The Los Angeles Dodgers are staring down the barrel of elimination. After dropping Game 5 to the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-1, the defending champions now trail 3–2 in the World Series — one loss away from watching their back-to-back title hopes vanish. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are on the verge of their first championship since 1993, with momentum and home-field advantage firmly on their side.
Dodgers’ Odds Dwindling
Statistically, history is not kind to teams in the Dodgers’ position. Roughly 70% of clubs trailing 3–2 in a best-of-seven series go on to lose. Even if Los Angeles were granted a generous 55% chance to win each remaining game, their odds of taking both would hover around 30%. Drop that to a coin flip, and their chances fall to just 25%.
“I’m not kidding when I say Yoshinobu Yamamoto might have to throw a shutout to force a Game 7,” Dodgers reporter Blake Harris wrote. “Might be the only way. I have zero faith in this offense to do anything.”
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Yamamoto Carries the Dodgers’ Weight
Vote For Your Favorite Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
If there’s a reason for hope, it’s Yamamoto. The right-hander has been electric this postseason, throwing two complete games and maintaining a 2.54 ERA over 95.2 innings from Dodgers starters overall. In contrast, the bullpen has struggled mightily, posting a 4.56 ERA and the second-most meltdowns of any postseason unit.
Yamamoto’s brilliance — command, durability, and poise — makes him the Dodgers’ best shot at survival. As Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci wrote after his Game 2 masterpiece, the performance was a “magnum opus” on par with the greatest World Series outings ever.
Roberts’ Desperation Plan
Manager Dave Roberts is prepared to empty the tank. “If [Shohei Ohtani] can go, if it makes sense, certainly, he would be an option,” Roberts said. Ohtani, who expressed regret about not pitching deeper in Game 4, may join Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow as part of a full-rotation relief plan.
There’s no tomorrow for LA. To extend their season, Yamamoto may need to deliver another gem — and perhaps, Ohtani’s arm will have to finish it. The Dodgers have faced pressure before, but this time, their dynasty dreams depend on perfection.
