The Dodgers are champions. Los Angeles outlasted Toronto in an epic Game 7 showdown. Will Smith delivered the game-winning swing and homered in the 11th inning to give the Dodgers their first lead, which they would not relinquish. Yoshinobu Yamamotowho threw on no rest after throwing 96 pitches Friday, closed out the win. Unsurprisingly, this all-time performance earned Yamamoto the Series MVP award.
LA becomes the first team to repeat as champions since the Yankees in 2000. New York won three consecutive titles (1998-2000). It is the ninth World Series title for the Dodgers, which puts them in a tie for third place behind the Athletics and Cardinals. It is their third title in the past six seasons.
Miguel Rojasan unlikely World Series hero, saved LA’s season in the ninth inning. The lightweight shortstop yanked one Jeff Hoffman slide over the left field wall to tie the game. Rojas entered the game with one home run since the All-Star break. He joined Bill Mazeroski as the only players in World Series history to hit a game-tying or go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later in a winner-take-all game (h/t ESPN’s Jesse Rogers).
Rojas’ heroics allowed Yamamoto to do something just as special. After a complete game win in Game 2 and a quality start in Game 6, the ace entered the bottom of the ninth inning with two runners on. He hit Alejandro Kirk with a pitch to load the bases, but wobbled out of the jam. Defensive sub Andy Pages jumped over teammate Enrique Hernández to catch up one Ernie Clemens drive to send the game to overtime. Yamamoto then cruised through the 10th inning before running into trouble in the 11th frame. With runners on first and third base and one out, he coaxed a double play grounder from Kirk to end the game.
Toronto was in control for much of the game. Shohei Ohtanipitching on three days’ rest, worked through the first two innings. After George Springer a single to start the third frame, Nathan Lucas sacrificed him for second place. Ohtani was then walked intentionally Vladimir Guerrero Jr.before you hang a slider on it Bo Bichette deposited into center field for a three-run homer. The Blue Jays had several opportunities to extend their lead, including a leadoff double in the eighth inning, but were unable to capitalize.
The Blue Jays came out swinging in the Fall Classic, exploding for nine runs in the sixth inning to win Game 1 in blowout fashion. A dominant performance from Yamamoto evened the series, with LA then taking a 2-1 lead Freddie Vrijman walked out of Game 3 in the 18th inning. Toronto rebounded to win Game 4 and Game 5 after a strong start Shane Bieber And Trey Yesavagerespectively. Yamamoto cruised again in Game 6, pushing the series to the limit. Game 7 delivered an instant classic.
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