Everyone knows the World Series is where legends are born, but who won the world series first game in 2025 was a story nobody actually predicted. Seriously. If you had told me a pinch-hitter with limited postseason experience would rewrite the record books in a single swing, I’d have said you’re dreaming.
But that's exactly what happened on October 24, 2025. The Toronto Blue Jays didn't just win; they absolutely dismantled the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 11-4 blowout that left the Rogers Centre shaking. It wasn't always a sure thing, though. Early on, it looked like the Dodgers were going to steamroll their way to a 1-0 lead.
The Blowout at Rogers Centre
The game started as a classic pitcher’s duel—sorta. Blake Snell was on the mound for LA, looking every bit like the ace he is. By the third inning, the Dodgers had a 2-0 lead thanks to some gritty RBI singles from Kiké Hernández and Will Smith. Toronto’s rookie starter, Trey Yesavage, was sweating. He was struggling to find his splitter, and for a minute there, it felt like the stage might be too big for the kid.
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Then came the fourth. Daulton Varsho, who had been a vacuum in the outfield all year, decided to show off his power. He crushed a game-tying, two-run homer off Snell. That was the first hit Snell had given up to a left-handed batter all postseason. The momentum shifted. You could feel it in the building.
The Inning That Changed Everything
If you're asking who won the world series first game, the real answer is "the Toronto offense in the sixth inning." It was historic. It was chaotic. It was basically a nightmare for Dave Roberts and the Dodgers bullpen.
- The Collapse: Snell lost his command, hitting a batter and walking another.
- The Reliever Trap: Emmet Sheehan came in to put out the fire but instead, he poured gasoline on it.
- The History Maker: With the bases loaded, John Schneider made the gutsy call to bring in Addison Barger to pinch-hit for Davis Schneider.
Barger did something no one in the history of the Fall Classic had ever done: he hit a pinch-hit grand slam. A 413-foot rocket to right-center. The crowd of 44,353 went absolutely berserk. By the time the dust settled on that sixth inning, the Jays had put up nine runs. Nine! That’s the most productive offensive inning in the World Series since way back in 1968.
Beyond the Box Score: Why the Dodgers Faltered
Honestly, the Dodgers' pitching strategy just imploded. They had been leaning heavily on their starters all October, hoping to hide a bullpen that was, frankly, a bit leaky. When Snell couldn't get through the sixth, the "formula" broke.
Shohei Ohtani did what Ohtani does, hitting a two-run shot in the seventh to make it 11-4, but it was too little, too late. Even the greatest player on the planet can’t overcome a nine-run deficit single-handedly. Alejandro Kirk also stayed red-hot, going 3-for-3 with a home run of his own. Kirk’s ability to "fight every pitch," as he put it after the game, is exactly why this Jays lineup was so dangerous.
Key Stats from Game 1
- Final Score: Blue Jays 11, Dodgers 4
- Winning Pitcher: Seranthony Domínguez (who came in for relief and stabilized the middle innings)
- Losing Pitcher: Blake Snell
- The Big Moment: Addison Barger’s grand slam (First pinch-hit slam in WS history)
What This Meant for the Rest of the Series
While Toronto took that first game with an exclamation point, the 2025 World Series was far from over. If you followed the rest of the week, you know the Dodgers aren't a team that stays down. They actually bounced back to take the series to a full seven games.
Ultimately, the Dodgers ended up winning the title in Game 7 on November 1st, clinching a 5-4 victory in 11 innings. It’s wild to think about. Toronto won the first game in a historic blowout, but LA won the war. It just goes to show that in baseball, Game 1 is a statement, but Game 7 is the legacy.
Actionable Insights for Baseball Fans
If you're looking back at this game to understand how to analyze future matchups, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Pitch Count: Blake Snell was dominant until he wasn't. Fatigue in the late innings of the postseason is a real killer.
- Bench Depth Wins Games: Addison Barger wasn't even in the starting lineup. In the playoffs, your 26th man is just as important as your superstar.
- Momentum is a Myth (Mostly): Winning Game 1 by seven runs feels like you'll sweep the series, but the Dodgers proved that a resilient bullpen and a short memory are more valuable than one big win.
Keep an eye on the "pesky" hitters like Alejandro Kirk. Those guys who don't strike out and force nine-pitch at-bats are the ones who wear down elite pitching and create those big-inning explosions.