Dodger Stadium was filled with anticipation on Wednesday night, but the cheers quickly turned to pleas as the team struggled to ignite its maddening offense. Throughout the month, the Dodgers' lineup seemed off-kilter, and in Game 5 of the World Series, they found themselves stifled by Toronto Blue Jays rookie sensation Trey Yesavage. In the bottom of the seventh inning, a glimmer of hope emerged when Teoscar Hernández hit an infield single, bringing the Dodgers back into contention. With the team trailing by four runs, the capacity crowd at Chavez Ravine rose to its feet, eagerly anticipating a comeback. However, after seven pitches and an inning-ending double play, the excitement fizzled out, and silence enveloped the stadium for good.
The final score of 6-1 not only handed the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead in the series but also showcased the Dodgers' troubling and familiar identity at the plate. Striking out 12 times against Yesavage over seven dazzling innings, the Dodgers appeared passive and unable to adjust to his formidable three-pitch arsenal. This performance echoed the worst traits they displayed during their inconsistent regular season, surfacing at the most critical moment. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the team's precarious situation, stating, “Right now, we’re at elimination. We’ve got to kind of wipe the slate clean.”
Earlier in October, the Dodgers seemed to have turned a corner, dominating the postseason by winning nine of their first ten games. Their combination of historic starting pitching, opportunistic offense, and solid bullpen performance made them favorites in the Fall Classic against the Blue Jays. However, after scoring just four runs in their last 29 innings, the team's offensive issues escalated into a full-blown crisis. The pressure intensified even before the game began when the Dodgers announced a significantly altered Game 5 lineup. Slumping shortstop Mookie Betts was moved from the second spot to third, while Will Smith ascended to bat behind Shohei Ohtani. In a tactical shift, Andy Pages was benched, making way for the more contact-oriented Alex Call.
Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers' first baseman, expressed confidence before the game, noting, “We have faced so much adversity throughout the course of this year that we’re ready for it. Hopefully, as an offense, we can bounce back and put up better at-bats and get going. Because that’s who we are.” However, the question of “who the Dodgers are” lingered, as their offensive approach appeared disjointed. They oscillated between aggressive swings and cautiousness against breaking pitches, resulting in a dismal .201 batting average in the World Series and a particularly painful showing in Games 4 and 5, where they managed only 10 hits in 61 at-bats and failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position.
Wednesday's game began on a sour note for the Dodgers as ace Blake Snell allowed back-to-back home runs within the first three pitches—marking the first time in World Series history that a team opened the game with two long balls. This early setback highlighted the Blue Jays' strategic approach, as their offense capitalized on Snell's previous struggles with his fastball. Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took advantage of this opportunity, setting the tone for the game.
As the game progressed, the Dodgers faced Yesavage for the second time this series. The plan was to be patient and wait for him to throw mistakes, but Yesavage effectively used his late-breaking splitter and tailing slider to keep the Dodgers off balance. He executed his pitches with precision, landing his splitter in the zone early in counts and limiting the Dodgers’ chances to take aggressive swings. Yesavage's dominance was evident as he recorded 12 strikeouts, breaking the record for a rookie pitcher in the World Series, and kept the Dodgers to just three hits.
In addition to offensive struggles, the Dodgers’ defense and relief pitching added to their woes. Although Snell managed to settle down after the initial home runs, his infield failed to convert double plays, leading to increased pitch counts. An ill-fated sliding attempt by Teoscar Hernández on a liner down the right-field line turned a single into a triple, allowing the Blue Jays to score and negating Kiké Hernández’s earlier home run.
The final blow came in the seventh inning when Snell, unable to continue with a pitch count of 116, handed the ball to reliever Edgardo Henriquez, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Anthony Banda, entering in the eighth, further compounded the situation by yielding another run. With their season on the line and their offensive frustrations boiling over, the Dodgers faced a daunting challenge ahead.
As the Dodgers grapple with their offensive identity and struggle to adapt their game plan, they find themselves on the brink of elimination in the World Series. The combination of poor performance at the plate, defensive lapses, and failure to execute their strategy has put them in a precarious position. As they prepare for the next game, the focus will be on overcoming these challenges and rediscovering the rhythm that once made them postseason favorites.
