Blue Jays’ Schneider, Guerrero Jr. Hit Historic Back-to-Back Homers as Toronto Takes 3-2 World Series Lead
On a crisp Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t just win Game 5 of the 2025 World Series—they rewrote the record books. A 6-1 rout over the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 29, 2025, gave Toronto a 3-2 series lead and put them one win away from their first championship since 1993. But the real story began before the first pitch had even settled into the catcher’s mitt. Davis Schneider, the 25-year-old outfielder from Mississauga, Ontario, launched a 412-foot homer to left on the very first pitch. Then, without so much as a breath, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 26-year-old Montreal native and fan favorite, crushed the next pitch 438 feet to center. It was the first time in World Series history two batters had homered on the opening two pitches of a game. MLB’s official game story called it ‘unprecedented.’ Fans in the stands? They were still standing.
Yesavage’s Breakthrough: A Rookie’s Moment
While Schneider and Guerrero Jr. stole the headlines, it was Trey Yesavage, the 22-year-old rookie right-hander from Raleigh, North Carolina, who turned the game into a masterclass. On his first World Series start, he struck out 12 Dodgers—tying the Blue Jays’ franchise record for strikeouts in a World Series game—and allowed just one run over seven innings. Three hits. No walks. Only one extra-base hit. He didn’t just pitch well—he pitched like a veteran who’d been here a dozen times. And he hadn’t even pitched in a postseason game until this October. The Dodgers’ lineup, which had batted .285 in the regular season, looked lost. They swung at sliders in the dirt. They chased fastballs out of the zone. Yesavage, with a low three-quarter arm slot and a slider that darted like a startled bird, made them look slow.
Dodgers’ Offense: Silent and Stuck
For the Dodgers, it was déjà vu. Their lone run came in the sixth inning on a Mookie Betts RBI single—his first hit of the series with runners in scoring position. Their collective average with runners in scoring position? .198. They’d managed only three hits total. Blake Snell, the 33-year-old lefty from Seattle, took the loss after giving up three runs in 4.1 innings. It was his fourth straight postseason start with at least three earned runs. He’d allowed five home runs in Game 1. Now, he was gone before the seventh inning. The Dodgers’ bats, so fearsome in the regular season (108 wins), looked like they’d forgotten how to swing. As Los Angeles Times columnist Tony Jackson wrote: ‘They didn’t just lose tonight. They lost their rhythm. And rhythm is everything in October.’
Experts React: A New Era for Toronto?
On FOX Sports’ post-game analysis, former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter called Yesavage’s performance ‘the kind of calm you can’t teach.’ Alex Rodriguez, the former Yankee third baseman, added: ‘This kid doesn’t just have stuff—he has presence. You can see it in his eyes.’ And David Ortiz, the legendary Red Sox slugger, put it bluntly: ‘When you hit two homers on the first two pitches? That’s not luck. That’s a statement. And Toronto just told the world they’re not here to make up the numbers.’
For the Blue Jays, this isn’t just about winning a game. It’s about reclaiming legacy. Founded in 1977, they won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993—the only Canadian team ever to do so. Since then, they’ve flirted with contention, but never this close. Now, with Game 6 set for Saturday, October 31, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, they have a real shot. Kevin Gausman, their ace, is set to start. He’s 1-0 in the postseason with a 1.80 ERA. He’s also a veteran of seven playoff series. He knows what this means.
What’s at Stake: History, Home Field, and the Hometown Crowd
The Dodgers, meanwhile, face elimination for the first time this postseason. They’ve won 108 games. They’ve got the payroll, the roster, the pedigree. But they’re 0-3 in games where they’ve trailed in the series. And now, they’re flying home from a stadium where they’ve lost three straight playoff games. The pressure isn’t just on their bats—it’s on their entire identity. Are they a team built for the regular season? Or can they rise when it matters most?
For Toronto, the stakes are deeper. The city hasn’t seen a championship parade since Joe Carter’s walk-off in ’93. A generation has grown up without one. Kids in Mississauga, Hamilton, and Ottawa now wear Blue Jays jerseys with the same reverence as kids in New York wear Yankees caps. If they win Game 6, it won’t just be a title. It’ll be a cultural reset.
What’s Next: Game 6 at Rogers Centre
Game 6 is set for Saturday, October 31, 2025, at 8:08 PM Eastern Time. The Blue Jays will host the Dodgers at Rogers Centre, where the crowd is expected to exceed 50,000—many of them wearing Guerrero Jr.’s #27 jersey. If the Blue Jays win, they’ll claim their third World Series title. If the Dodgers win, it’s back to LA for a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. Either way, the narrative has shifted. This isn’t just about baseball anymore. It’s about legacy, geography, and the quiet, stubborn hope of a city that’s waited 32 years to feel like champions again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has any team ever hit back-to-back home runs to start a World Series game before?
No. Before Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did it in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series, no pair of batters in World Series history had ever homered on the first two pitches of a game. MLB’s official records confirm this as a first since the Series began in 1903. Even in the 1992 and 1993 Blue Jays championship runs, no opener featured back-to-back homers.
How rare is a 22-year-old pitcher striking out 12 in a World Series game?
Extremely rare. Trey Yesavage became the youngest pitcher in Toronto Blue Jays history to record double-digit strikeouts in a World Series game. Since 1903, only 17 pitchers under 23 have struck out 12 or more batters in a World Series game. The last was Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, and he was 20. Yesavage’s composure under pressure, especially on the road, makes him one of the most promising young arms in modern baseball.
Why is this World Series significant for the Toronto Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays last won the World Series in 1993—32 years ago. They’ve made the playoffs six times since but never returned to the final round. This is their first appearance since 1993, and with a 3-2 series lead, they’re one win away from their third championship. For Canada, it’s not just about baseball—it’s about national pride. No Canadian team has won a major North American sports title since the 2019 Toronto Raptors.
What’s the significance of Game 6 being in Toronto?
Home-field advantage in the World Series goes to the team with the better regular-season record, which was the Dodgers (108-54). But because the Blue Jays are hosting Game 6, they get the final at-bat in a potential Game 7. More importantly, Rogers Centre will be electric—over 50,000 fans are expected, many wearing Guerrero Jr. jerseys. The energy could be the difference-maker, especially if the Dodgers’ bats stay cold.
How has the Dodgers’ offense performed in this series?
The Dodgers’ offense has been eerily quiet. Their team batting average in the series is .203, and with runners in scoring position, it’s dropped to .198. Mookie Betts, their star center fielder, has just one RBI in the last four games. They’ve struck out 47 times in five games—more than any team in a five-game World Series since 2015. Their power numbers, once dominant, have vanished.
Who are the key decision-makers for the Blue Jays and Dodgers?
For the Blue Jays, President and CEO Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins have built a roster that blends youth and experience. For the Dodgers, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and GM Brandon Gomes have overseen a team that dominated the regular season but now faces questions about playoff execution. Both front offices will be under intense scrutiny as the series heads to Game 6.
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