Background on Key Players and Teams
The Los Angeles Dodgers currently hold a 2-1 advantage in the World Series 2025 after an unprecedented Game 3 that set new records in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. The game, played on Monday, October 28th, lasted a remarkable 18 innings, tying the record for the longest World Series game ever.
The previous longest World Series game occurred on October 26, 2018, during Game 3 between the Boston Red Sox and the Dodgers themselves. That game also went to 18 innings but concluded after seven hours and twenty minutes. The Dodgers’ victory over the Blue Jays on this Monday took slightly less time, concluding in six hours and thirty-nine minutes.
Approximately 52,654 fans gathered at the Dodger Stadium to witness this historic event, as only four World Series games have ever extended to 14 innings or more throughout history.
Game Recap and Key Moments
From the start, the Dodgers took the lead with a home run by Teoscar Hernandez in the second inning. Shohei Ohtani then extended their advantage to 2-0 with another home run in the third, igniting Angeleno enthusiasm.
- Blue Jays’ response: In the fourth inning, Alejandro Kirk hit a home run, allowing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to score, narrowing the gap to 2-4 after an Andrés Giménez sacrifice bunt and Addison Barger’s RBI.
- Historical significance: Alejandro Kirk not only revived the Blue Jays but also etched his name in MLB history. He equalized the record of five home runs by a catcher in postseason play, now shared with Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners, 2025) and Sandy Alomar Jr. (Cleveland Guardians, 1997).
- Mexican representation: Kirk, born in Tijuana, tied the record for most home runs by a Mexican-born player in postseason play, previously held by Vinicio Castilla. He also leads Mexican-born players in postseason RBIs with 13, surpassing Vinny Castilla’s 12.
Despite Kirk’s impressive performance, the Blue Jays couldn’t secure a win in Game 3. The Dodgers tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning with a double from Ohtani, allowing Enrique Hernandez to score. Freddie Freeman followed with a single, scoring Ohtani and making the score 5-4.
In the seventh inning, the Blue Jays took a 4-5 lead with Bo Bichette’s single scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, Ohtani responded with another home run, tying the game at 5-5.
Ohtani now shares the team lead for home runs in a single postseason with eight, tying him with Corey Seager (2020) and placing him second among all teams in postseason home runs, behind Randy Arozarena’s record 10 with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020.
Looking Ahead: Dodgers’ Chance to Clinch World Series Title
With a 2-1 lead, the Dodgers have opportunities on Tuesday and Wednesday to clinch the World Series 2025 title at home, as Games 4 and 5 will also be played at the Dodger Stadium.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, need to win at least one of these games to keep their championship hopes alive and force the series back to Toronto for Game 6 or even a Game 7.
According to MLB statistics, 60.4% of teams that led by two games after Game 3 in the World Series have gone on to win the championship. The Dodgers aim to leverage this statistic and retain the trophy they won in 2024.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What was the duration of Game 3 in the World Series 2025? A: Game 3 lasted a record-breaking 18 innings, tying the longest World Series game ever.
- Q: Who set a new postseason record for home runs by a catcher? A: Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays equaled the record with five home runs, now shared with Cal Raleigh and Sandy Alomar Jr.
- Q: How many home runs did Shohei Ohtani hit in Game 3? A: Ohtani hit two home runs in the game, contributing to a postseason record of eight homers, tying him with Corey Seager (2020) for the Dodgers’ team lead.
- Q: What is the historical probability of a team clinching the World Series title after leading by two games following Game 3? A: According to MLB statistics, 60.4% of teams that led by two games after Game 3 in the World Series have gone on to win the championship.
