Dodgers on Brink of World Series Collapse After Game 5 Loss, Trail Series 3, 2

For the first time in the 2025 postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves on the brink of elimination, staring down a hole that may be too deep to climb out of. After a Game 4 filled with offensive struggles and bullpen issues, Game 5 offered a near replay of the same frustrations. With a chance to seize control of the series heading back to Toronto, Los Angeles turned to Blake Snell on Wednesday night in hopes of swinging the momentum back in their favor.

Toronto wasted no time setting the tone. Leadoff hitter Davis Schneider opened the game with a first-pitch home run into the left-field pavilion. Just two pitches later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a blast of his own, launching a fastball deep into the Dodgers’ bullpen. It marked the first time in World Series history that a game began with back-to-back home runs. The Blue Jays’ offense didn’t stop there, adding a run in the fourth, two more in the seventh, and another in the eighth to cap off a six-run night.

Snell, who had struggled with command in Game 1, endured a similar fate in Game 5. He exited with two outs in the sixth inning, charged with five earned runs. His inability to locate pitches allowed Toronto to consistently capitalize, forcing the Dodgers to rely on their already overworked bullpen.

Despite lineup changes intended to spark production, the Dodgers’ offensive woes persisted. Kiké Hernández provided the only highlight, a solo home run in the third inning that briefly cut the deficit to 2, 1. That would be the lone run Los Angeles managed all night. Toronto rookie Trey Yesavage dominated the Dodgers’ lineup, allowing just one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out 12, a new World Series record for a rookie starting pitcher.

After the 6, 1 loss, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the uphill battle ahead. “We’ve been in elimination games before with a core group of these guys,” Roberts said. “We’ve got to make some adjustments and find a way to win a game. That’s it.”

Looking to extend their season, the Dodgers will turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 6. The right-hander, who threw a complete game gem in Game 2, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. His dominant performance in last year’s Division Series Game 5 against San Diego propelled the Dodgers to the NLCS, and he’ll need to summon that same composure to keep Los Angeles’ championship hopes alive.Yamamoto’s mindset heading into Game 6 is laser-focused. “That’s probably the only thing in my mind right now,” he said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “Just focusing on getting this win in Game 6.”

The Dodgers now face elimination as the World Series returns to Toronto, trailing three games to two, their margin for error gone, and their season on the line.