The Los Angeles Dodgers could not have imagined a worse way to open the World Series. What began as a promising night quickly turned into an 11-4 blowout against the Toronto Blue Jayson Friday, leaving Los Angeles trailing 0-1 heading into Saturday’s Game 2.
It looked like the Dodgers might take control early. Blake Snell battled through traffic in the first inning, and the lineup created chances in the second and third. Kiké Hernández delivered an RBI single in the second, followed by another run-scoring hit from Will Smith in the third. For a moment, the Dodgers looked like themselves.
That momentum disappeared in an instant. Alejandro Kirk sparked Toronto’s offense with a single, and Dalton Varsho crushed a two-run home run in the fourth inning. From that point on, the Blue Jays never stopped pressing.
A Nightmare Sixth Inning Turned It Into a Blowout
By the sixth inning, Snell’s pitch count was high and the Dodgers’ bullpen began to unravel. After Bo Bichette drew a walk and Kirk singled, the bases were loaded. Manager Dave Roberts turned to reliever Emmet Sheehan, who immediately allowed a run on an RBI single by Ernie Clement and another on a bases-loaded walk.
Left-hander Anthony Banda entered next, hoping to stop the bleeding. Instead, Addison Barger launched a grand slam into the second deck at Rogers Centre, breaking the game wide open. The Blue Jays fans erupted as the Dodgers’ dugout fell silent. Kirk later added a two-run homer to make it 11-2, sealing one of the ugliest innings Los Angeles has played all season.
Shohei Ohtani added a late two-run shot to make the score look slightly more respectable, but by that point, the damage was done. What started as a close, competitive game had turned into a rout.
Dodgers Need to Regroup Fast
The loss exposed several of Los Angeles’s weak spots. Snell’s command faded early, the bullpen failed to execute, and the lineup stranded too many runners in scoring position. Manager Dave Roberts will need answers quickly before Game 2, or this series could spiral out of control.
Toronto, on the other hand, looked sharp and confident. Guerrero Jr., Bichette, and Kirk led an offense that punished every mistake. The Blue Jays now hold a 1-0 lead and plenty of momentum heading into Saturday night.
Read the full article here
