The Los Angeles Dodgers ended a six-hour marathon at Dodger Stadium with a 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series — all thanks to a walk-off home run by first baseman Freddie Freeman in the 18th inning. The game, played on October 27, 2025, featured 612 pitches, 37 pitchers used across both teams, and 37 runners left on base — 19 by Toronto, 18 by Los Angeles. It wasn’t just long. It was legendary.
When the Game Outlasted the Clock
By the 12th inning, most fans had gone home. Or switched channels. Or called it a night. But those who stayed saw something rare: a World Series game that refused to end. The Blue Jays, the best team in the American League this season, had chances — three-run leads in the 5th and 8th — only to watch them vanish. The Dodgers, meanwhile, clawed back from deficits with clutch hits, stolen bases, and defensive gems. The turning point? A two-out, two-strike double by Freddie Freeman in the 16th, tying the game at 5-5. Then, in the 18th, with one out and a man on first, Freeman launched a 94-mph slider from Blue Jays reliever Yusei Kikuchi into the left-field pavilion. The stadium exploded. The scoreboard read: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 5. Game over.
The Unsung Hero: Will Klein’s Miracle
But the real story wasn’t Freeman’s homer. It was Will Klein.
Just 48 hours before this game, Klein was pitching for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, with a 7.00 ERA. He’d thrown 66 total pitches in September. In Game 4 of the World Series, he threw 72 — four scoreless innings, no hits, no walks, five strikeouts. He didn’t just hold the line. He broke it. He came in with the game tied 5-5 in the 14th. He left in the 18th, with the Dodgers still alive. And then Freeman did the rest.
"Every iconic Dodger moment," said Colin Cowherd on his October 28, 2025, broadcast of The Herd, "it’s not just about the money. There’s always a Will Klein. He was pitching for the Tacoma Rainiers. That’s near where I grew up. He had a 7.00 ERA. And then last night? He threw 72 pitches against the best team in the American League. That’s baseball. That’s why we watch."
Shohei Ohtani’s Quiet Masterpiece
While Freeman got the headlines, Shohei Ohtani was doing something even rarer: he reached base nine times across seven plate appearances. Four walks. Five hits. One sacrifice fly. He didn’t homer. He didn’t drive in a run. But he was on base for 42% of the game’s innings. "In basketball," Cowherd noted, "you say 6 for 6 — that’s MJ. Ohtani got on base nine times. That’s his number. Nobody else could do that."
Defensive Magic and Wasted Opportunities
The Blue Jays had 19 runners stranded. The Dodgers had 18. Both teams had runners on third with less than two outs — and failed to score. But the Dodgers had Tommy Edmond. The shortstop made three highlight-reel plays — one diving stop up the middle in the 10th, a backhanded snag in the 13th, and a perfect throw to nail a runner at the plate in the 17th. "That’s what Tommy Edmond does all the time," Cowherd said. "He’s not flashy. He’s not on the cover of Sports Illustrated. But he’s the reason this team doesn’t fall apart."
Why This Game Changes Everything
The Dodgers now lead the series 3-1. The Blue Jays, despite their offensive firepower and AL-best 108 wins, look rattled. They’ve now lost two games in extra innings — both at Dodger Stadium. The pressure is mounting. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has shown something deeper than star power: resilience. Depth. Grit. A bullpen that didn’t crack. A rookie pitcher who didn’t flinch. A shortstop who didn’t blink.
This wasn’t a movie. As Cowherd put it, "It was more like an eight-part Netflix special. Six hours. 600 pitches. And every inning had a cliffhanger."
What’s Next?
Game 5 shifts to Toronto on October 30. The Blue Jays must win to stay alive. The Dodgers, with their ace Julio Urías scheduled to start, look poised to close it out. But if history teaches us anything, it’s this: in a World Series this unpredictable, nothing is guaranteed. Not even the best team in the league.
Behind the Numbers
- 18 innings — longest World Series game since 2018 (Dodgers vs. Red Sox, 18 innings)
- 612 pitches — most in a single World Series game since 1991
- 72 pitches thrown by Will Klein — most by a reliever in a World Series game since 2004
- 9 times on base by Shohei Ohtani — most in a single World Series game since 1986
- 19 runners left on base by Toronto — most in a World Series game since 1981
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is an 18-inning World Series game?
Only three 18-inning games have ever occurred in World Series history — the last was in 2018 between the Dodgers and Red Sox. Before that, you have to go back to 1916. These games are so rare that they account for less than 0.1% of all World Series contests. The average World Series game lasts 2.5 hours. This one lasted six.
Who is Will Klein, and why was his performance so surprising?
Will Klein was a minor league pitcher for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, with a 7.00 ERA in 2025. He’d thrown only 66 pitches total in September. His call-up to the Dodgers was a last-minute roster move. Throwing 72 pitches over four scoreless innings in the World Series — against the best team in the American League — is arguably the most unlikely relief performance in modern postseason history.
Did Shohei Ohtani have the best game of his career?
While Ohtani didn’t homer or drive in runs, reaching base nine times in a single World Series game is unprecedented. The only player to match it in the modern era was Ted Williams in 1941 — and that was in a regular-season game. In the postseason, no one has done it since 1920. His ability to draw walks and hit line drives under pressure made him the engine of the Dodgers’ offense.
Why did the Blue Jays struggle so much with runners in scoring position?
Toronto went 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position. Their top hitters — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette — combined for 1-for-12. Pitchers like Will Klein and Brusdar Graterol kept them off balance with high fastballs and slider combinations. The Blue Jays’ offense, usually so explosive, froze under pressure. They had chances. They just couldn’t capitalize.
What does this mean for the rest of the World Series?
The Dodgers now hold a 3-1 lead and are one win away from their second title in three years. The Blue Jays must win two straight in Toronto — a tall task after losing two games in extra innings at Dodger Stadium. The mental toll is real. Meanwhile, Los Angeles’s depth, from Freeman’s bat to Klein’s arm to Edmond’s glove, has proven they’re more than just a star team — they’re a championship team.
Is this the greatest World Series game ever?
It’s in the conversation. It matches the drama of Game 6 in 1986 (Mookie Wilson’s ground ball) and the length of Game 2 in 2018. But what sets this apart is the sheer unpredictability — a 7.00 ERA reliever becoming a legend, a shortstop making impossible plays, and a star like Ohtani dominating without a homer. It wasn’t just a game. It was a testament to baseball’s soul.
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Theodore Livingstone
Hello, my name is Theodore Livingstone, and I am a dedicated health care expert with years of experience in the field. I am passionate about helping others achieve optimal health and wellness through sharing my knowledge and expertise. As an avid writer, I enjoy sharing my insights and experiences through articles and blog posts to educate and empower others to make informed decisions about their health. My ultimate goal is to inspire people to live healthier lives and make a positive impact on the world.
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