After the legendary 18-inning marathon in Game 3, many thought the World Series drama had peaked. But Friday night’s Game 6 at Rogers Centre proved otherwise. The first Game 7 in the Fall Classic since 2019 arrived with just as much chaos and controversy. Blue Jays manager John Schneider admitted, “Been here a long time; I haven’t seen a ball get lodged ever.” While Dodger fans celebrate the renewed hope of a repeat championship, Toronto’s supporters erupted in outrage, accusing MLB of favoring the Dodgers in a pivotal ninth-inning play.

Right outside Rogers Centre, TSN captured stunned Blue Jays fans reacting moments after their team’s 6–1 defeat. One comment echoed a growing sentiment: “I think Barger was safe; clear his day. I think America wants the Dodgers to win. They make more money doing that.”

As one of the biggest-market teams in the U.S., the Dodgers generate massive revenue through TV deals, merchandise, and ticket sales—much more than the Canadian-based Blue Jays. The perception among Canadian fans has long been that MLB favors American franchises for financial gain, and this controversial call only fueled the narrative.

Down 3-1 in the ninth with a runner on first and no outs, the Blue Jays still had a chance to tie Game 6. Addison Barger sent a rocket to left-center that smacked off the wall—and then got stuck there. Dodgers outfielders immediately threw up their hands, signaling for a lodged ball, all while Myles Straw and Barger kept flying around the bases, hoping the umpires would let it stand. They didn’t. The call went against the Blue Jays.

“You know, like that should have been two runs scored. It should have been tied. We should have won that game. But it’s, it’s, I just don’t even know what to say. A lodge ball just cost us the World Series,” a passionate Toronto fan told TSN.

For the record, the ball was ruled dead right where it got stuck, and even after a replay review, the call stood. According to the Rogers Centre ground rules, if a fair ball gets lodged in the wall padding, it counts as a ground-rule double. So, instead of two runs scoring, Barger had to stop at second, and Straw was sent back to third.

What can we expect from the Dodgers–Blue Jays do-or-die Game 7?

Friday night felt like another fairy-tale ending was in reach for Toronto before shifting dramatically. The Rogers Centre crowd erupted in unrestrained joy, only to be stunned moments later as the Dodgers regained the edge to force a decisive Game 7.

A pair of chaotic outfield plays quashed the Blue Jays’ ninth-inning rally, and the Dodgers held on for a 3-1 victory, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all showdown.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that ace Max Scherzer will start Game 7 for Toronto. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts kept his pitching plans more guarded but hinted that two-way star Shohei Ohtani will play a significant role. “Could be two innings, but it could be four innings,” Roberts teased with a grin.

Ohtani, who started Game 4, had six solid innings before faltering in the seventh, yielding back-to-back hits that led to two runs. It marked just the second time in the postseason that he gave up multiple runs in one outing. He has only pitched once before on short rest, back in April 2023, making his usage in Game 7 a major storyline.

Roberts added that all other pitchers, including Tyler Glasnow—who threw just three pitches to close Game 6—will be ready for Saturday. The sole exception is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who started Game 6 but won’t be available for Game 7.

With tension at a fever pitch, both clubs brace for a historic finale. Who will emerge victorious and claim the championship ring this Saturday?