We’re going to Game 7!

In a must-win Game 6 of the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered. After manager Dave Roberts shook up his lineup, new cleanup hitter Mookie Betts broke out of a series-long slump and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was excellent again on the mound, forcing the Toronto Blue Jays to a winner-take-all finale on Saturday night.

Here’s how L.A.’s victory went down, with our in-game analysis and postgame takeaways.

Takeaways

Series tied at 3

It was over when …: Enrique Hernandez caught an Andres Gimenez line drive and threw it to Miguel Rojas for a game-ending double play. The Blue Jays had put men on second and third with no one out in the bottom of the ninth off closer Roki Sasaki, and the Dodgers were forced to turn to Tyler Glasnow — who got out of the jam, thanks in part to his defense, to force Game 7 on Saturday night.

Star of Game 6: Toronto made Yoshinobu Yamamoto work a little harder this time, but he still worked six outstanding frames, limiting the Blue Jays to one run and working around traffic several times. Yamamoto is now 4-1 with a 1.56 ERA over five October outings. If that’s it for his postseason run, he’s done his part for the Dodgers and more. This is why L.A. signed him to the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher when he inked it.

The stat that defined the game: In the last 30 years, there have been five players to pitch 15-plus innings in the World Series and allow two runs or fewer: Randy Johnson in 2001, Josh Beckett in 2003, Jon Lester in 2013, Madison Bumgarner in 2014 — and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in 2025, according to ESPN Research. Each of the previous four saw their team win the World Series.

What it means for the series: Blue Jays manager John Schneider knew he had a game to work with. There was no reason to go all hands on deck, and since the game was well-pitched by both teams, neither bullpen was annihilated by the events of Game 6. This was a risk the Dodgers would have had to take to survive, but thanks to Yamamoto and the clean work from the relievers that followed him, the Dodgers join the Blue Jays in having a staff in good shape for Saturday. Game 7 will be a fascinating chess match from the time the starting pitchers and lineups are announced. If the finale is anything like the different scenes of what has come before it, it’s going to be special. — Bradford Doolittle

Relive all the action

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With head coach Kevin O’Sullivan taking a leave of absence and interim Chuck Jeroloman leaving for Tennessee, Florida hired Tom Slater as associate and acting head coach Friday.

Slater, 57, most recently worked in player development with the Philadelphia Phillies. Before that, he was a senior advisor/minor league hitting coordinator for the Miami Marlins (2021 to 2024).

He also served as head coach at Auburn (2005 to 2008) and VMI (2001 to 2003), along with assistant coaching roles in the Southeastern Conference at Florida (2004) and Auburn (1995 to 2000).

“Tom Slater brings a wealth of experience, leadership and deep Gator ties to this role,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “With more than three decades in college and professional baseball, including extensive experience in the SEC, he’s earned universal respect across the game.”

O’Sullivan took a leave of absence last week to address personal matters. Jeroloman took over and then left Thursday to join new coach Josh Elander’s staff at Tennessee.

O’Sullivan is the program’s career wins leader with a 756-371 (.671) record over 18 seasons. He has led the Gators to 17 NCAA regionals, nine College World Series appearances, six SEC championships and the 2017 national title.