The 2025 World Series, the ultimate stage of Major League Baseball, is heading to an electrifying Game 7 after the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a dramatic win in Game 6. But the real story wasn’t just the victory itself—it was the jaw-dropping decision to bring in Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers’ scheduled Game 7 starter, to close out the game.
This move wasn’t merely tactical—it was psychological warfare, a defining moment that showcased the Dodgers’ “win now or go home” mentality.
Game 6: Dodgers Go All or Nothing
The Dodgers’ Game 6 win was built on two pillars—Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s poise and manager Dave Roberts’ audacious late-game maneuvering.
Yamamoto delivered a masterclass performance, allowing just one run over six innings while keeping Toronto’s lineup in check. His command set the stage for a third-inning rally led by Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. Betts’ clutch two-RBI single swung the momentum decisively toward L.A.
But the defining moment came in the ninth inning. When closer Roki Sasaki loaded the bases with no outs, Roberts made a move that stunned the baseball world—he summoned Tyler Glasnow from the bullpen. Scheduled to start the next night, Glasnow entered with everything on the line and coolly shut the door, inducing weak contact and sealing the win with surgical precision.
This was more than a risky call—it was a declaration: “We play to win tonight.”
The Real Strategy: Sacrificing the Ace to Control Game 7
At first glance, burning Glasnow in Game 6 seemed reckless. But in reality, it was a strategic recalibration. The Dodgers’ plan for Game 7 now appears to hinge on a bullpen-by-committee approach, using multiple arms—possibly Tony Gonsolin, Walker Buehler, and others—to piece together nine innings.
This “swarm pitching” strategy neutralizes Toronto’s powerful lineup by preventing them from seeing the same arm twice. Rather than relying on one starter, the Dodgers are betting on relentless depth, quick hooks, and fresh relievers every inning.
In other words, Roberts turned a potential Game 7 disadvantage into an opportunity to unleash tactical chaos.
Toronto’s 32-Year Quest: Pressure Meets Opportunity
For the Toronto Blue Jays, Game 7 represents a chance to end a 32-year championship drought—on home turf, no less. But that also means immense pressure. Their missed opportunity in the ninth inning of Game 6 could haunt them if they can’t strike early.
Toronto’s success will hinge on their starter’s ability to go deep into the game and minimize bullpen exposure. If their starter falters before the fifth inning, they’ll be dragged into a war of attrition against one of MLB’s most resourceful bullpens.
Key hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer must deliver early and often to keep momentum on Toronto’s side.
The Final Verdict: Where Game 7 Will Be Won
Data and history agree—Game 7s are rarely decided by stars alone. They’re decided by bullpens and first blood.
The Dodgers’ use of Glasnow in Game 6 shifted the tone of the series; they proved they’ll deploy every weapon available to secure a repeat title. Toronto, meanwhile, must capitalize on their home-field energy before L.A.’s relentless pitching carousel takes over.
No matter the outcome, this Game 7 is set to become a classic showdown of strategy, stamina, and sheer will—the kind of baseball that defines legacies.