After suffering a crushing walk-off loss in an 18-inning marathon in Game 3 — a six-hour, 39-minute epic that drained every ounce of energy — the Toronto Blue Jays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers just 17 hours later, rallying for a 6–2 victory in Game 4.
More than just evening the World Series at two games apiece, this win came against Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ ace and centerpiece. It was a triumph of resilience, intelligence, and sheer nerve.
Toronto once again demonstrated the “championship DNA” that carried them from a 0–2 deficit to an ALCS victory earlier in the postseason. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s go-ahead home run and Shane Bieber’s composed pitching headlined a performance that blended mental toughness with strategic precision.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers squandered Ohtani’s much-anticipated start with questionable bullpen management and a silent lineup, turning what could have been a commanding 3–1 lead into a missed opportunity.
From 18-Inning Trauma to Mental Reboot in 17 Hours
Few teams could recover from an 18-inning heartbreak that ends with a walk-off homer on baseball’s biggest stage. But Toronto did — and fast.
The key? Their deep-rooted resilience. The Blue Jays’ clubhouse culture revolves around a simple mantra: “Erase the last game.” It’s not denial — it’s a confident reset built on experience.
After surrendering an early run in the second inning, Toronto didn’t flinch. Instead, they tapped into the same grit that powered their ALCS comeback against Seattle. That mental reset, more than any tactical adjustment, laid the foundation for this pivotal win.
Beating Shohei Ohtani: The Power of an Aggressive Plan
All eyes were on Shohei Ohtani making his long-awaited World Series pitching debut. After torching Toronto’s pitching the night before with two home runs and two doubles, Ohtani appeared poised to dominate again — until the Blue Jays flipped the script.
Their game plan: attack early counts and target the sweeper.
Ohtani’s fastball command wavered as he tried to stretch deep into the game, and Guerrero Jr. made him pay. In the third inning, with a 2–1 hitter’s count, Guerrero crushed a hanging 85 mph sweeper left up in the zone for a two-run homer — a perfectly timed swing based on meticulous scouting, not luck.
That blast didn’t just change the score; it changed the energy. Toronto’s dugout came alive, and their hitters stayed aggressive from that point on.
Efficiency and Precision: The Pitching Blueprint Behind the Win
While the offense grabbed headlines, Toronto’s pitching strategy quietly stole the show.
After burning through nine pitchers in Game 3’s marathon loss, the Blue Jays flipped to an efficiency-first approach in Game 4.
Starter Shane Bieber delivered exactly what the club needed — 5⅓ innings of one-run baseball — giving the bullpen a much-needed breather. Three relievers closed it out cleanly, holding the Dodgers to a single run over the final frames.
The decisive moment came in the seventh inning, when Toronto exploded for four runs. After Dalton Varsho and Ernie Clement chased Ohtani from the game, Andrés Giménez and pinch-hitter Ty France drove in runs that sealed the victory. It was “smart baseball” in its purest form — minimal risk, maximum payoff.
Dodgers’ Dilemma: Ohtani’s Pitching Debut Turns Bittersweet
For Los Angeles, this loss will sting. Ohtani’s pitching debut was supposed to tilt the series; instead, it revealed a dilemma.
The Dodgers hoped their two-way superstar could go deep after using 10 pitchers the previous night. But when Ohtani labored in the seventh with runners on, manager Dave Roberts hesitated — and paid for it.
The late bullpen change came too late, and the game unraveled in minutes.
Ohtani finished with 6 innings, 4 earned runs, and just 3 strikeouts — far from his dominant best. He also went hitless at the plate (0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk), a quiet night that underscored how much the Dodgers’ offense relies on his spark.
A Deadlocked Series — and a Test of Resilience
Now tied at 2–2, the World Series has transformed into a psychological battle as much as a baseball one.
Toronto must carry its newfound momentum into Game 5, leaning on its restored confidence and balanced pitching plan. The Dodgers, meanwhile, need answers — both at the plate and in the dugout — to avoid surrendering home-field advantage before the series shifts north.
The story of this series isn’t just about who’s hotter or deeper. It’s about who can recover faster, think sharper, and stay tougher under pressure.
Game 4 proved that Toronto can do all three. Game 5 will show if they can do it again.