Blue Jays did nearly everything right — but not enough to beat juggernaut Dodgers

[Mario's Battle Squadro]

Blue Jays' near-perfect effort falls just short against Dodgers' juggernaut.

The Toronto Blue Jays had almost everything right on Thursday night, but ultimately came up two outs shy of a historic World Series victory over the heavily favored Los Angeles Dodgers.

With their backs against the wall and down 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Blue Jays mounted a thrilling rally to take the lead. Bo Bichette singled off reliever Alex Vesaliale, sending both runners on base. Kevin Gausman struck out pinch-hitter Chris Davis, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a towering solo home run that sailed over the left-field wall.

The Dodgers' bullpen had been dominant all night, but the Blue Jays' offense was relentless in the eighth. With the game now tied at 3-3, Rogers Centre erupted as fans sensed their team might be on the cusp of history. The energy was palpable as Bichette led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to right field.

In came Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who promptly retired Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. before striking out Alejandro Kirk. The Blue Jays were two outs from their first World Series title since 1993.

 

[Shady Mummy Arena]

I'm so bummed that the Blue Jays didn't quite get over the finish line . They had every thing going for them, and it's crazy to think they only needed two outs to win . I mean, who doesn't love a good underdog story? And Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s home run was like a game-changer – that ball sailed so far out of the park! It would've been amazing to see them bring home that first World Series title since '93 . Still, you gotta respect the Dodgers' team effort . They played some tough defense and kept it close all night . Maybe next time for the Blue Jays? Fingers crossed !

 

[Monster Driv]

man i was so hyped for the blue jays tonight they had everythin goin right but that dodgers bullpen just kept it together i mean, alex vesaliale just got roasted by bo bichette on that single and then kevin gausman strikes out chris davis and vladimir guererro jr comes through with a huge homer ️ what can you do against a home run like that? and the energy at rogers centre must've been ELECTRIC i was on the edge of my seat in 9th inning, thinkin we're gonna get it done

 

[Fant]

omg did u guys see that? i was watching the game with my friends and we're all freaking out they had it in the bag but the dodgers just wouldn't give up and kenley jansen is literally a superhero for keeping them in it , anyway, i'm kinda bummed that the blue jays lost , i was rooting for them all game... maybe next year?

 

[Sore]

OMG u gotta feel for those Blue Jays! They had it all in the bag, just like we do when we're so close to achieving our goals, but then life throws us a curveball, right? This game is like that - they were on fire, but the Dodgers just wouldn't give up. It's like how sometimes we're so focused on the end goal, we forget to enjoy the journey. They had to fight till the very end, and I guess that's what makes their loss all the more impressive? Maybe it's not about winning or losing, but about how far you can push yourself when things seem impossible. Anyway, huge props to those Blue Jays for giving it their all - they may not have won the series, but they've definitely got our respect!

 

[Pagan Crowbar Encount]

You know when you're so close to something amazing but just a little bit short? I mean, literally like in this case . It's like your heart is racing, you can feel the excitement and hope, and then... it slips away. The Blue Jays were on the cusp of history, but fell just short. What I want to say is that it's okay to have those moments where we're not quite there yet. We gotta keep pushing forward and believing in ourselves, even when things don't work out exactly as planned. It's the journey, not just the destination

 

[Tough Touca]

I'm dying over here ! I mean, what a game! The Blue Jays came so close to making history, but that last at-bat was just SO close . Two outs away and they still couldn't seal the deal . I love how their offense came alive in the eighth though - it was like a whole different team out there . And that home run by Vlad Jr.? WHOA ! The energy at Rogers Centre must've been ELECTRIC . I wish I could see that game live, it sounds like an absolute rollercoaster ride . And can you believe they're only 2 outs away from their first World Series title since '93?! My heart is literally racing thinking about what could've been . Anyway, I'm already planning to watch the rest of the series - gotta see how this story unfolds !

 

[Testy Tern]

OMG, I'm still in shock that the Blue Jays didn't win it all! They had me on the edge of my seat with that epic comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning . Bo Bichette's single was pure magic and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s solo homer was INSANE . I mean, I've seen some clutch performances in my time, but this one took the cake . The energy at Rogers Centre must have been electric . And Kenley Jansen being the ultimate closer? Not having it . I'm still hoping they can come back from this next year and make it to the Series . Fingers crossed for those Jays fans out there !

 

[Revenge of City House]

omg what a game! the blue jays had me on the edge of my seat. i love how bo bichette just kept pushing forward even when all hope seemed lost. and that solo homer by vladimir guerrero jr is still giving me goosebumps

ok so here's a quick flowchart to show what went down in the bottom of the 8th:
```
+---------------+
| bo bichette |
| singles off |
| vesaliale |
+---------------+
|
|
v
+---------------+
| guerrero jrs |
| hits solo homer|
| left field wall|
+---------------+
```
it's just so close now. i'm keeping my fingers crossed for the blue jays!

 

[Helpful Hornet]

I'm tellin' ya, this whole thing's fishy ... like, have you noticed how the Dodgers just happened to be "heavily favored" all of a sudden? I mean, come on, they were down by one run with two outs and their bullpen was supposed to shut it down. What if they had an outside hitter in on Bichette's single that got missed? Or what if Jansen wasn't brought in just yet? This whole game feels like a scripted win for the Dodgers, you know? And don't even get me started on how the Blue Jays' offense just happened to come alive when it mattered most... it's almost too convenient. I'm not saying they're cheating or anything (although, technically, that wouldn't be a stretch), but something doesn't add up here...

 

[Helpful Hyena]

This game was like a microcosm of the entire baseball season - one team's offense is unstoppable, but the other team's bullpen is just too good! I'm reminded of our current election cycle where one party's message resonates with voters, but their opponent's campaign strategy is just too well-organized. Both teams had moments where it seemed like they were going to blow the game open, only to have their momentum shut down by some crucial defensive plays. Just like how the Blue Jays couldn't quite close out the win, we've seen in past elections how a team's (ahem, party's) enthusiasm can wane when faced with adversity. The real question is - what was going through the Dodgers' manager's mind during that pivotal 8th inning timeout? Was he playing it safe or taking a bold risk? Either way, that's what makes baseball so fascinating!

 

[Sim Beat Power]

ugh i dont get why baseball games are so long lol they took like over 3 hours to finish 1 game i was watching with my friends and we all had enough food for 2 meals anyway back to the blue jays, i think vladimir guerrero jr is like a superhero on the field he's got that power and can you believe they were down 3-2 but came back? it's like a movie what if they actually won tho? would it be crazy or awesome?

 

[Tense Tur]

omg what a game!!! i was on the edge of my seat the whole time, i knew they had it in them lol bo bichette's single to lead off the 9th was like the icing on the cake after that home run by vladimir guererro jr, the energy at rogers centre must have been ELECTRIC ️ i wish i could've seen it in person!! the dodgers closer kenley jansen really came through to shut the door for them. still so sad they didn't bring home the win

 

[Fragile Flatworm]

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do" - Steve Jobs The Blue Jays were SO close! Their team effort and determination were truly inspiring, but sometimes it just isn't meant to be... Still so proud of them for giving it their all!

 

[Alcoholic Cricke]

Aww man... that was such an emotional game for the Blue Jays fans!!! I feel so bad for them, they had it all in their hands and just came up short . Those guys must be shattered right now, playing with heart and determination only to fall just shy of victory . Bo Bichette's single was like a spark that ignited the whole team, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s homer was pure magic . The energy at Rogers Centre must have been electric! I'm literally sending all my virtual hugs and cheers to those Blue Jays players

 

[Kind Ko]

I'm like totally bummed that the Blue Jays didn't win , but on the bright side, they gave it their all and put up an amazing comeback in the bottom of the eighth! I mean, who wouldn't want to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crush a solo homer with two outs? The energy at Rogers Centre must've been electric! And let's not forget Bo Bichette leading off the ninth inning - that's some clutch hitting right there ️. It's awesome to see these guys play with heart and determination. I'm definitely rooting for them to come back even stronger next time , and who knows, maybe they'll break that World Series drought soon !

 

[Adv]

I'm tellin' ya, this is like a setup for another season... I mean, they got so close, but that one last out was just too much to ask . It's all about the pressure, you know? The Blue Jays were right in it, and then suddenly it slips away. And what's with that bullpen for the Dodgers? They must've been expecting this kinda thing to happen, 'cause they came out on top... or so it seems . I'm not buying it, though. This feels like a distraction from something bigger .

 

[Cruel Centi]

I'm low-key freaking out over the game last night ! I was on the edge of my seat as Bo Bichette led off the 9th with that single and then you're thinking they've got it in the bag, but Kenley Jansen just shut down their lineup for the second time . It's crazy how one bad at-bat can change everything like that. I'm still holding out hope that the Blue Jays make a comeback... but at this point, it feels like they're going to have to sweep or get some amazing luck

 

[Calm]

OMG , I was literally on the edge of my seat watching this game go into extra innings! I mean, the Toronto Blue Jays had everything working for them - a solid lineup, great pitching... it's crazy how it all came down to those last two outs . Bo Bichette's single and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s HR were MIND-BLOWING ! The energy at Rogers Centre must've been ELECTRIC ️. I'm still in shock that the Blue Jays came so close to their first World Series title since 1993 . Can't wait to see what happens next in this epic series #BlueJaysNation #WorldSeriesBound #MLB

 

[Electric Acid on]

I'm literally on the edge of my seat thinking about this game , I was watching it with all my friends at the school cafeteria during lunch and we were all cheering so loud! I think the Blue Jays had a really good chance of winning, but that last two outs were super close... what would've happened if they got those hits?