World Series Game 4 delivered redemption for the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night, as they dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 at Dodger Stadium to even the Fall Classic at two games apiece. Just hours after enduring a heartbreaking 18-inning marathon that ended at 3 AM Eastern Time, the Blue Jays showed remarkable resilience to dismantle the defending champions and guarantee the series will return to Toronto for at least a Game 6.
World Series Game 4 Final Score and Key Highlights
Final Score: Toronto Blue Jays 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 2
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 52,487
Game Time: 3 hours, 12 minutes
Series: Tied 2-2 (Best-of-seven)
The victory was a complete team effort from Toronto, featuring dominant pitching from starter Shane Bieber, timely hitting led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two-run home run, and lockdown relief work from Chris Bassitt and the Blue Jays bullpen. The Dodgers, meanwhile, looked exhausted from Monday night’s 6-hour, 39-minute epic, managing just two runs despite Shohei Ohtani taking the mound in a historic dual-role performance.
Related: Complete World Series Schedule and Standings
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Sets the Tone Early
The difference-maker in World Series Game 4 came in the bottom of the third inning when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched a towering two-run home run off Shohei Ohtani to give Toronto a 2-0 lead they would never relinquish.
Guerrero’s blast, which traveled an estimated 412 feet to left-center field, was his second home run of the postseason and came at a crucial moment. After Bo Bichette worked a walk to lead off the inning, Guerrero jumped on a first-pitch fastball from Ohtani and crushed it into the Dodgers bullpen.
The 26-year-old first baseman has been one of Toronto’s most consistent performers this October, batting .294 with 7 RBIs through four World Series games. His ability to deliver in high-leverage situations has been crucial for a Blue Jays lineup that has struggled with runners in scoring position throughout the series.
After the game, Guerrero expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win the championship. “We knew we had to bounce back tonight,” he said through an interpreter. “That game last night was tough, but we’re fighters. Now we go back home with a chance to win it all.”
Player Analysis: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Career Statistics and Highlights
Shane Bieber Delivers Masterful World Series Debut
Making his first career World Series start, Shane Bieber turned in a gem that gave the Blue Jays’ depleted bullpen exactly what they needed. The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out six Dodgers batters.
Bieber’s performance was particularly impressive given the circumstances. After Toronto’s bullpen threw 12 innings in Monday night’s 18-inning affair, manager John Schneider desperately needed length from his starter. Bieber delivered, throwing 89 pitches (58 strikes) and keeping the Dodgers off-balance with his trademark curveball and cutter combination.
Shane Bieber World Series Game 4 Stats:
- Innings Pitched: 5.1
- Hits Allowed: 3
- Runs: 1 (earned)
- Strikeouts: 6
- Walks: 2
- Pitch Count: 89 (58 strikes)
The former Cy Young Award winner has now made four postseason starts in 2025, and the Blue Jays have won three of them. With Toronto holding a 2-1 lead when he exited in the sixth inning, Bieber proved once again why he’s one of baseball’s premier big-game pitchers.
Bieber became a free agent at the end of this season after declining his player option, and performances like Tuesday night’s will only enhance his value on the open market. He joins an impressive free agent class that includes Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suárez.
Pitching Breakdown: Shane Bieber Advanced Pitching Statistics
Shohei Ohtani’s Historic But Ineffective Dual Performance
The most anticipated storyline entering World Series Game 4 was Shohei Ohtani taking the mound less than 24 hours after his record-setting offensive performance. The three-time MVP had reached base nine times in Monday night’s 18-inning classic, including four extra-base hits (two home runs, two doubles) and five walks in one of the greatest individual World Series performances ever.
But attempting to pitch on zero rest proved too much, even for baseball’s most extraordinary athlete. Ohtani lasted just 6 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while walking three and striking out five. His fastball velocity, which typically sits at 97-99 mph, was down to 94-96 mph throughout his outing—a clear sign of fatigue from Monday’s marathon.
Shohei Ohtani Game 4 Pitching Line:
- Innings: 6.1
- Hits: 8
- Runs: 6 (5 earned)
- Earned Runs: 5
- Strikeouts: 5
- Walks: 3
- Home Runs Allowed: 1 (Guerrero)
The Blue Jays clearly had a better game plan against Ohtani the pitcher compared to Ohtani the hitter. Toronto’s batters were patient, working deep counts and forcing the two-way star to throw 102 pitches before manager Dave Roberts pulled him with one out in the seventh inning.
According to CBS Sports , Ohtani’s decision to pitch on such short rest was controversial even within the Dodgers organization. However, with Los Angeles’ pitching staff also depleted from the 18-inning game, Roberts felt he had no choice but to use his ace in this pivotal Game 4.
Player Feature: Shohei Ohtani Complete Career Statistics
The Aftermath of Game 3’s 18-Inning Epic
Monday night’s World Series Game 3 will go down as one of the most memorable games in baseball history. The contest, which matched the longest World Series game ever at 18 innings, lasted 6 hours and 39 minutes before Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run gave the Dodgers a 6-5 victory at 3:02 AM Eastern Time.
The game featured extraordinary performances from both teams, but none more impressive than Ohtani’s historic night at the plate. He went 4-for-4 with two home runs, two doubles, three RBIs, three runs scored, and drew five walks—reaching base in nine consecutive plate appearances. His four extra-base hits tied a World Series record that had stood since 1906.
For the Blue Jays, the loss was devastating but the pitching toll was even worse. Toronto used eight relievers for a combined 12 innings, leaving their bullpen in tatters heading into Game 4. Pitchers like Mason Fluharty, Jeff Hoffman, and Tim Mayza each threw 30+ pitches and were unavailable Tuesday night.
That made Shane Bieber’s quality start all the more crucial. By giving Toronto 5 1/3 solid innings, Bieber allowed manager John Schneider to navigate the middle innings with just two relievers before turning to closer Louis Varland in the ninth.
Game Recap: Complete Game 3 Recap and Highlights
Toronto’s Explosive Seventh Inning Seals Victory
While Guerrero’s early home run gave Toronto the lead, it was a four-run explosion in the seventh inning that put the game out of reach and silenced the Dodger Stadium crowd of 52,487.
The rally started innocuously with a leadoff single from Andrés Giménez, followed by a walk to Addison Barger. After Alejandro Kirk struck out, Daulton Varsho delivered a clutch RBI single to make it 3-1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa then grounded into what appeared to be an inning-ending double play, but the relay throw was late, allowing another run to score and keeping the inning alive at 4-1.
That proved costly for Los Angeles, as Myles Straw followed with an RBI single, and George Springer—playing despite dealing with right side discomfort from Game 3’s marathon—ripped a double down the left field line to plate another run. When the dust settled, Toronto had sent nine batters to the plate and built a commanding 6-1 advantage.
The four-run frame was exactly the kind of offensive outburst the Blue Jays had been searching for all series. Toronto entered Game 4 having left multiple runners on base in scoring position 11 different times across the first three games without driving in a run. The seventh-inning rally finally broke that drought and gave the Blue Jays’ pitching staff the cushion they needed.
According to Baseball Reference , the seven-run victory margin was Toronto’s largest of the postseason and gave them crucial momentum heading into Game 5.
Chris Bassitt’s Postseason Dominance Continues
One of the unsung heroes of Toronto’s World Series run has been veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt, who has reinvented himself as a shutdown reliever after missing the final two weeks of the regular season and the ALDS with a back injury.
In World Series Game 4, Bassitt entered in the seventh inning and delivered two perfect frames, retiring all six batters he faced and lowering his postseason ERA to 0.00. Over 5 2/3 innings across four playoff appearances, Bassitt has allowed zero hits and zero runs while striking out seven.
The performance is particularly remarkable considering Bassitt pitched on back-to-back nights for the first time in his 11-year career. He threw a scoreless eighth inning Monday night in the 18-inning marathon, then came back Tuesday to dominate the Dodgers over the seventh and eighth innings.
“Chris has been unbelievable for us,” manager John Schneider said after the game. “He’s a starter by trade, but he’s embraced this bullpen role and given us huge innings when we’ve needed them most.”
Bassitt will become a free agent after the World Series, and his postseason performance has dramatically increased his market value. While he’ll likely return to a starting role in 2026, his ability to contribute in high-leverage relief situations makes him an especially attractive option for contending teams.
Pitching Analysis: Chris Bassitt Advanced Pitching Metrics
Dodgers’ Offensive Struggles Beyond Ohtani
One of the most glaring storylines through four World Series games has been the Los Angeles Dodgers’ inability to generate offense beyond Shohei Ohtani. While the three-time MVP has been phenomenal—batting .524 with four home runs and nine RBIs—the rest of the lineup has been anemic.
According to statistics compiled during World Series Game 4, Dodgers hitters besides Ohtani are batting just .200 with 14 total hits in 70 at-bats across four World Series games. Mookie Betts, normally the team’s second-best hitter, is hitting just .220 (9-for-41) with only three RBIs in 12 postseason games.
The struggles have been particularly pronounced with runners in scoring position. In World Series Game 4, Los Angeles had just two at-bats with runners in scoring position all night—an astonishing statistic given they played a full nine-inning game. The lack of timely hitting has put enormous pressure on the pitching staff, which has largely kept the Dodgers competitive despite the offensive drought.
Freddie Freeman, who delivered Monday night’s walk-off home run, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Game 4. Teoscar Hernández, acquired specifically for his postseason experience, is batting just .182 (4-for-22) in the World Series Game 4.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the offensive issues after the game. “We’re getting great at-bats from Shohei, but we need other guys to step up,” Roberts said. “Mookie, Freddie, Teoscar—these are championship-caliber players. We need them to produce like it.”
Team Statistics Complete MLB Team Batting Statistics
Series Now Tied 2-2: What’s Next?
With Toronto’s convincing World Series Game 4 victory, the 2025 World Series is deadlocked at two games apiece, setting up a pivotal Game 5 Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. The series is now a best-of-three, with the Blue Jays holding home-field advantage for the potential final two games.
Remaining World Series Schedule:
Game 5: Wednesday, October 29, 8:00 PM ET at Dodger Stadium
Probable Pitchers: Blake Snell (LAD) vs. Trey Yesavage (TOR)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, October 31, 8:00 PM ET at Rogers Centre
Probable Pitchers: TBD vs. TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): Saturday, November 1, 8:00 PM ET at Rogers Centre
Probable Pitchers: TBD vs. TBD
Game 5 will feature a rematch of the Game 1 starting pitchers, with Los Angeles sending left-hander Blake Snell to the mound against Toronto’s Trey Yesavage. Snell struggled in his World Series debut, allowing four runs over 4 2/3 innings in the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss. Yesavage was even worse, surrendering five runs in just 3 1/3 innings.
Both teams will be hoping for better performances from their aces, as bullpen management will be crucial with the series potentially extending to six or seven games.
Historical data shows that teams winning Game 4 to tie a series 2-2 go on to win the championship 52.3% of the time—essentially a coin flip. However, Toronto’s home-field advantage for potential Games 6 and 7 could prove decisive.
The Blue Jays are 7-1 at Rogers Centre this postseason, including a 4-0 record against American League opponents. If they can steal Game 5 in Los Angeles, they’ll return home needing just one victory in two chances to capture their first World Series championship since 1993.
Betting Odds: Latest World Series Championship Odds and Predictions
Key Injuries and Roster Updates
George Springer (Toronto): The Blue Jays outfielder played through right side discomfort that stems from Monday night’s 18-inning marathon. Springer went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Game 4 but appeared to be moving gingerly between innings. Manager John Schneider said after the game that Springer is “day-to-day” but expects him to be available for Game 5.
Max Muncy (Los Angeles): The Dodgers first baseman is dealing with lower back stiffness after playing the full 18 innings Monday night. Muncy went 1-for-4 with a double in Game 4 and should be fine for Game 5.
Bullpen Availability: Both teams will have most of their relievers available for Game 5 after Toronto’s starters provided 5+ innings in Games 3 and 4. The exception is Dodgers closer Evan Phillips, who threw 2 1/3 innings Monday and is unlikely to pitch Wednesday.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The Blue Jays’ dominant performance in Game 4 sent Toronto into a frenzy, with #BlueJays trending on Twitter/X throughout the game and remaining the top trending topic in Canada for several hours after the final out.
Canadian celebrities, athletes, and politicians took to social media to celebrate the victory. Drake posted a photo of himself wearing a Blue Jays jersey with the caption “WE NOT DONE YET.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his support, writing “What a performance by our @BlueJays! Bring it home to Canada!”
In Los Angeles, the mood was considerably more somber. The Dodger Stadium crowd, which had been electric during Monday night’s walk-off victory, was quiet for most of Game 4 as Toronto built its lead. Many fans left early, with the stadium noticeably empty by the ninth inning.
Former Dodgers players and analysts expressed concern about the team’s offensive struggles. “They can’t keep expecting Shohei to carry them,” said MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds. “Betts and Freeman need to wake up, or this series is going back to Toronto for a Game 7.”
Fan Coverage: <a href=”https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/” target=”_blank”>Join the Discussion on Reddit MLB Community</a>
Historical Context: Teams Tied 2-2 in World Series
The 2025 World Series now joins a long list of Fall Classics that reached a 2-2 deadlock after four games. According to MLB historical data, 61 previous World Series have been tied 2-2, with the team winning Game 5 going on to capture the championship 38 times (62.3%).
Some memorable World Series that were tied 2-2 after four games include:
- 2016: Chicago Cubs defeated Cleveland Indians after trailing 3-1
- 2017: Houston Astros defeated Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games
- 2019: Washington Nationals defeated Houston Astros in seven games
- 2024: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated New York Yankees in six games
The Blue Jays are seeking to become the first Canadian team to win the World Series since the 1993 Toronto squad defeated the Philadelphia Phillies. That team, led by Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off home run, captured the franchise’s second consecutive championship.
Historical Stats: <a href=”https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/” target=”_blank”>Complete MLB Postseason History and Records</a>
Manager John Schneider’s Tactical Masterclass
Toronto manager John Schneider received widespread praise for his game management in World Series Game 4. Facing a bullpen crisis after Monday’s 18-inning marathon, Schneider needed every out he could get from his starter Shane Bieber and trusted reliever Chris Bassitt.
The decision to have Bassitt pitch on back-to-back nights was controversial but ultimately successful. “We knew Chris could handle it,” Schneider explained. “He’s a pro, he knows his body, and we needed him. He delivered in a big way.”
Schneider also made several key lineup decisions that paid off. Starting Andrés Giménez at second base instead of the slumping Cavan Biggio proved crucial, as Giménez reached base twice and scored a run. Using Myles Straw as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning helped preserve Toronto’s lead late.
The 39-year-old manager, in his third full season with Toronto, has faced criticism at times during his tenure but has led the Blue Jays to their first World Series appearance since 1993. Win or lose, Schneider’s stock has risen significantly this October.
Dave Roberts Under Pressure
On the other side, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts is facing questions about his pitching decisions. The choice to start Shohei Ohtani on zero rest has been widely debated, with many analysts arguing that the team should have saved him for a potential Game 5 start with normal rest.
Roberts defended the decision after the game. “Shohei wanted the ball, and he’s earned the right to make that call,” Roberts said. “We had confidence he could give us a quality start, and he came close. This is on all of us, not just him.”
The Dodgers’ skipper also faces scrutiny over the team’s offensive approach. With runners in scoring position virtually non-existent, some have questioned whether Los Angeles needs to adjust its game plan against Toronto’s pitching staff.
Roberts has won two World Series championships with the Dodgers (2020 and 2024) and remains one of baseball’s most respected managers. However, another early exit would certainly ramp up pressure heading into 2026.
The Bottom Line
World Series Game 4 was exactly what the Toronto Blue Jays needed: a complete performance featuring quality starting pitching, timely hitting, and shutdown relief work. After the emotional devastation of Monday’s 18-inning loss, the Blue Jays showed remarkable resilience to dominate the defending champion Dodgers on their home field.
The 2025 World Series is now a best-of-three, with everything on the line. The Blue Jays have home-field advantage for potential Games 6 and 7, but they’ll need to find a way to steal Game 5 in Los Angeles to put maximum pressure on the Dodgers.
For Los Angeles, the offensive struggles beyond Shohei Ohtani are deeply concerning. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman—both former MVP winners—need to start producing, or the Dodgers will be watching the Blue Jays celebrate a championship at Rogers Centre.
Game 5 is Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET from Dodger Stadium. The winner will need just one more victory to become World Series champions. The loser will face elimination in Game 6.
Don’t miss what promises to be an epic battle as the Fall Classic enters its decisive phase.
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