Blue Jays Take 3-2 Series Lead After Rookie Moseley’s Historic 12-K Performance in 6-1 Win Over Dodgers
The Toronto Blue Jays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 in Game 5 of the 2025 World SeriesDodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, seizing a 3-2 series lead with a performance that will echo through baseball history. Rookie pitcher Trey Moseley, a 23-year-old from Riverside, California, delivered a masterpiece: 7.0 innings, 12 strikeouts, zero walks, just three hits allowed. It wasn’t just dominant—it was record-shattering. Moseley became the first rookie in World Series history to strike out 12 batters without issuing a free pass. And he didn’t do it alone. On the very first two pitches of the game, Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched back-to-back home runs off Blake Snell, silencing the 53,239 fans at Dodger Stadium before the game even had time to breathe. The Blue Jays never looked back.
From the First Pitch to the Final Out
The tone was set before the Dodgers even had a chance to adjust. Schneider, the 26-year-old designated hitter in his third MLB season, launched Snell’s first pitch into the right-field pavilion. Guerrero Jr., the two-time All-Star and fan favorite, followed with a no-doubter to left. It was the first time in World Series history that a team opened with consecutive home runs on the first two pitches. The crowd, still buzzing from the Dodgers’ Game 4 comeback in Toronto, fell into stunned silence. By the third inning, Moseley was already in cruise control—fastballs at 97 mph, a devastating slider that looked like a breaking ball until it wasn’t.
The Dodgers’ lone run came in the fifth, when a soft single and a stolen base led to a sac fly by Teoscar Hernández, the former Blue Jay now wearing LA’s blue. But even that was a mirage. Moseley retired the next six batters in order, striking out three of them. By the seventh, he had faced 26 batters and allowed just three hits. When he walked off the mound after 102 pitches, the stadium gave him a standing ovation—rare for a visiting pitcher, especially a rookie.
The Closer and the Final Strike
Jeff Hoffman, the 32-year-old reliever Toronto signed as a free agent last December, entered with two outs in the eighth. He didn’t just close the door—he welded it shut. He struck out Will Smith, the Dodgers’ All-Star catcher, on a 96-mph fastball that froze him. Then, with the tying run on second, Hoffman faced Hernández again—this time for the final out. The crowd rose. The pitch came in low and away. Hernández swung late. Strike three. The Blue Jays bench erupted. Hoffman didn’t even celebrate. He just nodded. He’d been here before.
A Series That Changed Everything
This win flips the script on a series that had been tightly contested. The Blue Jays opened with an 11-4 thumping in Game 1 on October 24, then lost Game 2 5-1. They won Game 3 in Toronto on October 27, only to see the Dodgers even things up with a gritty 4-3 win in Game 4 on October 28. Now, with the series at 3-2, Toronto holds the momentum—and home-field advantage. Game 6 is set for Friday, October 31, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the Blue Jays haven’t won a World Series game since 1993. Game 7, if needed, follows on November 1.
Manager John Schneider, who took over full-time in June 2022, called it "the most complete game we’ve played all year." His words carried weight. After years of playoff disappointments and rebuilding, this team has found its identity—not through flashy signings, but through grit, youth, and fearless execution. Moseley, a second-round pick in 2023, didn’t even start the season in the rotation. He was called up in August after an injury to Kevin Gausman and has since become the team’s most reliable arm.
What’s at Stake
If the Blue Jays win Game 6, they’ll claim their third World Series title—first since 1993, when Joe Carter’s walk-off homer ended a 32-year drought. For the Dodgers, it’s a chance to win their eighth championship and first since 2020. But they’re facing more than a team—they’re facing history. Moseley’s performance may be the most dominant rookie outing in World Series history. And the Blue Jays’ offense? It’s no longer just about Guerrero Jr. It’s about depth, timing, and belief.
The Dodgers’ only hope now is Clayton Kershaw, who’s slated to start Game 6. But Kershaw, 37, has never won a World Series game on the road. And Toronto’s lineup? They’ve seen him before. In Game 2, they hit him hard. They’ll do it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Trey Moseley’s performance compare to other rookie pitchers in World Series history?
Moseley’s 12 strikeouts without a walk in Game 5 shattered the previous rookie record of 11 strikeouts, set by Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. He’s also the first rookie to throw 7+ innings with 12+ Ks and zero walks in any World Series game. Even legends like Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson never matched that combination in the Fall Classic.
Why is this series so significant for the Toronto Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays haven’t reached the World Series since 1993, and they haven’t won a title since then. After decades of near-misses and rebuilding, this team—led by young stars like Guerrero Jr. and Moseley—has a real shot at ending a 32-year championship drought. A win in Game 6 would make them only the second Canadian team to win the World Series.
What impact does Game 6 being in Toronto have on the series?
The Rogers Centre will be electric—over 50,000 fans are expected, many wearing blue and white for the first time in decades. The Blue Jays are 7-1 at home this postseason, and their offense thrives in front of their own crowd. For the Dodgers, winning two straight on the road against a team with momentum is a tall order—especially with Kershaw pitching on short rest.
Who are the key players to watch in Game 6?
For Toronto, Moseley’s next start isn’t scheduled, but Bo Bichette and Kevin Kiermaier need to keep producing. For LA, Kershaw must dominate, and Shohei Ohtani—who’s been quiet in the series—needs to find his swing. If the Dodgers don’t get a lead early, the pressure could overwhelm them.
What’s the historical context of the Dodgers and Blue Jays meeting in the World Series?
This is only the second time these franchises have met in the World Series. The first was in 1993, when the Blue Jays won in six games. That series featured Joe Carter’s legendary home run. Now, 32 years later, Toronto is back—and the Dodgers, despite their recent dominance, are in unfamiliar territory: facing elimination on the road against a team that’s suddenly playing with house money.
What’s the weather forecast for Game 6 in Toronto?
The forecast for October 31 calls for a high of 11°C (52°F) and a 20% chance of light rain in the evening. The Rogers Centre’s retractable roof will likely remain closed, keeping conditions consistent. That favors pitchers like Moseley and Kershaw—both thrive in controlled environments. But for hitters? Cold air means less carry. Every fly ball matters.