Dodgers Triumph in Record-Tying 18-Inning World Series Marathon Against Blue Jays

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series, a marathon contest that extended to 18 innings. This epic showdown, played on Monday, October 27, 2025, tied the record for the longest World Series game by innings, propelling the Dodgers to a crucial 2-1 series lead, as reported by drydenwire.com .

Freddie Freeman emerged as the hero, hitting a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 18th inning to finally conclude the grueling affair. This clutch hit marked a historic achievement for Freeman, adding another memorable moment to his postseason legacy, according to Fox Sports.

Earlier in the game, Shohei Ohtani delivered an extraordinary performance for the Dodgers, contributing two home runs and two doubles. His offensive display set multiple individual World Series records, showcasing his unparalleled talent on baseball's biggest stage, tsn reported.

The game's immense duration, spanning six hours and 39 minutes, tested the endurance of both teams and captivated fans late into the night. Newsweek highlighted that this contest now stands as the second-longest World Series game by time, behind only the 2018 Fall Classic's Game 3.

With this hard-fought win, the Dodgers now hold a significant 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series. Historically, teams that win Game 3 after splitting the first two games have a considerably higher chance of winning the championship, as analyzed by TSN.

The unprecedented game was filled with dramatic momentum swings and shattered numerous statistical benchmarks beyond its sheer length. Both the Dodgers and Blue Jays utilized nearly their entire bullpens in an effort to secure the pivotal victory, CBS News noted.

• The 18-inning contest tied Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, also featuring the Dodgers, as the longest in Fall Classic history by innings, as reported by newsweek. While tying the innings record, the 2025 game, at six hours and 39 minutes, was the second-longest by time, behind the 2018 game's seven hours and 20 minutes, according to The Sporting News.
• Freddie Freeman's walk-off solo home run in the 18th inning was his second career World Series walk-off, a first in baseball history, Fox Sports noted. He previously hit a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, showcasing his clutch performance in baseball's biggest moments, as detailed by Wikipedia.
• Shohei Ohtani's record-setting night included two home runs and two doubles, totaling four extra-base hits, which tied a 119-year-old World Series record, CBS Sports reported. Furthermore, Ohtani reached base a remarkable nine times, setting a new postseason record and tying an MLB record, according to tsn.
• Winning Game 3 after a 1-1 series tie significantly boosts a team's championship prospects. Historically, the winner of Game 3 in such scenarios has gone on to win the World Series 69% of the time, as analyzed by TSN. This places the Dodgers in a commanding position for their second consecutive title, Sports Illustrated stated.
• The 18-inning marathon placed immense physical and mental strain on players. Studies indicate that prolonged play can lead to cognitive fatigue, impacting strike-zone judgment and increasing injury risk over a season, according to research cited by The Ithacan. The extensive travel and demanding schedule of MLB further exacerbate these issues, as noted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
• Beyond the length, the game shattered several other records. Both teams combined to strand 37 runners, the most ever in a postseason game, and used a record 19 pitchers, throwing a total of 609 pitches, a World Series record, mlb.com reported. These statistics underscore the extraordinary nature of the contest.
• The game featured critical bullpen appearances, including Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw pitching in the 12th inning, his first extra-inning relief outing in his career, CBS News highlighted. Blue Jays manager John Schneider noted the departure of George Springer due to injury, while Max Scherzer commented on the "crazy, crazy, crazy game," reflecting the high-stakes drama, CBC News reported.