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This year's championship series is going to a final Game 7 following the Los Angeles Dodgers kept their title defense hopes intact on Friday with a three to one victory over the Blue Jays in Game 6.

The reigning title holders ended Toronto’s late-game comeback with a dramatic game-ending double play, stunning a home audience that had come ready to cheer the team's championship in 32 years.

Game 6 Recap

Los Angeles generated all of their offense in the third frame. With two outs, Ohtani was intentionally walked before Will Smith doubled to left to bring home Edman. Freddie Freeman drew a walk to load the bases, and Mookie Betts came through with a two-run single to left, handing the Dodgers a three-run lead.

That key hit broke a playoff dry spell and revived the defending champions’ aspirations of being the initial back-to-back World Series winners since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000.

Mound Duel

Gausman had been nearly unhittable to that point, striking out six of the initial seven Dodgers he confronted. He fanned 8 through three innings, tying a Fall Classic mark, but the third-inning barrage proved decisive. The Toronto ace ended with 8 Ks over six innings, allowing three runs on three safeties and two walks.

Yamamoto, in contrast, was steady again under pressure. The 27-year-old right-hander outdueled his counterpart for the second occasion in a week, giving up a single run on five hits over six innings with six strikeouts. He boosted his record to 4–1 this playoffs with a 1.56 ERA.

The only run against him came on George Springer two-out single in the third, driving in Barger, who had hit a double previously in the frame. Springer’s hit provided a brief spark in his comeback to the starting nine after missing two games with an side strain.

Bullpen Effort

After that, the Dodgers’ bullpen took over. First-year pitcher Wrobleski got out of a jam in the seventh inning, and another rookie Sasaki worked into the ninth before hitting Alejandro Kirk to start the frame. Barger then hit a two-base hit that became wedged under the left-center-field fence, obliging runners to stay at second and third.

Glasnow, Los Angeles’ third game starting pitcher, entered in a relief role and induced a popout before Giménez lined to left field. Enrique Hernández caught the ball and threw to second base to retire Barger, sealing the victory and earning Glasnow his first career save.

Next Up: Game 7

The series now comes down to a single contest. Max Scherzer will take the mound for the Blue Jays, making him the only living pitcher to pitch in multiple seventh games of the World Series after doing so in the 2019 season with the Nationals. The 40-year-old inked a one-year deal to chase one more title and has been a outspoken presence throughout this postseason.

The Los Angeles squad, looking to become the sport's first back-to-back title winners in almost 25 years, are projected to rely on their two-way star for a brief appearance.