World Series Game 7 tonight: Dodgers–Blue Jays winner-take-all guide (time, probables, storylines)

Baseball gets its first Game 7 since 2019 tonight as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays meet for the title at Rogers Centre. After a tense 3–1 finish in Game 6, everything comes down to one night, one ballpark, and two superstar arms.

When and where is World Series Game 7?

• Date: Saturday, November 1

• First pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT; 12:00 a.m. GMT)

• Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto (retractable roof; weather is not expected to be a factor)

• How to watch: National TV in the U.S.; official league streaming platform and radio carry nationwide. Local blackout rules may apply.

Probable pitchers

• Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani, RHP — The two-way megastar takes the ball on short rest in a carefully managed start. Expect an aggressive plan early (upper-90s four-seamers, splitters to finish) with a quick hook if traffic builds. A bulk reliever is queued up behind him.

• Blue Jays: Max Scherzer, RHP — The three-time Cy Young winner leans on command, shape, and big-game muscle memory. If the slider lands early, he can dictate counts; if not, he’ll fight to keep the ball in the yard against L.A.’s right-handed thump.

Bullpen notes: Los Angeles used a parade in Game 6 and even tapped a would-be Game 7 starter for a three-pitch save; he remains available for a multi-inning bridge. Toronto’s high-leverage trio is rested enough for back-to-back workloads, with matchup lefties protected for Mookie/ Freddie pockets.

How we got to Game 7

Game 6 flipped on a third-inning L.A. rally—a double, an intentional walk, and a pair of run-scoring swings that staked the Dodgers to a 3–0 cushion. Toronto answered with a fourth-inning run, then chaos reigned in the ninth: a controversial ground-rule double stalled the tying run at third, a line-drive double play ended the threat, and the Series marched to a decider. The subplot: Yoshinobu Yamamoto spun six innings of one-run ball to outduel a strong Kevin Gausman start.

Lineup dynamics to watch

• Dodgers’ table setters: When Mookie Betts reaches, the inning lengthens for Shohei Ohtani (as hitter) and Freddie Freeman. L.A. has mixed its order all series; look for contact-first bats near the top to pressure Toronto’s defense.

• Blue Jays’ right-hand core: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. anchors the damage window; protection from Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho is crucial. Toronto has manufactured runs with baserunning and opposite-field hits—expect more two-strike adjustability tonight.

• X-factor youngsters: Toronto’s rookies have swung leverage moments; L.A.’s bench defenders turned Game 6 with glove work. Late-inning substitutions could decide an extra base—or take one away.

Five swing factors that will decide it

1. First-pitch strikes: Both starters thrive when ahead. The team that wins 0–0 and 1–1 counts will own the contact profile.

2. The middle three innings (4–6): That’s where managers will choose between trust and turnover. Overstaying a starter by one batter can flip the night.

3. Running game: Toronto has poked at L.A.’s throwing windows; any stolen 90 feet looms large in a low-scoring script.

4. Defense at the corners: Hard contact to left and third has been a theme. One hot-shot misplay can cascade into a crooked number.

5. Nerves vs. routine: Clean exchanges on double plays and sac-bunt defense—little things expose adrenaline in Game 7.

Managerial chessboard

• L.A. won Game 6 with decisive hooks and creative matchups. Expect quick visits, pre-planned piggybacking, and no hesitation burning pinch-hitters early if a lane opens.

• Toronto has managed to leverage platoons without losing defense. Keeping the bench flexible for the ninth—pinch-runner, contact bat, extra catcher—matters if the game tilts late.

What history says about Game 7s

Winner-take-alls often compress into one big inning and a pile of zeroes. Managers ride their most trusted arms, starters appear in relief, and a defensive gem tends to show up in the final three frames. The first team to three runs has historically held the inside track; add a fourth and the odds soar.

What to watch for early

• Ohtani’s splitter feel in the first two hitters—if it bites, strikeouts follow; if it floats, Toronto will hunt lift.

• Scherzer’s fastball life at the top of the zone—whiffs there unlock everything else.

• Umpire zone shape—high vs. low edges will change which secondary pitches survive the third time through.

The stage

Los Angeles is chasing back-to-back titles for the first time this century; Toronto is nine innings from its first championship since 1993. After six taut, swingy games, the sport offers the purest ending it has: Game 7, all hands, no tomorrow.