Dodgers’ World Series bid stalls as Blue Jays even series after Guerrero Jr. homer off Ohtani in Game 4
The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series, tying the series 2-2 after Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two-run homer off Shohei Ohtani shifted momentum back to Toronto and home-field advantage.
Key takeaways
- Final score: Blue Jays 6, Dodgers 2. Series tied 2-2.
- Turning point: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in the third inning.
- Ohtani’s line: charged with 4 earned runs; left after trouble in the seventh; had retired 11 of 12 batters earlier in the game.
- Dodgers bullpen: Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen combined to allow four runs in the seventh, two charged to Ohtani.
- Series situation: tied 2-2 and shifting back to Toronto for the final games.
Ohtani’s first World Series pitching start and the swing that changed the game
Shohei Ohtani took the mound for the Dodgers in his first World Series pitching start with the game tied and national attention squarely on him. He began well, retiring 11 of 12 Blue Jays batters and looking in control early.
In the third inning, a sweeper he left over the plate was driven out by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — a two-run home run that immediately put Toronto ahead and altered the game’s trajectory. That hit set the tone for the day and forced Los Angeles onto the defensive for the late innings.
Ohtani’s resilience, workload and exit
After the Guerrero Jr. blast, Ohtani settled and limited Toronto through several innings, reaching the seventh at about 90 pitches. The Dodgers elected to let him continue, but he allowed two batters to reach to start the seventh and was then removed. Official accounts list Ohtani with four earned runs allowed for the outing, with two of those runs charged to him after the bullpen allowed additional damage.
Bullpen breakdown: one inning decides Game 4
The seventh inning exposed persistent concerns with the Dodgers’ relief staff. Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen were summoned and the inning unraveled as the Blue Jays manufactured four runs, taking advantage of inherited runners and shaky relief work. The seventh inning exposed persistent concerns with the Dodgers’ relief staff, and those runs turned a one-run game into a decisive advantage for Toronto.
Managers and matchups: decisions under the microscope
The sequence raises clear questions about in-game decisions: when to ride a top starter versus when to turn early to a bullpen that has shown vulnerability. Allowing Ohtani to face the lineup into the seventh carried risk given his workload and the relief depth concerns. The sequence raises clear questions about in-game decisions, and those calls will be dissected as the series heads back to Toronto.
Dodgers offense: quiet after a big Game 3
Los Angeles managed only two runs and could not replicate the offensive explosion of Game 3, when Ohtani had a historic hitting night. In Game 4, Toronto’s pitching and timely defense kept the Dodgers largely in check. That inconsistency in scoring puts pressure back on the pitching staff to hold leads or keep games within reach.
Toronto’s big inning and momentum swing
The decisive stretch was the seventh inning, when Toronto plated four runs to turn a close contest into a comfortable lead. Guerrero Jr.’s third-inning homer provided the initial edge, but the seventh created separation. Defense, timely hitting and bullpen execution combined to give the Blue Jays the win and send the series back to Toronto tied. The hit, the inning and Toronto’s relief work combined to give the Blue Jays the win and send the series back to Toronto tied, with home-field advantage effectively shifting in their favor for the closing games.
Sources and visual highlights
Game coverage and postgame highlights show Guerrero Jr.’s homer and the key seventh-inning rally. The MLB’s game recaps provide play-by-play detail and official statistics for Ohtani and the bullpen; play-by-play detail and official statistics for Ohtani and the bullpen. For the official game recap see Blue Jays win World Series Game 4 (MLB recap). Highlight reels and clip packages are available via video highlight reels and clip packages.
What this means for managing pitching resources
This game underscores a larger strategic question: how to balance a two-way star’s workload against bullpen depth. Ohtani’s role as both elite hitter and starting pitcher is an asset yet complicates durability and matchup decisions. The Dodgers’ seventh-inning collapse suggests a need to reassess reliever sequencing and the timing of pull decisions in high-leverage moments.
Implications for the United States
Economic and viewer impact: A tied series returning to Toronto will keep national TV ratings and advertising interest high, extending value for networks and local sponsors.
Fan access and travel: U.S.-based fans face changed travel plans and potential cost shifts for trips to Toronto, particularly those in Eastern and Central zones.
Local businesses: Sports bars and restaurants in Dodgers country and across American communities will feel the ebb and flow of attendance tied to the series.
Youth and grassroots baseball: The series highlights two-way play and the importance of pitching depth for coaches and small-roster programs.
Betting, fantasy and local interest: Swing games like this shift lines and fantasy valuations quickly for fans who follow betting or fantasy contests.
National conversation about roster construction: The result renews debate about investing in starting pitching versus reliable relief arms; the Dodgers’ struggles put bullpen depth in the spotlight.
Managerial accountability: Decisions around pitch selection, timing and reliever use will drive scrutiny across talk radio, sports pages and community discussions.
“Every decision now carries added weight as the series moves north; the next managers’ moves could decide a championship.”
For continued game breakdowns and highlight clips, see MLB’s official recaps and video packages: Shohei Ohtani pitches — MLB recap, Blue Jays win World Series Game 4 — MLB recap and video highlights.
