game on a sac fly in the 3rd Yamamoto was outright dominant. He pitched all 9 innings striking out 8 only surrendering 1 run. This was his second consecutive complete game this postseason. The Dodgers offence finally woke up in the 7th inning scoring 2 runs from Will Smith and Max Muncy home-run. They followed this up by another 2 runs in the 8th closing out this game 5 Dodgers 1 Blue Jays.
• Game 3: This game was one for the ages. Tied for the longest World Series game of all time, going 18 innings the Dodgers narrowly won this game. The future hall of farmers were on full display last night. Shohei Ohtani went 4 for 4 reaching base 9 times. In his 4 hits he had 2 doubles and 2 homers. Max Scherzer for the Blue Jays threw a solid 4 innings only surrendering 2 runs. In his likely last appearance in his hall of fame career, 37 year old Clayton Kershaw got an emotional nerve racking out that got the Dodgers out of a bases loaded jam. Freddie Freeman for a second year in a row hits a walk off home run in the world series. This year in the 18th inning, but nonetheless it was an iconic moment. This was truly a generational game, both teams using every player to their fullest. The Dodgers used every single reliever in their bullpen with multiple throwing consecutive innings. The Blue Jays used all possible substitutions in an attempt to win. This game crucially gives the Dodgers going into game 4. With superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound for the Dodgers they are the heavy favorites to win which would put them at a 3-1 lead. The Dodgers could win the series in L.A without stepping foot in Toronto again.

• Game 4: Unlike the previous game this one was much simpler. The Blue Jays Dominated. The Blue Jays responded to the 18 inning loss by playing 9 clean innings in a 6 to 2 win over the Dodgers. Highlighted by an excellent outing by Shane Bieber and a 2 run blast by Vladdy, this commanding win brought the Blue Jays right back into this series.
• Game 5: Another dominant win by the Blue Jays putting them ahead in the series 3-2. Led by an all time Trey Yesavage outing the Blue Jays cruised to a 6 to 1 win over the Dodgers. Yesavage pitched 7 innings only allowing 1 run while striking out 12. The Dodgers this game really struggled to get the offence going and only got 4 hits across 9 innings. This game started in eventful fashion with the Blue Jays hitting 2 home-runs back to back in only 3 pitches. This was the first game in World Series history that started with back to back home-runs. Now that the Blue Jays have the lead they only need one win in Toronto to secure the series win.
• Game 6: Another masterclass from Yamamoto sent the series to game 7. When his team needed him most he showed up pitched flawlessly. Even with the offensive struggles the Dodgers won this game through dominant pitching from multiple guys. After Yamamoto went 6 strong Wrobleski, Sasaki, and Glasnow closed out the rest of the game. But, not without any controversy. In the 9th inning when the Blue Jays were down 1 run Addison Barger sent a missile into left center that looked like it was guaranteed to score the runner who was on first base. However, the ball got lodged between the wall padding and the ground. This was ruled a ground rule double placing the runners on 2nd and 3rd. This would change the course of the game as both runners were stranded after a great double play by Kike Hernández and Miguel Rojas. Both teams will be using all means necessary to win in game 7 and win the World Series.

• Game 7: In Dodgers Triumph in one of the best games and series of all time. Shohei Ohtani started on the mound for the Dodgers. But, it didn’t last long. After giving up an electric 3 run home run to Bo Bichette in the 3rd inning the Dodgers turned to Wrobleski to shut down the Jays. The Dodgers slowly fought back into the game in the next few innings with 2 sac flies making the score 3 to 2 Blue Jays. After the Blue Jays tacked on another run against Tyler Glasnow they looked sure to win. But, a Max Muncy home run in the 8th brought the score back to a 1 run difference. In the 9th inning unexpected hero Miguel Rojas in only his second game of the World Series hits a game tying home run off Jeff Hoffman with 2 outs to go. In the bottom of the inning, now Dodgers legend Yamamoto despite throwing 96 pitches the day before goes into pitch. With the bases loaded Miguel Rojas continued to impact the game making a great defensive play to keep the game tied. Yamamoto looked like he was going to get out of the inning clean but then Ernie Clement sent a ball deep in the gap. Defensive replacement Andy Pages denies him a game winning hit running over his teammate while making a spectacular catch. In the top of the 11th inning Will Smith hits a go-ahead home run to put the Dodgers in a position to win the series. Yamamoto closes out the game with Mookie Betts making a nice double play. Yamamoto wins the World Series MVP with 3 wins in the series. He is the first pitcher to accomplish this since Randy Johnson in 2004 when the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees. With the World Series ending, the Dodgers parade will be happening in L.A.

Summary

This series will go down in history as one of the best ever. With the Dodgers winning back to back World Series they have cemented themselves as the dynasty of this decade. With the team retaining all their best players they will look to 3 peat. This off-season will be interesting for all baseball fans. Will the Dodgers add to their superstar team? How will the Blue Jays come back after such a heartbreaking loss? Baseball fans will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see every move of their favorite team.