‘We gave it everything we had’: Blue Jays players emotional after World Series loss to Dodgers

The Blue Jays could not finish the job, losing in extra innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who repeat as World Series champions.

Toronto had the lead heading into the ninth inning. With one out, Jeff Hoffman gave up a solo home run that tied the game. Will Smith hit the go-ahead homer in the eleventh.

Blue Jays fans hoping their team would be world champions again were heartbroken and devastated.

Meanwhile, the players were emotional following the loss.

Here are some highlights from the game and the reaction after (All times are Eastern Daylight Time):

2 a.m. - Hoffman: ‘I cost everybody here a World Series ring’

Jeff Hoffman did not mince words while speaking to reporters after the game.

“Just sucks. Supposed to end differently,” the closer said.

“I cost everybody in here a World Series ring so it feels pretty sh----,” the Blue Jays closer said.

“Gotta execute better in that spot, and I let that happen,” he added, referring to the game-tying home run he gave up to Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning when the Jays were two outs away from the win.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

1:53 a.m. - Toronto’s mayor ‘so very proud’ of the Jays

Olivia Chow says she’s ”so very proud” of the Blue Jays for their success this season.

“I want to thank the Blue Jays, and the whole city of Toronto. These aren’t the results we were hoping for, but I am so very proud,” Chow wrote in a post on X early Sunday morning.

“Blue Jays, you’re Toronto’s team, you’re Canada’s team. You’ve united all of us. Thank you for setting such a good example of excellence, friendship, and hope.”

Chow went on to say that the team has “inspired a generation,” urging everyone in the city to “hold onto this joy.”

“The Jays have shown us what’s possible when we work together, and hope is the motivation. Thank you Blue Jays. Looking forward to next year’s win!” she said.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

1:46 a.m. - ‘I’m sorry because we couldn’t give them that title,’ Vladdy says

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says he is proud of the Blue Jays for everything they accomplished this year even though they felt short in winning it all.

“We don’t finish the way we wanted to finish. But like I say, I feel very, very proud of my team the way we play the entire year, but we gain a loit of respect this year,” the first baseman said through his translator.

Guerrero Jr. assured fans that they’ll be back as the Game 7 loss will make the team stronger next season. He said the team learned a lot of things during the regular season and this postseason.

His message to the fanbase:

“I gotta be very thankful, very grateful, for our fans, for the city. And the only thing I gotta say that I’m sorry because we couldn’t give them that title that we know the entire city wants, and, of course, myself included.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

1:30 a.m. - Blue Jays ‘has so much to be proud of’: Springer

Despite the loss, George Springer said he loves his team.

“I love these guys. This was so fun. This was this was a great year. We have a lot to be proud of, obviously disappointed, but we have so much to be proud of and to hang our hat on,” the outfielder told reporters.

“I mean, anytime you come out on the other side of a game like that, it’s tough, but you have to get give them a lot of credit. They fought back all game. I just think this group, has so much to be proud of, even if it didn’t go our way.”

His message to Blue Jays fans: “Thank you for being here for us, for really getting behind us all year. I know it stings, and it’s not the way that any of us wanted it to end, obviously, and I know there’s a lot of fans out there didn’t want to end this way. But just hope as a team we made a lot of people happy and proud.

When asked about their Jeff Hoffman, Springer emphasized that the Jays closer has been great all year.

“I’d have him out there again. I love him,” he said.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

1:23 a.m. - ‘We gave it everything we had’: Clement

An emotional Ernie Clement says he’s been crying for an hour after they lost the World Series.

“I thought I was done with the tears, but I just love these guys so much. Iy was so much fun coming to work every day and, you know, battling with these guys, and we have so much to be proud of, even though, you know, it didn’t go our way,” said Clement, his voice breaking.

The third baseman says what he will remember this season is coming to the field every day to play with his teammates.

“We gave it everything we had. And you know, when you fall short, but you can say that you left it all out there. There’s something to be proud of there,” Clement said.

He added, “ I feel for the guys. I feel for everybody in here, like we grinded so hard. We went through so much all year.”

Clement said he would go to war with Jeff Hoffman and he’ll always want Shane Bieber on the mound. The two pitchers gave up the two late home runs to the Dodgers.

“Those are guys who I would take a bullet for. And you know, 99 times out of 100 those guys get the job done. You know, obviously, just wasn’t our night here. But like I, I feel for those guys so much now,” he said.

Clement said he had a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth but the ball he hit was caught.

“I want that one back too, just like those guys, I’m sure want those pitches back. I can’t emphasize it enough, like those guys bust their tails all year, came through in big moments. Just wasn’t our night.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

1:15 a.m. – Canada, PM thank the Jays

The Government of Canada says it appreciates the efforts of the Jays this season.

“Thank you Toronto Blue Jays for an unforgettable season. You made Canada proud right to the very end,” it wrote in a post on X.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has also shared a few words of appreciation with the team:“You fought with heart and gave Canadians memories to last a lifetime. Thank you and congratulations on an incredible run Toronto Blue Jays,” he wrote on X.

Carney called the Jays’ loss an “absolutely heartbreaking result.”

“Congratulations to the Toronto Blue Jays for a tremendous season and for battling right to the end. You’ve made all of Canada proud with how hard you fought, the risks you took, and the teamwork you lived throughout,” he wrote.

“An inspiration to us all pointing to an ever brighter future for all of us in the years ahead.”

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

1:09 a.m. - Jays will come back with a win in 2026, says fan

Devastated Jays fans say tonight’s loss can only be a sign of better things to come next year.

“It’s a heartbreaking, devastating blow to the soul of the city of Toronto. We were expecting to celebrate with our fellow Torontonians and Canadians from coast to coast, but unfortunately, the stars had other things written where the Dodgers were the ones crowned champions,” said one sad fan.

“A champion is not defined by their wins, but they’re defined by when they come back up and rise above their losses. This is not a prediction, it’s a spoiler: 2026, from the growing pains, the Blue Jays will be the World Series champions.”

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

12:56 a.m. - ‘It’ll hurt for a few days, a few weeks’

After the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider says he held his first team meeting of the season following the loss. When asked what he said, the manager shared that he thanked his players.

“I said, thank you. I said, I’m sorry that we’re feeling this way right now,” Schneider said.

“It definitely could have been the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of emotions. So I said, Thank you. And this is a group that I’m never going to forget. They’re going to have a place in my heart, every single one of them. So that was the gist.”

Schneider admitted, “It’ll hurt for a few days, a few weeks,” given how close they were to winning it all.

“I think right now, you just have to, kind of, I don’t know, take in what happened. But going forward, you know, the beauty of baseball is that it goes on. It’ll be spring training in February. So that being said, you take away the sacrifices the guys made, the way they went about it, the performances everyone had and kind of just the cohesiveness of the team,” Schneider said.

He added that he is proud of the organization for setting a new standard.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

12:50 p.m. - Jays fans heartbroken after World Series loss to the Dodgers

Hearts were heavy outside the Rogers Centre as Toronto Blue Jays fans poured out of the ballpark after the L.A. Dodgers won the 2025 World Series.

Many were shocked and in disbelief, as just an hour earlier, the team seemed to be on the cusp of winning the World Series.

“It’s going to be a long walk home. … “Toronto fell off since 2019. That’s just the way it is,” said one fan who came down by himself from Sudbury to take in Game 7 in Toronto.

Another fan said they’re “devastated” by tonight’s outcome.“I can’t believe this,” he said, adding he even bet $1,000 that Toronto would win.

“Now I gotta go home in shame.”

“It’s really sad to see. I was hoping for a big win. … It’s crazy,” his friend chimed in.

Another fan said this loss is a painful one.“This hurts. This hurts, Toronto,” he said.

Said another: “It’s gonna be a sad subway ride home.”

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

12:40 a.m. – Jays had 91 per cent chance of winning at one point: ESPN analytics

At one point in the 9th inning, the Blue Jays were two outs away and had a 91.7 per cent chance of winning the World Series, according to ESPN Analytics.

The Blue Jays still had a 65 per cent chance of winning in the top of the 11th inning before Will Smith’s solo home run to seize control of the game.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

12:37 p.m. - Yamamoto named World Series MVP

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been awarded the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player.

Yamamoto pitched scoreless innings tonight after starting in Game 6 to keep his team within striking distance.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

12:35 p.m. - Dodgers hoist Commissioner’s Trophy

The Commissioner’s Trophy is hoisted in Toronto after more than three decades, but by the visiting team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

12:32 p.m. - Vlad emotional after loss

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was caught by camera shedding tears in the dugout after the Blue Jays lost to the Dodgers.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

12:31 p.m. – A ‘magical ride with all of you’: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays say they “couldn’t be prouder” of their city, their home, and their fans who showed up for them throughout the regular and postseason.“It was a magical ride with all of you,” the team wrote in a post on X.

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

12:25 p.m. - Dodgers celebrate

Dodgers players celebrate on the field after they turned the double play to win the World Series. Their families also join in, sharing hugs and kisses.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

Blue Jays come up short

The Toronto Blue Jays have come up short in their quest to win their first World Series title since 1993.

They were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the winner-take-all game at the Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays were two outs away when Miguel Rojas hit a solo home run to tie the game.

With the victory, the Dodgers are the first team to repeat as world champions since the New York Yankees did it between 1998 and 2000.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

12:08 p.m. - Dodgers get lead

Will Smith hits a two-out solo home run in the top of the 11th inning to break the tie and give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. The Blue Jays are three outs away from losing the World Series.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

12:01 p.m. - To the 11th inning

Yamamoto retired the three batters he faced to send the World Series to the 11th inning.

Shane Bieber will pitch in the top of the 11th inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

11:55 p.m. – Nathan Phillips Square at capacity

Toronto police say that Nathan Phillips Square is at capacity and that people are being urged not to travel to the area at this time.

A Blue Jays watch party is ongoing at the square.“Do not climb the Toronto Sign, nearby structures, or construction scaffolding . Officers are on scene supporting safe crowd movement,” police said in a message posted to social media.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

11:53 p.m. - Dominguez escapes bases-loaded jam

Seranthony Dominguez gets out of two bases-loaded jams in the top of the 10th inning and keeps the score tied.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

11:50 p.m. – Extra innings to decide a World Series is rare

There have only been six occasions in MLB history when a winner-take-all World Series game went to extra innings, with the last time coming in 2016 when the Cubs beat Cleveland in 10 innings to secure their first title in more than 100 years.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

11:42 p.m. - Going to extras

The World Series is going into extra innings after the Blue Jays failed to score with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

11:29 p.m. - Yamamoto in

With two runners on base and one out, the Dodgers give the ball to last night’s pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who will face Alejandro Kirk.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

11:17 p.m. - Rojas ties game

The Blue Jays were just two outs away from a World Series when Miguel Rojas hit a solo home run to tie the game at 4-4.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

11:11 p.m. - Nathan Phillips Square packed with fans as Game 7 enters 9th inning

Thousands of excited and nervous fans have packed Nathan Phillips Square as the Toronto Blue Jays head into the final inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the L.A. Dodgers.

During the free viewing party, the game is being aired live on a giant screen with a DJ between innings to keep the energy high.

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

11:07 p.m. - Three outs away

The Blue Jays are three outs away from their first World Series title since 1993. They could not drive in Ernie Clement, who doubled in the bottom of the eighth inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

11:02 p.m. – Jays ‘always had a chance’: fan

While the L.A. Dodgers may “always been the big favourite,” the Toronto Blue Jays “always had a chance,” says one die-hard fan who spoke with CP24 outside the Rogers Centre on Saturday night.

“Honestly, I’ve been feeling nervous the entire time, but I feel we have a good one today, and I feel like we can get this win,” he told CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman.

While the cost of Game 7 tickets was too prohibitive, the determined fan said he “had to be here” tonight to take it in.“I want to be there when they celebrate because, man, it’ll be a crazy night,” he said, adding he can’t wait for the party in the street and the champagne.

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

10:58 p.m. - Snell in

After Emmet Sheehan gave up a double to Ernie Clement, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave the ball to Blake Snell to face Andres Gimenez, George Springer and Nathan Lukes.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:46 p.m. - Muncy homers

Max Muncy hits a one-out solo home run to cut the lead. Blue Jays still up 4-3.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:41 p.m. - ‘The lid almost blew off the Rogers Centre’ as Yesavage takes mound

Fans are beyond pumped as the Jays head into to 7th inning with star rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage on the mound and a 4-2 lead.

“It’s unbelievable, man. I’m honestly so stoked,” said one young fan taking it all in outside the Rogers Centre.

“I’m so happy to be here to see the fans’ energy. It’s an unbelievable moment.”

He said his heart was “beating so fast” as the team went into the final three innings of the series.

“I’m so proud to be from this city. This is amazing. This is like a dream come true.”

The fan and his two female friends said they weren’t yet born when the Jays won the World Series in 1993, but are thrilled to be taking it all in now in 2025.

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

10:32 p.m. - Yesavage gets double play

After walking Shohei Ohtani, Trey Yesavage gets Will Smith to fly out and Freedie Freeman to ground out to an inning-ending double play.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who started the 3-6-3 double play, is pumped to end the top of the seventh inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:26 p.m. - Yesavage on the mound

After pitching in Game 5, Trey Yesavage is back on the mound in the top of the seventh inning. He will face Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:19 p.m. - Gimenez drives in run

After Ernie Clement stole second base, Andres Gimenez hit a double to deep right centre, scoring the third baseman.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:15 p.m. – Varland sets record for most playoff appearances

Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland has now made the most pitching appearances in a single postseason in MLB history with 15.

Brandon Morrow (2017) and Paul Assenmacher (1997) held the previous record with 14 appearances. There have only been three Blue Jays playoff games this fall that Varland has not appeared in.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

10:13 p.m. - ‘Toronto better go crazy,’ says fan, if Jays win

After a hard-fought seven-game World Series, “Toronto better go crazy,” if its team wins, says Jays fan Maverick outside the Rogers Centre on Saturday evening.“If you’re still with the Dodgers, I still love you, but you better vote for the Blue Jays,” he said, urging everyone to get out there and celebrate when Toronto takes it all.

Maverick and his friend David, who are both 15 years old, said if the Jays come out on top, they’ll be celebrating all night long with the rest of the city.

“I’m going to be out there. I’m going to be chanting Go Blue Jays!” he said.

“I love the Blue Jays. I’ve been watching them since I was like 10 years old.”David added that after the team wins, he, too, expects everyone to be chanting Go Blue Jays.“This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us today,” he said.

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

10:12 p.m. - Bassitt limits damage

Chris Bassit tags Miguel Rojas to end the top of the sixth inning and keep the Jays’ one-run lead.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:08 p.m. - Dodgers cut Jays lead

With one out, Mookie Betts, who Chris Bassitt walked to start the top of the sixth inning, scores from third base after Tommy Edman flied out to centre field.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

10:05 p.m. – Dirt camera view of Bichette HR swing

This is the view of Bo Bichette’s third-inning home run swing from a camera buried in the dirt near home plate at Rogers Centre. MLB on Fox says that the noise in the Rogers Centre reached such a crescendo that some of its field-level cameras were shaking.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:52 - Intensity ‘off the charts’ as Jays take on Dodgers in Game 7: fan

Game 7 is “off the charts,” says one fan, who spoke with CP24’s Nick Dixon on Saturday night outside the 100 level at Rogers Centre.

“It’s like a lid that’s ready to explode, even before the game started,” the woman, who took in the action when the Jays one the World Series more than three decades ago, said.

“This is euphoric. It’s going to be a repeat of 92 and 93. The city’s gonna be electric. They’re bringing it home in the home.”

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

9:50 p.m. – Ohtani joins exclusive company with fifth inning hit

Shohei Ohtani is now just the second player in World Series history to have multiple hits in a deciding game that they also pitched. The only player to accomplish that feat? St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Dizzy Dean, way back in 1934.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:49 p.m. - Varland gets two outs

After Shohei Ohtani singled, Louis Varland, who replaced Max Scherzer, got Will Smith and Mookie Betts to fly out to end the inning and keep the Blue Jays up 3-1.

Scherzer’s final pitching line: 4.1 innings, four hits, one run, one walk and three strikeouts.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

9:42 p.m. – Schneider speaks with MLB on Fox

Blue Jays Manager John Schneider spoke with MLB on Fox reporter Ken Rosenthal from the dugout, where he discussed having Bo Bichette back in the lineup following a knee injury that kept him out for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

“He has worked so hard to get here; he is obviously grinding physically like a lot of guys are, but man, it is so good to have him back in the lineup. That is a huge swing right there,” he said of Bichette’s third-inning home run.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:42 p.m. - Scherzer done

Blue Jays manager John Schneider has taken Max Scherzer out of the game after giving up a one-out single in the top of the fifth inning, and with Ohtani batting next.

The crowd cheers as Scherzer walks to the dugout. The veteran pitcher acknowledges the crowd.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

9:38 p.m. – New view of pitch that prompted benches to clear

This is the view from the home plate umpire’s camera of the pitch to Andrés Giménez that resulted in both benches clearing.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:28 p.m. - Benches clear

After Andres Gimenez was hit by a pitch, the shortstop exchanged words with Justin Wrobleski, and players from both teams ran out of the dugout and the bullpen.

Before Gimenez was hit by the pitch, Wrobleski threw several close pitches to the Jays player.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

9:25 p.m. - A ‘sign of hope’ as Bichette hits homer

Heading into the fourth inning, the Jays were up 3-0 as Bo Bichette hit a three-run homer. Fans couldn’t be more thrilled with the crowd loudly erupting at the Rogers Centre.

The Scotiabank Arena watch party was equally electric as Bichette put the Jays on the scoreboard.

Several spectators are also taking in the action from outside the ballpark, watching Game 7 on a large screen and a loudspeaker and chanting Let’s Go Blue Jays.

“We’re living the dream. It’s 3 to 1,” said one excited fan, adding that the momentum is now in Toronto’s favour.“We’re gonna go. We’re gonna win!”

-Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com journalist

9:20 p.m. - Vladdy’s catch ends inning

With runners on first and second, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. makes a diving catch to end the inning and limit the Dodgers to one run.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

9:19 p.m. - Dodgers on board

With the bases loaded and one out, Teoscar Hernandez flies out to centre and Will Smith tags from third to score the Dodgers’ first run.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

9:15 p.m. – Scotiabank Arena erupts after Bichette HR

This was the reaction inside Scotiabank Arena after Bo Bichette hit a three-run home run to give the Blue Jays a lead in Game 7. A sold-out watch party is taking place inside Scotiabank Arena with thousands of Blue Jays fans on hand.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:02 p.m. – Ohtani pulled after Bichette HR

Shohei Ohtani’s night is done after giving up a three-run home run to Bo Bichette in the bottom of the third inning.

Ohtani only ended up logging 2.1 innings, giving up five hits and three runs. He threw 51 pitches, but only threw 31 of them for strikes. Reliever Justin Wrobleski is now in the game for the Dodgers.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

9:01 p.m. - Bichette gives Jays a lead

With George Springer, who singled, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was intentionally walked, on first and third, Bo Bichette hits a home run to centre field to give the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

8:35 p.m. – Ohtani already at 42 pitches early

Shohei Ohtani is already at 42 pitches through two innings. He has given up three hits and one walk so far. Max Scherzer has made it through three innings for the Blue Jays and has only thrown 28 pitches.

It remains to be seen how long Ohtani could remain in the game, given that he is pitching on three days rest for only the second time in his career.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

8:47 p.m. - Ohtani escapes jam

Shohei Ohtani escapes a bases-loaded jam, striking out Andrés Giménez to keep the game scoreless.

Ernie Clement hit a two-out single, but Bo Bichette, who is still not running 100 per cent, was stopped at third base.

With the hit, Clement sets a franchise record of a 13-game postseason hitting streak.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

8:35 p.m. – Springer sets MLB record for leadoff hits in winner-take-all games

George Springer’s single in the first inning was his fourth career leadoff hit in a winner-take-all game, helping him break a tie with Mookie Betts for the MLB record. Two of those hits have come in the World Series.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

8:30 p.m. – Ohtani struggles with command but strikes out two

Shohei Ohtani, pitching on just three days rest for the second time in his MLB career, appeared to struggle with his command at points in the first inning.

Ohtani fell behind in several counts and ended up throwing eight balls to go along with 10 strikes. Ohtani, however, ended up striking out both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Nathan Lukes in the inning.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

8:27 p.m. - Scoreless first

George Springer singled to start the bottom of the first inning, but the Blue Jays could not score a run. Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. struck out while Springer was tagged out as he was running to second base.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

8:14 p.m. - Ohtani left on base

After Ohtani’s single, Scherzer was able to retire the next three batters to keep it scoreless in the first inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

8:12 p.m. - Ohtani singles

Shohei Ohtani hits a single to start Game 7 of the World Series as fans at the Rogers Centre are chanting “Let’s Go Blue Jays.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

8:05 p.m. – A-Rod, Jeter and Ortiz all pick Blue Jays to win

All three panelists on the MLB on Fox broadcast have picked the Blue Jays to win the World Series tonight. Alex Rodriguez is predicting an 8-6 Blue Jays win, while David Ortiz likes the Jays to win 8-4, and Derek Jeter has the Jays winning 7-3.

“I picked the Dodgers coming into it, but I think the Toronto Blue Jays, they are hard to bet against because you know what these guys keep coming back,” Jeter said.

" I think they score late, and it is 7-3."

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

7:55 p.m.- Blue Jays need Guerrero Jr. to hit if they are going to win: Jeter

MLB on Fox host Derek Jeter says that the Blue Jays’ chances tonight could hinge on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“In the Blue Jays’ wins, he has hit .512, and seven of his eight home runs have come in their wins, so I know they have a very deep lineup, but bottom line is they need Vlad, they need Vlad to hit if they are going to win tonight.”

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

7:50 p.m. - Moments away from first pitch of final game

In just a few minutes, the first pitch of the final game of the 2025 MLB season will be thrown.

The Blue Jays are looking to become world champions for the first time since 1993, while the Dodgers want to repeat.

Jack Morris, who was with the 1992 Blue Jays and Paul Molitor of the 1993 team, who won the World Series MVP, are throwing the ceremonial first pitch.

Former American Idol contestant Pia Toscano is singing The Star-Spangled Banner while Schitt’s Creek’s Noah Reid is singing O Canada.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

7:45 p.m.- Scherzer takes the field

Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer has arrived on the field ahead of Game 7 sporting an intense glare.

On the Fox broadcast, the hosts Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter all took note of his stoic entrance into the bullpen.

“Look at this. He is locked in. This is what makes him beautiful,” Burkhardt said.

“He will become the oldest pitcher to ever start a winner-take-all game at 41 years old and 97 days, and you know he is chomping at the bit here.”

“He is ready, he is ready. Mad Max,” Ortiz shouted.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

7:30 p.m. – Fans arriving at Rogers Centre talk superstitions

CP24’s Nick Dixon is speaking with Blue Jays fans arriving at the Rogers Centre ahead of Game 7. One group of four fans from Bolton tells Dixon that they were at the Rogers Centre for Games 6 and 7 of the American League Championship Series – both Jays wins – and have returned in the exact same clothes.

They are also wearing goggles, similar to the ones that they hope the Jays will don for a champagne-soaked celebration in the clubhouse later tonight.“We did wash the,m but they are all the same clothing down to the underwear,” one said.“It is a done deal, it is over, we are going to win,” another said.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

7:25 p.m. – Yamamoto asked Roberts for chance to take mound

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts has suggested that Yoshinobu Yamamoto could factor into tonight’s game, despite pitching six innings just 24 hours ago. MLB Network’s Lauren Shehadi says that she was told that Yamamoto approached Roberts himself to express his desire to get into Game 7.

“Of course he is (interested), the guy is an animal, so we could see him as well,” Shehadi said.

Yamamoto has had the heaviest workload of any pitcher in the postseason and in Game 2 of the World Series became the first pitcher since 2001 to throw back-to-back complete games in the playoffs.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

7:05 p.m. – The final game of Kershaw’s MLB career

Tonight will be the final game of Clayton Kershaw’s MLB career. Kershaw has been used sparingly in the playoffs by the Dodgers, only factoring into the World Series for one key out in the 12th inning of a marathon Game 3.

But Kershaw is relishing the opportunity to potentially end a sure-fire Hall of Fame career with his second World Series.

“I have so many emotions. I do. I think all of us do. It is Game 7, man, and I am going to miss it like crazy, putting on pants for the last time and all of that stuff. But at the end of the day, when you think about it, getting to be out here for a Game 7 as your last game, how cool is that?” Kershaw said during an on-field interview with MBL Network on Saturday night. “You can’t script it any better than that. So I am just really grateful. It is going to be an awesome night and hopefully one more win.”

Kershaw has struck out more than 3,000 batters over the course of his 18-year career, becoming only the 20th pitcher in the history of the MLB to do that.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

6:23 p.m. - Jays relievers write ‘51’ on cap for Dodgers’ Vesia

Blue Jays relievers have “51” written on their caps, which is the number of Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia. He is not playing in the World Series due to a “deeply personal family matter.”

Dodgers outfielder Kiké Hernandez was asked about the gesture. He recounted noticing it after Chris Bassitt struck him out on Friday.

“I was kind of going back to the dugout thinking, Did Bassitt play with Vesia at some point? And then after the game, I saw that everybody had them,” Hernandez said.

“For those guys to do that, it’s incredible. They’re trying to win a World Series, but they understand that this is -- life is bigger than baseball, and baseball’s just a game. For them to do that with the stakes -- where we were at with the stakes, hats off to them, and I want them to know that we appreciate ‘em. Regardless of what happens tonight, we appreciate what they did.”

Read more here.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

6:19 p.m. - Barger hitting dingers during BP

Addison Barger is seen going deep several times during batting practice at the Rogers Centre. He will hit in the fifth spot behind Bo Bichette.

6:03 p.m. - Which team has the pitching advantage?

MLB Network analysts weigh in on which team has the pitching advantage in Game 7.

For Kevin Millar, he thinks the Dodgers have the advantage “if you’re going on paper.”

“I think they’re just a little deeper on paper with some guys that could get some outs,” Millar said. He did note that the Blue Jays also have the arms to get some outs, like rookie Trey Yrsavage.

“That’s what’s great about Game 7, everybody’s there,” he said.

Ryan Dempster disagrees with Millar and thinks the Blue Jays have the advantage.

“If you get four innings out of Max Scherzer, you’re fired up. If you get a fifth for some reason, holy cow,” Dempster said.

He pointed out that Yesavage being available to pitch out of the bullpen provides the Blue Jays a lot of options, given that they could also hand the ball to Chris Bassitt, Mason Fluharty, Louis Varland and Jeff Hoffman.

“I think they’re just a little bit deeper as far as when it comes to rest,” Dempster said, adding that Shane Bieber could also take the mound tonight.

Scherzer pitched in the last World Series Game 7 for the Washington Nationals in 2019. His team beat the Astros to win the Fall Classic.

“He’s pitched on the biggest stage. Emotions won’t be the key. Command and executing pitches are going to be the key,” Dempster said.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

5:51 p.m. - Yamamoto could pitch in Game 7

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says last night’s starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, could be available for tonight’s deciding game.

“We’ll see how he is in catch play, but he said that if he feels good, he is definitely interested,” Roberts said.

Yamamoto limited the Jays to one run on five hits in the six innings he pitched on Friday night.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

5:27 p.m. – What to know before the game

According to Major League Baseball, this is the 41st winner-take-all game in World Series history, and the visiting team has won 21 of the previous 40. That includes the last four Game 7s.

MLB adds that the Blue Jays will be the sixth team ever to play Game 7s in the league championship series and the World Series. Toronto has a record of 3-1 in winter-take-all games during the postseason.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

5:12 p.m. - Schneider reflects on 2025 season

Blue Jays manager John Schneider says he is proud of the way the team as a whole improved this year, advancing to the postseason and reaching the World Series.

“We’ve raised the standard and expectation of this organization a hell of a lot this year. I think as a manager, you always want a team that any other team, any other coaching staff, any other person that is in the game, you can look at a team and say, that’s what they stand for, and that’s what is important to them, and I feel like we’ve accomplished that this year,” Schneider said.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

5:09 p.m. - Scherzer is ready: Schneider

Schneider says Max Scherzer has been preparing for Game 7 since he knew that he would be on the mound if it got to this stage.

“I walked past him last night after the game and it looked like he was ready to kill somebody. So that’s kind of where he’s at. So you trust him to be ready for this environment,” Schneider said.

The Jays manager noted that the veteran pitcher brings a lot to the team, saying Scherzer is not afraid “to raise the expectations that are here, whether it’s with a hitter or a pitcher.”

“So he’s as competitive as anyone I’ve ever seen. He really supports his teammates,” Schneider said.

“I think that personality is kind of something that we needed this year.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

5 p.m. - Springer talked to team after Game 6 loss

Schneider says George Springer talked to his teammates last night following the loss.

The veteran told the team to “just go play your game” and “out-team another team,” Schneider said.

“This is seven games for a reason. There’s been storylines in every single game. So, not really focus on that. Focus on what we got to do today,” Schneider said.

When asked how Springer is feeling after last night’s game, the Jays manager said he is “fine.”

“There’s probably some uncomfortable swings or movements, but he came through it fine. I thought his at-bats were fairly normal, and looking for him to have a moment, if you will. He’s had a few of those in these settings. So I think he’ll be tired tomorrow, no matter what the outcome is, but he’ll be ready to go tonight,” Schneider said.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

4:45 p.m. – Guerrero Jr. wears Poulin jersey

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arrived at the Rogers Centre wearing Marie-Philip Poulin’s Team Canada jersey.

Poulin is the captain of Canada’s women’s national hockey team and has won three Olympic gold medals.

In her Instagram story, Poulin wrote “Wow 🥹” and “Let’s go @bluejays 🔥." She was at Rogers Centre on Friday to watch Game 6.

This is not the first time Guerrero Jr. wore a hockey jersey for a Game 7.

During the American League Championship Series, the first baseman donned an Auston Matthews Maple Leafs jersey ahead of Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners.

The Blue Jays won that game to punch their ticket to the World Series.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

4:20 p.m. - Playing Game 7, ‘it’s what you dream of as a kid’: Clement

Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement says he only got an hour or two of sleep and arrived in the ballpark a little extra early.

“I couldn’t wait to get to the field today. Just one more day to hang with the boys and give it everything we got,” Clement said during his pre-game news conference.

“It’s what you dream of as a kid. I’ve played in quite a few Game 7s in my backyard over the years, so it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s why I play the game. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of. It’s a chance to win a World Series. You know, not everybody gets to say that, so we’re going to enjoy that.”

He shared that when he left the stadium last night, it hit him that today is the final game of the season.

“It kind of hit me, and I took a second to just kind of look out at the field and kind of try to soak it in. Because, I mean, it’s been a special year, no doubt about it,” Clement said.

“Once we step on that field tonight, it will really set in that, hey, this is it, you better leave it all out there.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

4:06 p.m. - Dodgers unveil Game 7 lineup

The Dodgers have made some tweaks in their lineup for Game 7. Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez switched order, with the third baseman batting fifth and the right fielder hitting after him.

-Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

3:55 p.m. – The ball that got lodged in the wall

MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa says the ball that Addison Barger hit hard in the bottom of the ninth inning that lodged underneath the outfield wall was an “unlucky moment” for the Blue Jays.

DeRosa demonstrates how hard it is for a ball to get wedged in the padding by throwing one, which bounces back.

“It’s almost not doable,” he said. “What a crazy play.”

DeRosa then praised Dodgers outfielders Kike Hernandez and Justin Dean for immediately throwing their hands up to signal a dead ball.

It prevented Myles Straw from scoring from first base as umpires confirmed the hit as a ground-rule double.

• What happens when a baseball is lodged in the outfield? MLB’s dead ball rule explained

“If the Dodgers win this thing, we’re going to look back at the 2025 World Series. We’re going to look at Game 6, bottom ninth: Addison Barger at the plate hits an absolute missile at 105 miles per hour. It got wedged in the padding,” DeRosa said.

-Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

3:43 p.m. - Jays release Game 7 lineup

The Blue Jays have unveiled the lineup for their final game of the 2025 season with the World Series title on the line.

They have the same four leadoff batters as Game 6, with Springer hitting first. The Jays have switched Addison Barger and Daulton Varsho, with the former batting fifth and the latter hitting seventh.

-Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

3:41 p.m. - Schneider confident about his team ahead of Game 7

Blue Jays manager John Schneider says his players “have a really good way” of reeling each other back in when “things kind of get off the rails a little bit.”

“So, you try to stay out of the way. Like I’m going to try to stay out of the way tonight, let the players go out and do their thing,” Schneider told MLB Central hours before Game 7. He has previously said that he has not called a team meeting this season.

He said the players look forward to a challenge, which has been evident all year and during this World Series.

When asked which other pitchers will be on the mound tonight, Schneider said Trey Yesavage, who pitched three days ago, will be part of the game.

“The cool thing about him is he did this kind of routine in the minor leagues. He started; he came out of the bullpen, so he’s ready for this,” the manager said.

As for Kevin Gausman, who pitched last night, Schneider cannot commit, saying only, “We’ll see.” He noted that Gausman “emptied the tank” on Friday.

The Jays’ manager also quipped that Springer has 34 to 36 injuries.

“He’s battling. Whenever this is done later tonight or tomorrow, I think the world will be surprised at what he’s been playing through.”

-Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com digital journalist

3 p.m. - Last-minute tickets for Game 7 going for almost $1,300

Last-minute tickets to tonight’s Game 7 in Toronto won’t come cheap, a trend throughout the World Series run. On StubHub, general admission tickets (read: no assigned seating) were going for $1,274, while a seat behind the home plate was priced at $8,672.

Prices were similar at Ticketmaster, where general admission seats were going for $1,881.39 and a single ticket in row 9, close to the action, was listed at $11,113.41.

- Elianna Lev, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

1:45 p.m. - Ohtani will pitch in Game 7

The Dodgers confirmed Saturday afternoon what multiple reports had suggested: Shohei Ohtani will pitch in Game 7.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

1:30 p.m. - Carney will watch Game 7 in Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in South Korea Saturday that he’s looking forward to going back home to Canada to watch the World Series.

“The fact that I think I will be back in Canada in time to turn on the TV for Game 7, I’m grateful for that,” Carney said.

Carney is returning from the APEC summit, where he apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump for the anti-tariff ad that ran during broadcasts of Games 1 and 2 of the World Series.

- Elianna Lev, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

11:30 a.m. - ‘Resiliency is the core of this group’

Heading into Game 7, the Blue Jays face the familiar challenge of performing under pressure, something they have done time and time again in both the regular and post-season.

“Resiliency is the core of this group, in these playoffs in particular,” Scott Belford, host of the “Walk-Off” podcast told CTV News Channel on Saturday, noting how they erased a 2-0 series deficit in the ALCS to defeat the Seattle Mariners.

“Can they overcome this? I would say that, what the past is showing us is yes, they can. They’re going to need a big performance out of Max Scherzer, and the good news is that it’s all hand on deck. There are no rules in game 7 of the World Series. Everyone is available, we could see Kevin Gausman (who started Game 6) tonight, who knows?”

In the regular season, the Blue Jays led the league with 49 comeback wins.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

10:00 a.m. - Blue Jays join historic list

According to American sportswriter Sarah Langs, there have only ever been five teams to play two Game 7s in a single post-season.

Those teams include the 2017 Houston Astros, the 1991 Atlanta Braves, the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals, the 1986 Boston Red Sox and the 1985 Kansas City Royals.

“The Blue Jays will join this list,” Langs wrote.

Of those five teams, only the Astros and the Royals have won both.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

9:45 a.m. - ‘Game 7? Bring it on’: City hosting Game 7 watch party

The City of Toronto will host a free watch party for Game 7 at Nathan Phillips Square Saturday night.

Thousands flocked to the downtown outdoor space and braved the brisk temperatures Halloween night to take in Game 6, the City said.

The event is free and guests are advised to bring their own blankets or chairs to sit on.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

9:00 a.m. - Scherzer to make history

The World Series has gone the distance 40 times, but only twice in the last eight years, including Game 7 tonight.

The “Talkin’ Baseball” podcast noted that when Scherzer takes the mound at Rogers Centre, he will have pitched in both.

Scherzer last won the World Series as the starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals in Game 7 against the Houston Astro

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

8:30 a.m. - Drake reminisces about his own baseball days, unimpressed with dead ball call

Drake was feeling Blue Jays fever Friday night and showed his support by posting a series of nostalgic photos of himself to Instagram Stories, of his own early baseball days.

The series of snaps included one from a children’s baseball group he was part of in 1993, the year the Jays last won the World Series.

He ended the sequence of photos with an image of the ball Addison Barger drove into the outfield in the ninth inning, before the play was called dead and the hit was determined to be a ground-rule double. The rapper added his own commentary to the image - an unamused face emoji next to the baseball.

Drake was seen at Game 6 at Rogers Centre in a video posted by the MLB.

- Elianna Lev, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:00 a.m. - TTC, GO Transit ramping up service for Game 7

Both the TTC and GO Transit say they will increase service for Game 7 Saturday night.

In Toronto, the transit agency said there will be 10 extra trains on Line 1 and six extra trains on Line 2. Service will also be increased along downtown streetcar routes “where possible.”

However, speaking to CP24 on Friday, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said surface routes in the downtown core will be suspended if the Jays win.

“That’s simply because we just won’t be able to get through the crowds. And we don’t want any vehicles trapped and we want to keep everybody safe,” he said at the time.

The following GO train trips have also been added to accommodate fans trying to get home:

• Kitchener Line: departing Union Station at 12:35 a.m., making all stops and arriving at Kitchener GO at 2:27 a.m.
• Barrie Line: departing Union Station at 12:30 a.m., making all station stops and arriving at Allandale Waterfront GO at 2:13 a.m.
• Stouffville Line: departing Union Station at 12:30 a.m. and making all station stops before arriving at Old Elm GO at 1:42 a.m.

GO Transit also says that Lakeshore West Line rail service will be temporarily modified to accommodate critical work starting on Sunday. The repair work was previously deferred to accommodate the Jays’ World Series home games.

As a result, there will be no GO train service between Oakville GO and Union Station on Sunday and Monday.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

7:30 a.m. - Shohei Ohtani expected to get Game 7 start: reports

Multiple outlets are reporting that two-way player Shohei Ohtani will get the start for Game 7, although that’s yet to be confirmed by the club.

Ohtani last pitched on Tuesday following an 18-inning marathon Game 3 a day earlier. The Jays would get the best of Ohtani in Game 4 with a 6-2 victory.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

7:00 a.m. - U.S. media react to Dodgers’ pitching, Jays’ defence

Two of the biggest talking points from Game 6 came from the Dodgers’ star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the last out in the bottom of the ninth inning to end the game.

New York Yankees greats Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter discussed both aspects on the MLB on Fox panel Friday night. Click here to see what they said.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist

6:30 a.m. - Toronto Blue Jays to make World Series history in Game 7

For the first time in 32 years, the MLB season will come to an end in Canada. But whether it’s the Blue Jays or the Dodgers hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy remains to be seen.

Toronto has never played in a World Series Game 7 before tonight.

In its last two World Series appearances, in 1992 and 1993, both matchups extended to six games, with Toronto winning in Atlanta and at home, respectively.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Digital Journalist