The lights at Dodger Stadium didn’t just stay on; they practically became permanent fixtures of the Los Angeles skyline. If you fell asleep on your couch and woke up wondering who won game three of the world series, you aren't alone. It was a marathon. Actually, it was two games packed into one, ending in a way that feels scripted for a Hollywood movie, which is fitting given the zip code.
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in a staggering 18 innings.
It took six hours and 39 minutes. By the time the final ball cleared the fence, it was nearly 3:00 AM on the East Coast. Fans who started the game with dinner were finishing it with a very early breakfast. This wasn't just a win; it was a test of human endurance for the players, the managers, and anyone brave enough to stay in their seats until the bitter end.
The Moment Freddie Freeman Ended the Night
Everyone is talking about Freddie Freeman. Again.
There’s something about the World Series that turns Freeman into a literal machine. In the bottom of the 18th inning, with the score knotted at 5-5 and the bullpens of both teams running on fumes, Freeman stepped up to the plate. The Blue Jays had Brendon Little on the mound. Little was Toronto’s eighth pitcher of the night.
Freeman didn't wait around. He saw a pitch he liked and absolutely crushed a walk-off solo home run. It was his second walk-off homer in World Series history, making him the only player to ever do that. Imagine the pressure. You’ve been playing baseball for over six hours, your legs feel like lead, and you still have the bat speed to send a ball into the California night.
The stadium erupted, but it was a weird kind of energy—half pure ecstasy, half "thank God we can finally go home."
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A Record-Breaking Night in Los Angeles
This game didn't just feel long; it was historically significant. By going 18 innings, it tied the record for the longest game in World Series history. Ironically, the only other time this happened was also at Dodger Stadium back in 2018 against the Red Sox.
The sheer volume of baseball played was staggering:
- 19 pitchers were used in total (9 for LA, 10 for Toronto).
- 609 pitches were thrown across both sides.
- Shohei Ohtani reached base nine times, a postseason record.
Ohtani was a force of nature early on. He went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two home runs before the Blue Jays decided they had seen enough. They walked him five times after that. Four of those were intentional. It’s a level of respect that borderlines on fear, and honestly, you can't blame Toronto manager John Schneider. You don't let the best player on the planet beat you if you can help it.
Why the Blue Jays are Reeling After Game Three
Losing a game like this is a psychological gut punch. Toronto had their chances. They really did.
Early on, it looked like the Jays might run away with it. Alejandro Kirk hit a massive three-run homer in the fourth inning off Tyler Glasnow. That blast turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead and silenced the home crowd for a bit. Kirk has been arguably Toronto's most consistent hitter this series, often overshadowed by the bigger names like Vlad Jr. and Bo Bichette.
But the Dodgers kept clawing back. Every time Toronto took a lead, LA found a way to level it.
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The Bullpen Heroes Nobody Noticed
While Freeman gets the headlines, the Dodgers’ bullpen won this game. They threw 13.1 innings of one-run ball. Think about that for a second. That is more than a full game's worth of outs provided entirely by relievers.
Will Klein was the unsung hero. He threw four scoreless innings at the very end when the Dodgers literally had no one else left to call. If Klein gives up a single run, the game is over, and Toronto takes a 2-1 series lead. Instead, he held the line long enough for the offense to finally wake up.
Even Clayton Kershaw made a cameo. The future Hall of Famer, who is expected to retire after this season, came out of the pen in the 12th inning with the bases loaded. He got Nathan Lukes to ground out on a high-stress 92 mph fastball. It was a vintage "heart-in-your-throat" Kershaw moment that reminded everyone why he’s a legend.
The High Cost of an 18-Inning Game
Victory comes at a price. The Dodgers now lead the series 2-1, but both rosters are physically spent.
Toronto lost George Springer in the seventh inning to "right side discomfort." He tweaked something on a swing and had to be pulled. For a team already missing parts of its core due to nagging injuries, losing Springer’s veteran presence at the top of the lineup is a disaster.
Then there’s the pitching. Both teams used every reliable arm they had. In a best-of-seven series, there is no "off day" to recover from a six-hour game. The managers now have to figure out who can even pick up a ball for Game 4.
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What History Says About Game Three Winners
If you’re a Dodgers fan, you’re feeling good. Statistically, when a series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 goes on to win the World Series about 69% of the time.
It’s not just about the math, though. It’s about momentum. Toronto put everything they had into that 18-inning battle. To play that long, use that many pitchers, and still come up short? That’s the kind of loss that can break a team’s spirit.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Series
If you're following the rest of this matchup, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Pitching Rotations: Expect "bullpen games" or very short starts in Game 4 and 5. Neither team has fresh arms left.
- The Ohtani Factor: Now that Toronto has shown they will walk Ohtani nearly every time, look for Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman to see better pitches. They are the ones who will actually decide the series now.
- Bench Depth Matters: With injuries mounting (like Springer), the "utility guys" are going to get high-leverage at-bats. Watch for players like Tommy Edman or Ty France to make a surprise impact.
The Dodgers took a massive step toward another title, but after 18 innings, nobody is celebrating too hard yet. They’re mostly just trying to find a place to nap.
Go check the injury reports for George Springer before setting any fantasy lineups or placing bets. His availability changes the entire dynamic of the Toronto outfield. Also, keep an eye on who the Dodgers announce as the Game 4 starter; it’s likely going to be a "committee" approach given how much the bullpen was taxed.