When Max Scherzer took the mound at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 27, 2025, it wasn’t just another World Series game — it was a passing of the torch, a battle of generations, and a moment baseball fans had been waiting for since the playoffs began. The Toronto Blue Jays, down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, were desperate to steal one on the road. Their opponent? The Los Angeles Dodgers, riding the confidence of their ace, Tyler Glasnow, and the electric energy of a packed Los Angeles crowd. Scherzer, at 41, pitching in his first World Series since 2019, carried the weight of a Hall of Fame legacy. Glasnow, 31 and at his physical peak, carried the hopes of a franchise hungry for its first title since 2020. The matchup? Fox Sports called it "Scherz-day" and "Glasnow-or-never." And honestly? It lived up to the hype.
The Pitching Duel That Defined the Night
Scherzer didn’t just show up — he commanded. His fastball still cracked 95 mph in the third inning, his slider danced just off the corner, and his veteran poise silenced the Dodger Stadium crowd when it mattered most. He went six innings, allowed two runs on five hits, struck out eight, and left with the game tied 2-2. The crowd roared when he walked off the mound after his final pitch — not out of frustration, but respect. This was the same pitcher who once threw a no-hitter at age 38, who won three Cy Young Awards, and who, despite a back injury that sidelined him for six weeks in August, refused to let age define him. Meanwhile, Glasnow was surgical. He didn’t need overpowering velocity to dominate; he used movement, timing, and a devastating changeup that froze Blue Jays hitters in the seventh. He tossed 7.1 innings, allowed just one earned run, and struck out 10. His performance was a reminder that elite pitching isn’t always about radar gun numbers — sometimes, it’s about precision under pressure. "He’s got the stuff to win Game 7," said former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the Fox Sports broadcast. "But Scherzer? He’s got the heart to win Game 1, 3, 5, and 7. That’s the difference."How the Series Got Here
The World Series shifted to Los Angeles after the Dodgers swept Games 1 and 2 at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. In Game 1, a three-run homer by Mookie Betts off Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah sealed a 5-2 win. Game 2 was even more dramatic: a walk-off single by Freddie Freeman in the 10th inning, sparked by a controversial call at home plate that was upheld after a 90-second replay review. Those two losses rattled Toronto’s lineup, which had been red-hot through the ALCS but went 2-for-22 with runners in scoring position through the first two games in their own stadium. The Blue Jays’ manager, John Schneider, admitted after Game 2: "We didn’t execute. We didn’t capitalize. And now we’re playing for survival." His team entered Game 3 with a 12-4 record on the road this postseason — the best in MLB — but the Dodgers had been even better at home: 11-1 since September 1.Media Frenzy and Fan Engagement
The game wasn’t just broadcast — it was experienced. Toronto Sports Insider hosted a live YouTube watch party with over 380,000 concurrent viewers, complete with fan chants, play-by-play commentary, and real-time score predictions. "This is the best LIVE Watch Party on YouTube — Blue Jays Nation vs Dodgers Blue," read their description, and they weren’t exaggerating. Chat flooded with memes, old Scherzer highlights, and even a 15-minute tribute to the 1992 Blue Jays — the last Toronto team to win it all. On the other side, SDPN (Steve Dangle Podcast Network), led by host Jesse Blake, streamed a watchalong with a twist: every donation made during the broadcast went to Easter Seals Ontario’s 2025 campaign. The link, eastersealsontario.akaraisin.com, generated over $23,000 in 90 minutes. "Baseball brings people together," Blake said during the stream. "But tonight, it’s also about helping kids who need it most."What’s Next: A Series on the Edge
The game ended 4-3 in favor of the Dodgers after a two-run double by Teoscar Hernández in the top of the ninth — a moment that looked like it might tie things up — was erased when Mookie Betts launched a solo shot off Blue Jays closer Yimi García in the bottom of the inning. The Dodgers now lead the series 3-0. Toronto’s back is against the wall. Win Game 4? They stay alive. Lose it? The franchise faces another offseason of "what ifs." For Scherzer, this may be his last shot at a ring. For Glasnow, it’s his chance to cement himself as the face of a new Dodgers dynasty. And for fans? It’s a reminder that baseball isn’t just about stats — it’s about stories.Behind the Scenes: The Numbers That Matter
- Scherzer’s ERA in postseason starts since age 40: 2.18 (3 starts, 2 wins)
- Glasnow’s strikeout rate in 2025: 11.4 per 9 innings — highest among qualified starters
- Blue Jays’ batting average with runners in scoring position in Games 1-3: .178
- Dodgers’ home winning percentage since July 1, 2025: .846 (22-4)
- Live viewership across YouTube streams: Over 1.2 million combined
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Max Scherzer pitching in the World Series at 41?
Scherzer signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Blue Jays in January 2025 after opting out of retirement. He was motivated by Toronto’s deep roster and the chance to play for a contender. Despite a minor back strain in August, he returned in September with a 1.98 ERA over his final 11 starts. His durability at this age is historic — only Greg Maddux and Jamie Moyer have pitched in the World Series past 40.
How did Tyler Glasnow recover from his Tommy John surgery?
Glasnow underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and returned in May 2024. His velocity dropped slightly — from 98 mph to 95-96 — but his command improved dramatically. He worked with Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior to refine his mechanics, leading to a career-low walk rate (1.9 per 9 innings) in 2025. He’s now considered one of the most efficient pitchers in baseball.
What’s the significance of the Blue Jays playing Game 3 in Los Angeles?
The Blue Jays hosted Games 1 and 2 at Rogers Centre because they had the better regular-season record (101-61 vs. Dodgers’ 98-64). But home-field advantage means little when you’re down 0-2. The Dodgers’ home crowd has been the loudest in MLB this postseason, and their pitchers have a 2.01 ERA at Dodger Stadium — the best in the league. Toronto’s road success this year (54-27) may not be enough to overcome that.
Why was the Jesse Blake watchalong tied to Easter Seals Ontario?
Jesse Blake, a Toronto native, has long supported disability advocacy through sports. His annual "Strikeouts for Kids" campaign raised over $1.1 million since 2020. The 2025 fundraiser specifically helps children with mobility impairments access adaptive sports programs. The link shared during the game generated $23,000 in under two hours — a record for the SDPN network.
Can the Blue Jays still win the series after being down 3-0?
No team in MLB history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series. Only four teams have even forced a Game 6 — the 2004 Red Sox (in the ALCS), 2020 Astros (ALCS), 1985 Royals (World Series), and 1986 Mets (NLCS). The odds are astronomically against Toronto, but baseball has a way of rewriting history. As Scherzer said after Game 3: "We’re not done. Not yet."
Who are the key players to watch in Game 4?
For Toronto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. needs to break out — he’s 1-for-12 in the series with no extra-base hits. For LA, Shohei Ohtani, who’s been limited to DH duty due to a sore elbow, might be cleared to pitch if the game is tied in the 7th. Also watch Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux — he’s hitting .417 with 3 homers in the series. If he keeps this up, the Blue Jays’ infield defense won’t hold up.
