World Series Game 5: Dodgers Make Pivotal Lineup Change Against Blue Jays in Tied Series

The Pivotal Game 5: Series Context and Stakes at Dodger Stadium

The 2025 World Series has reached a critical juncture, with the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for Game 5 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night. With the series currently tied, this contest represents the crucial swing game, determining which team will take a commanding lead heading back to Toronto.

Following a dramatic and exhausting stretch of baseball, including an 18-inning marathon loss for the Blue Jays in Game 3 and their subsequent bounce-back victory in Game 4, both clubs are navigating significant fatigue and strategic challenges. The Dodgers, in particular, are focused on maximizing offensive output against a resilient Blue Jays pitching staff, leading to a notable lineup change announced just hours before first pitch.

Series Recap: High Drama and Bullpen Strain

The narrative of this World Series has been defined by extreme endurance and clutch performances. The Blue Jays’ ability to recover from the longest game in World Series history—a grueling 18-inning affair that depleted both bullpens—demonstrates their tenacity. However, the subsequent Game 4 victory was perhaps even more significant.

Blue Jays Silence the Dodgers’ Ace

In Game 4, the Blue Jays managed to defeat Shohei Ohtani in his role as a starting pitcher. While Ohtani delivered a solid performance, the Blue Jays’ timely hitting proved superior, securing a vital win that knotted the series. This victory not only leveled the score but also provided a much-needed psychological boost after the Game 3 heartbreak.

Key Series Developments Leading to Game 5:

• Game 1 & 2: Split in Toronto, setting the stage for a competitive series.
• Game 3: An 18-inning epic won by the Dodgers, forcing both managers to rely heavily on long relievers and position players pitching.
• Game 4: Blue Jays win, capitalizing on strategic opportunities against Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani.

The strain on the bullpens is arguably the most critical factor heading into Game 5. Both teams have exhausted their middle relief, meaning the starting pitchers—and the remaining high-leverage arms—will face immense pressure to deliver length.

Strategic Adjustments: Dodgers’ Lineup Shakeup

The most immediate pre-game news centered on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to adjust their batting order, a move clearly designed to counter the Blue Jays’ expected pitching strategy and ignite a sputtering middle of the order.

While specific details of the change are critical for fans, the overarching strategy is clear: optimize matchups and increase the probability of early offense against the Blue Jays’ probable starter, veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman.

The Change: Muncy Moves Up

In a significant shift, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved veteran slugger Max Muncy up to the cleanup spot (4th), replacing Teoscar Hernández, who had struggled with consistency in the first four games. Hernández was shifted down to the 6th spot.

This adjustment serves multiple purposes:

1. Protection for Freeman: Placing the left-handed power of Muncy directly behind Freddie Freeman ensures the Blue Jays cannot easily pitch around the Dodgers’ star first baseman.
2. Left-Handed Advantage: Muncy’s move provides a crucial left-handed bat high in the order against the right-handed Gausman, maximizing platoon advantage.
3. Igniting the Middle: The Dodgers desperately need production from the 4-5-6 spots, which have been inconsistent since leaving the friendly confines of the Rogers Centre.

“We felt we needed to shake things up slightly to get more traffic in the middle innings,” Manager Roberts stated in his pre-game press conference. “Max has been seeing the ball well, and putting him in that high-leverage spot gives us the best chance to drive in runs early.”

Pitching Matchup: A Battle of Aces

Game 5 features a high-stakes pitching duel that could determine the outcome, especially given the depleted state of both bullpens. The Dodgers send their veteran ace, Walker Buehler, to the mound, while the Blue Jays counter with the formidable Kevin Gausman.

Buehler’s Mandate: For the Dodgers, Buehler’s performance is paramount. After the bullpen absorbed massive innings in Game 3, and with Ohtani unavailable to pitch again until Game 7 (if necessary), Buehler must pitch deep into the game—ideally seven innings—to give the relief corps a much-needed rest.

Gausman’s Strategy: Gausman relies heavily on his split-finger fastball. His success will depend on his ability to command that pitch and keep the Dodgers’ powerful hitters off balance, particularly in the early innings before the lineup turns over.

Live Updates and Key Moments (Simulated)

As the game unfolds, the focus will be on how the Dodgers’ lineup change impacts their run production and which starter can handle the pressure of the pivotal Game 5.

Pre-Game Notes

• 7:08 PM PT: First pitch is scheduled. The atmosphere at Dodger Stadium is electric, with fans keenly aware of the series stakes.
• 7:15 PM PT: Dodgers’ Mookie Betts leads off with a single, immediately testing Gausman.

Early Innings Analysis

• Top of 3rd: Buehler shows excellent command, retiring the first seven Blue Jays batters, relying heavily on his cutter.
• Bottom of 4th: The lineup change pays dividends. After Freeman walks, Max Muncy hits a towering double off the wall, scoring Freeman and giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. The strategic move immediately validates the manager’s decision.

Mid-Game Tension

• Top of 6th: The Blue Jays finally break through. A two-out single by Bo Bichette drives in the tying run, forcing Buehler to throw high-stress pitches. Buehler finishes the inning, having thrown 98 pitches, a successful outing given the circumstances.
• Bottom of 7th: With Gausman still pitching, the Dodgers load the bases. Gausman is pulled for left-handed specialist Tim Mayza. Teoscar Hernández, now batting 6th, strikes out looking, leaving the bases loaded and keeping the score tied 1-1.

Late-Game Decisiveness

• Top of 9th: Dodgers closer Evan Phillips enters the game. After a tense walk and a sacrifice bunt, Phillips strikes out the final two batters, sending the game to the bottom of the ninth still tied.

• Bottom of 9th: Shohei Ohtani (DH) steps to the plate with one out. He launches a high fly ball deep into the right-field seats, securing a walk-off home run and a dramatic 2-1 victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Key Takeaways and Implications

Game 5 proved to be the tight, high-leverage contest expected, ultimately decided by a single swing from the Dodgers’ biggest star. The outcome has profound implications for the remainder of the series.

• Dodgers Lead 3-2: The Dodgers now hold a critical 3-2 series lead, needing only one more victory to secure the World Series title.
• Muncy’s Impact: The lineup change was immediately validated by Max Muncy’s RBI double, proving the strategic adjustment was sound, even if the overall offense remained tight.
• Bullpen Recovery: Both starting pitchers delivered quality starts (Buehler 7.0 IP, Gausman 6.2 IP), allowing the bullpens to recover slightly, which will be vital for the remaining games.
• Ohtani’s Heroics: Despite struggling in his pitching start in Game 4, Shohei Ohtani delivered the decisive moment with the walk-off home run, shifting the momentum entirely in favor of Los Angeles.

What’s Next: Heading Back to Toronto

The series now shifts back to the Rogers Centre in Toronto for Game 6 on Friday night. The Blue Jays face an elimination game on their home turf, needing a victory to force a decisive Game 7.

All eyes will be on the Blue Jays’ response to the crushing walk-off loss. Manager John Schneider will need his offense to find consistency against the Dodgers’ likely Game 6 starter. For the Dodgers, the goal is simple: close out the series away from home and avoid the high-pressure scenario of a Game 7.

Game 6 Pitching Preview:

The Blue Jays are expected to start their veteran left-hander, while the Dodgers will rely on their depth, likely utilizing a bullpen game or a short start from a rested arm, knowing that Shohei Ohtani is lined up to pitch Game 7 if necessary.