The answer to “Did the Dodgers win today?” is a resounding no, as the Toronto Blue Jays dominated Game 1 of the 2025 World Series with an 11-4 victory over Los Angeles. Daulton Varsho’s early homer off Blake Snell sparked Toronto’s offensive explosion, while rookie Addison Barger delivered a breakout performance.

The Dodgers’ bullpen collapsed in the late innings, surrendering seven runs across the seventh and eighth frames. Despite Shohei Ohtani’s solo homer, LA’s pitching struggles proved costly in their first World Series appearance since 2023.

Did the Dodgers Win Today? Blue Jays Dominate Game 1 of 2025 World Series with Varsho’s Homer and Barger’s Breakout Performance

The Blue Jays Crush Dodgers 11-4 in World Series Opener

The Toronto Blue Jays made a thunderous statement in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series, demolishing the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 at Dodger Stadium. This victory marks Toronto’s first World Series win since 1993, ending a 32-year championship drought in spectacular fashion. The Jays’ offense exploded early and often, with Daulton Varsho’s second-inning homer off Blake Snell setting the tone for the rout.

Toronto’s lineup showed no mercy, scoring in five consecutive innings from the second through the sixth. The dagger came in the late innings when the Blue Jays piled on seven runs against the Dodgers’ bullpen, turning what was a competitive game into a lopsided affair. While Shohei Ohtani provided LA’s lone bright spot with a solo homer, it was scarcely a consolation in the face of Toronto’s offensive onslaught.

This wasn’t just a win for Toronto – it was a declaration. The way they dismantled the Dodgers’ pitching staff shows this team has the explosive offensive capability to win this series quickly if LA can’t make adjustments.

Varsho’s Homer Off Snell: A Rare Left-on-Left Explosion

Daulton Varsho’s 423-foot blast off Blake Snell in the second inning delivered an early psychological blow to the Dodgers. The home run was particularly significant as it represented Varsho’s first homer off a left-handed pitcher since June 2024, and his first ever against Blake Snell in regular season or postseason play.

The at-bat revealed troubling trends for the Dodgers’ ace:

Snell lasted just 4.1 innings, surrendering 4 runs on 7 hits while struggling with his command throughout the outing. The Blue Jays’ hitters showed exceptional patience against the former Cy Young winner, forcing him to throw 98 pitches in his abbreviated start.

Varsho’s swing adjustments against lefties have been remarkable. His hands are starting higher now, giving him better plate coverage against southpaws – a clear example of Toronto’s excellent hitting development program paying off in the biggest moment.

Addison Barger: The Rookie Sensation Sleeping His Way to Success

While Varsho provided the early fireworks, rookie Addison Barger delivered the sustained offensive pressure that buried the Dodgers. The 25-year-old third baseman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, continuing his incredible postseason run that now includes a .412 batting average.

Barger revealed after the game that he’s been sleeping on teammate Davis Schneider’s couch throughout the playoffs. “It started as just a place to crash after late games,” Barger explained with a laugh, “but now it’s become superstition. I’m not changing anything that’s working.”

Barger’s Postseason Statistics

• .412 batting average
• 1.047 OPS
• 6 multi-hit games
• 5 game-winning RBIs

What makes Barger special isn’t just the results, but his approach. He’s hitting to all fields with authority, and his defensive play at third base has been Gold Glove caliber. This is the breakout performance that makes legends.

Dodgers’ Pitching Collapse: Anatomy of a Meltdown

While Blake Snell’s struggles were concerning, the complete bullpen collapse in the late innings turned a competitive game into a rout. The Dodgers’ relievers combined to allow seven runs over the final three innings, with Evan Phillips surrendering a backbreaking grand slam in the seventh that put the game out of reach.

Key factors in the pitching implosion:

• Lack of fastball command – Toronto hitters were able to sit on off-speed pitches as Dodgers pitchers fell behind in counts
• Defensive miscues – Two errors extended innings and increased pitch counts
• Toronto’s plate discipline – The Blue Jays worked counts relentlessly, forcing LA pitchers into hitter-friendly situations

Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the issues after the game: “We didn’t execute when it mattered most. Our pitching plan against this lineup needs to be more precise, and we’ll make those adjustments for Game 2.”

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been their Achilles heel all season. Their relievers rank just 12th in ERA since the All-Star break, and it’s clear this Toronto lineup knows how to exploit that vulnerability.

Game 2 Preview: Can Ohtani and Dodgers Bounce Back?

All eyes now turn to Game 2, where the Dodgers will look to regroup against Toronto’s José Berríos. The pressure falls particularly on Shohei Ohtani, who homered in Game 1 but left three runners stranded in scoring position.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Ohtani vs. Berríos – The Japanese superstar has struggled against the Toronto right-hander, with just 3 hits in 15 career at-bats
• Mookie Betts’ leadoff spot – The Dodgers need more from their table-setter after an 0-for-5 Game 1
• Toronto’s bullpen deployment – The Blue Jays didn’t need to use most of their high-leverage relievers in the blowout

Historical trends favor Toronto – teams winning Game 1 of the World Series at home have gone on to win the championship 63% of the time. However, the Dodgers have shown remarkable resilience throughout the postseason, including bouncing back from a Game 1 loss in the NLCS.

The Dodgers need their stars to be stars in Game 2. Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman must carry the offensive load, and the pitching staff needs to execute better against Toronto’s disciplined lineup. This is far from over, but they can’t afford to go down 0-2.

1993 vs. 2025: Blue Jays’ Championship Pedigree

The 2025 Blue Jays are drawing inevitable comparisons to the franchise’s last championship team in 1993. While that legendary squad featured iconic moments like Joe Carter’s walk-off home run, this year’s team boasts a more balanced attack and superior pitching depth.

The 2025 squad has achieved its success through a combination of analytics-driven development and old-school scouting. Varsho’s swing adjustments, for example, came after studying drone footage of his at-bats, while Barger’s emergence represents the fruition of Toronto’s player development pipeline.

What fascinates me is how this Toronto team blends modern analytics with traditional baseball instincts. They’re launching homers based on biomechanical data one moment, then laying down perfect bunts the next. That adaptability makes them dangerous.

Conclusion: A Statement Win for Toronto

Game 1 wasn’t just a victory for the Blue Jays – it was a comprehensive dismantling of the National League champions. The 11-4 scoreline reflected Toronto’s offensive depth and exposed cracks in the Dodgers’ pitching staff that must be addressed quickly if LA hopes to get back in the series.

As the teams prepare for Game 2, several questions loom large: Can Blake Snell rebound in his next start? Will Addison Barger’s magical postseason continue? And most importantly, have the Blue Jays sent a message that this series might not go the distance? One thing is certain – Toronto has seized control of the 2025 World Series, and the Dodgers must respond with urgency.

In baseball, momentum is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher. The Blue Jays have it now, but this Dodgers team is too talented to count out. Game 2 will tell us whether this is the start of a Toronto dynasty or just the beginning of an epic series.