TORONTO — The Los Angeles Dodgers had an impressive track record with Blake Snell on the mound, often leading to victory, but that trend received a jarring reality check in Game 1 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays, known for their resilience and high-octane offense, turned a 2-0 deficit into a commanding 11-4 win on Friday night.
After falling behind early, the Blue Jays made a crucial comeback in the fourth inning, thanks to Daulton Varsho’s two-run homer that tied the game. This was just the beginning, as Toronto’s offense surged in the sixth inning, scoring nine runs. The highlight of this onslaught was Addison Barger’s pinch-hit grand slam, making history as the first of its kind in World Series play. Shohei Ohtani also contributed with a two-run homer later in the game, but it was overshadowed by the Blue Jays’ offensive eruption.
Varsho’s power surge is no surprise to those familiar with his performance this season. Despite a slow start due to shoulder surgery that limited his time on the field, Varsho found his stride and smashed 20 home runs in just 71 games during the regular season. He demonstrated an impressive ability to generate significant power, ranking among the upper echelons of MLB sluggers in key metrics such as barrel rate and average exit velocity.
However, much of Varsho’s production came from hitting against right-handed pitchers, which made his success against Snell—a two-time Cy Young award winner—all the more remarkable. Snell had been virtually untouchable leading up to the Series, with an impressive streak of innings without allowing a home run. Yet Varsho’s approach showed a marked improvement, indicating his growth as a player.
Stepping to the plate with Alejandro Kirk on base, Varsho seized a fastball from Snell and crushed it, energizing both the crowd and his teammates. Postgame, Varsho reflected on his journey, expressing how important it has been for him to adapt his game, especially after struggling against left-handed pitching at times.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Varsho’s tenacity, emphasizing the need for players to adapt and perform under pressure. Varsho’s resurgence this season is a testament to his determination and the support he has received from the Blue Jays’ coaching staff, who have helped him refine his hitting approach for optimum results.
Given Varsho’s significant improvement at the plate, the Blue Jays appear poised to continue their deep playoff run, with a need for collective contributions from their lineup to challenge the defending champions. As the series progresses, Toronto prepares to face Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, looking to maintain their momentum and leverage their offensive strength.