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On October 27, 2025, Game 3 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays turned into an epic 18-inning marathon at Dodger Stadium, lasting 6 hours and 39 minutes.
The Dodgers earned a dramatic 6-5 victory thanks to Freddie Freeman’s solo home run in the bottom of the 18th inning off Toronto reliever Brendon Little.
This game tied the record for the longest World Series game by innings, matching the 2018 Dodgers-Red Sox classic, also at Dodger Stadium, and became the second-longest by time (behind the 7 hours and 20 minutes of the 2018 game).
The game drew 52,654 fans and featured 609 pitches, the most in postseason history, along with 19 combined pitchers, the most in playoff history. Key highlights included:
Shohei Ohtani’s dominance: The Dodgers star was intentionally walked four times (a World Series record), but still hit four extra-base hits, including two home runs—one tying the game in the seventh inning—and reached base seven times, another Fall Classic first.
Catcher Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Blue Jays a 4-1 lead, but the Dodgers chipped away, with Ohtani forcing extra innings.
Both teams wore down their relievers, and the Dodgers used veteran Clayton Kershaw in relief to escape a bases-loaded jam in extra innings. The game featured 43 “stolen runs” opportunities, a postseason record.
Defensive errors: Runners were thrown out at the plate and singles turned into triples, adding to the chaos.
The game started at 5:00 p.m. PT and ended around 11:50 p.m. PT, well into the early morning hours for viewers on the East Coast and Canada.
Impacts
This game transcended a single victory, transforming the narrative around both teams and amplifying baseball’s enduring appeal:
It decisively shifted momentum in favor of the Dodgers, who now lead 2-1 heading into Game 4 in Los Angeles. The victory prevented Toronto from tying the series and highlighted Los Angeles’ depth in a high-stakes environment.
Freeman’s home run—his second in World Series history—solidified his status as an October hero, drawing comparisons to Max Muncy’s 2018 feats in the previous record-tying game. Ohtani’s performance further elevated his MVP candidacy, combining patience and power in a way rarely seen.
For the Blue Jays, Kirk’s home run boosted his profile as an unlikely clutch player. Fan and media fallout: Social media erupted with reactions, calling it “pure chaos” and “the craziest World Series game ever,” with viral videos of Freeman’s home run and Ohtani’s walks racking up millions of views.
Attendance and viewership soared, reminding an audience weary of live broadcasts of the appeal of baseball as a live spectacle, especially poignant since it outlasted the entire 1939 World Series.
Held on the seventh anniversary of the 2018 marathon, it reinforced Dodger Stadium’s tradition as the site of Fall Classic endurance tests, drawing parallels with historic October epics like the seven-game thrillers of 1991 and 2011.
The impact of the marathon was immediate and multifaceted, affecting rosters, schedules, and endurance:
With 18 innings and over 600 pitches, both bullpens were depleted. Toronto used all of its relievers, leaving manager John Schneider struggling to make Game 4.
Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer left the game early with right-side discomfort and underwent an MRI; his status for Game 4 remains uncertain, which could weaken Toronto’s lineup.
Dodgers players, including Ohtani (who played the entire game despite drawing four walks), faced risks of fatigue, though Freeman’s heroic performance masked it.
The Dodgers can now rotate fresh pitchers, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s recent complete game in Game 2 as protection. Toronto, however, must improvise without Springer and an overstretched bullpen, possibly turning to relief starters, reminiscent of the Red Sox’s 2018 depletion after their loss.
Logistical consequences: The late finish (almost 3 a.m. ET) disrupted the sleep of traveling players and media, while fans in Toronto awoke to the loss.
It also tested the broadcasting stamina, with Fox’s Joe Davis calling the finale after hours of overtime. No major injuries were reported beyond Springer, but the days of recovery could influence the intensity of Game 4.
Sales of Freeman and Ohtani merchandise increased, and the drama of the game likely boosted betting volume and broadcast metrics for future games.
Game 3 of the 2025 World Series stands as a timeless testament to baseball’s unpredictable magic: a grueling, record-tying spectacle that rewarded resilience over raw talent.
The Dodgers’ victory, fueled by Freeman’s clutch hitting and Ohtani’s commanding plate presence, positions them as favorites to close out the series at home, but Toronto’s grit (evident in Kirk’s power and repeated escapes) doesn’t guarantee an easy ride.
Ultimately, this marathon underscores why fans endure: for those rare nights when sport becomes theater, etching indelible memories amid the exhaustion.
As one analyst noted, it’s the kind of game that “lasts forever,” proving that baseball classics aren’t manufactured, but forged in the wee hours. With the Fall Classic now a best-of-four, expect heightened drama as both teams seek immortality.