The MLB World Series is supposed to be all about baseball, but this year, it was a pop concert that surprisingly stole the spotlight, and not in a good way.

By the fifth inning of Game 2 between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rogers Centre, the tension was immense. Tied at 1-1, fans were on their edge. And then came the MLB annual Stand Up to Cancer tribute. It is one of the most respected and emotional traditions in the game. But while players stepped off the field and fans held placards to honor the ones suffering with the disease, what happened next took everyone by surprise.

Instead of the game resuming, the Jonas Brothers came on stage, guitars in hand, and launched into their 2025 single, “I Can’t Lose.” The crowd reaction was confused at best!

Even Kevin Pillar, the Toronto Blue Jays veteran who was on the Foul Territory podcast, couldn’t help but talk about what he felt.

“Cancer is a thing that affects a lot of people… We had people within our staff who had family members go through it. It just felt out of place to have the concert go on right after an emotional break.”

It’s not that fans or players have anything against the Jonas brothers, though. The trio is Stand Up to Cancer ambassadors and were invited to perform there. They even released a statement before the game.

“As lifelong baseball fans, it’s special to be part of a moment where music and purpose come together.”

But the truth is—timing is everything!

What was meant to be a unifying moment at the WS now feels like a total whiplash. The backlash online was swift, and fans flooded social media questioning the Brothers.

Joe Jonas himself then went on to respond to one post that said, “SPEECHLESS. OVER THE EDGE. JUST BREATHLESS,” with a self-aware jab. “Why these guys?”

But sure, he laughed; however, the awkwardness is there. This tribute has always been about the reflection time, and this year at the World Series, it turned into a headline for all the wrong reasons.

Star power takes the field for MLB World Series Games 3 & 4

After the amazing Pharrell Williams show and the head-scratching and maybe not liked Jonas Brothers show in Toronto in games 1 and 2, the spotlight is on other stars in the next leg.

The action shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 through 5—and the music lineup is just going to be as great as the games.

On October 27, country star Brad Paisley will kick it off at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium with the US national anthem. Fans know that he has a knack for storytelling. While his last album came out a hot minute ago—Love and War in 2017—he has something new coming out soon.

His holiday-themed album drops on November 7 with eight original tracks. Perfect time for the festive season, right?

Sharing the spotlight will be Jessie Reyez. Toronto’s own Grammy-nominated R&B powerhouse, and the one who will sing the Canadian national anthem. She is fresh off releasing her third album, called Paid in Memories, which also features collabs with Lil Wayne and Miguel. Did you know Reyez has also published a poetry collection? Multi-talented!

Then on October 28 at the World Series, there will be a mix of rhythm and soul as Tinashe, who is currently topping the charts with – No Broke Boys– will perform the US Anthem. Toronto’s Deborah Cox, who is newly nominated for a Grammy for the Wiz album, will represent her home country with her vocals.

So, games 3 and 4 will be more than just great plays—they will be a full-on concert.