Freeman's Heroics Propel Dodgers to World Series Advantage

An intense Game 3 of the 2025 World Series witnessed the Los Angeles Dodgers grab a 2-1 series lead after clinching a nail-biting 18-inning face-off, ending 6-5 with Freddie Freeman's decisive home run.

Leading the charge for the Dodgers was Shohei Ohtani, who set a postseason milestone by reaching base in all nine of his at-bats. His performance included two home runs, two doubles, and four intentional walks, amassing three RBIs. Ohtani's contributions have been instrumental this October.

Historic Battle

Mirroring a past epic from 2018, this marathon game equaled the record for the longest World Series game at 18 innings. In a captivating blend of déjà vu and new triumphs, Freeman's deep center-field blast mirrored Max Muncy's memorable game-winner against Boston in a previous series.

Detailed Game Events

Early action saw Max Scherzer of Toronto concede a homer to Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández. Ohtani capitalized on this momentum in the third, extending the Dodgers’ lead with another solo homer.

A mixed inning saw Freeman walk and steal second, only for the Blue Jays' defenses to shine, cutting him down at home plate after a single by Will Smith. Toronto quickly leveled and then surged ahead when Alejandro Kirk punished a Tyler Glasnow pitch for a three-run homer, complemented by more Toronto scoring to lead 4-2.

Yet, the relentless Dodgers and Ohtani continued their attack, with Ohtani's double trimming the lead and Freeman knotting it up with a hit. Lively defense continued from both sides with Guerrero Jr. showcasing his fielding prowess to halt further threats.

The seesaw battle persisted as Bo Bichette’s strategic play moved Toronto back ahead, only for Ohtani's powerful 406-foot homer to quickly neutralize it.

Extra-Inning Drama

The tense deadlock carried into extra innings, marked by critical defensive plays and a relentless weave of pitching changes. Clutch moments included Clayton Kershaw emerging from the bullpen to subdue a loaded base threat, and both teams staving off numerous scoring attempts across several innings.

Exemplary relief work from Will Klein kept the game locked until Freeman's decisive swing in the 18th finally sealed the contest, echoing past heroics that have come to define dramatic Dodgers moments.

Up Next

The Dodgers pivot to the upcoming Game 4 with Shohei Ohtani expected to start, presenting another intriguing showdown with Toronto's ace on the other side.

Moments and Highlights

Tyler Glasnow and Max Scherzer both fought hard on the mound, as the game featured substantial pitching volumes with nearly 20 used from both squads. The strategic depth and resilience were evident as runs and opportunities came at premium prices in the elongated battle.

Freeman's postseason RBI tally gained another notch in this resilient showcase, while honorary pre-game proceedings crowned Mookie Betts with the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, affirming his commendable character and influence both on and off the field.