The Blue Jays Need To Make Their Home-Field Advantage Matter

In the second-longest game in World Series history, the Blue Jays and Dodgers traded blow after blow for over six hours. It felt like a middleweight fighter was up against a heavyweight in an epic bout. It felt like nearly every inning in extras, the Dodgers had the heart of their order due up.

In the two games since the Jays’ bats unleashed an avalanche of runs on the Dodgers in Game 1, the tables have turned in a big way. Game 3 was a test of wills. John Schneider used nearly every tool in his toolbox to try to manufacture a win. It underscored the desperation and intensity of the moment. Only three players (all starting pitchers) didn’t make an appearance in the game.

For the Blue Jays, the loss was more than just a setback. It was a missed opportunity to seize control of the series and leverage an advantage they earned during the regular season: home field.

Despite 15 hits, the Jays couldn’t push across another run after the seventh inning. That was partially due to aggressive baserunning, but that's a necessity when you’re playing a powerhouse like the Dodgers.

They faced the Dodgers’ bullpen six times through the order and still couldn’t break through. Tyler Glasnow was chased early, but the Dodgers’ relievers managed to hold firm.

With that said, so did the Jays’ maligned bullpen. Beyond his leverage arms, Schneider had no choice but to put every arm from the 'pen into the game. It turned out to be one batter too many for Brendon Little, although the biggest blow outside the Freddie Freeman walk-off was Seranthony Domínguez’s middle-middle pitch to Shohei Ohtani that tied the game at 5-5.

The most pressing issue heading into Game 4 is just how bad George Springer’s injury is. He pulled himself from an at-bat late in the game and was sent for an MRI. The veteran has often been the spark that ignites the Jays' offence. Without him in extra innings, the team floundered.

In June, it’s easy to dismiss a single win or loss as inconsequential. In the playoffs, every game is magnified. Yet, in the regular season, the Jays’ 94 wins were just one more than the Dodgers' 93. That one extra win earned them home-field advantage against L.A. That edge is now more critical than ever.

Historically, home-field advantage has been a decisive factor in the World Series. According to MLB.com, since 1995, only nine teams have won the World Series without it. So, the Jays have a golden opportunity. If they can steal just one game in Los Angeles, they'll guarantee themselves at least one more game at home.

Toronto posted a 54–27 home record during the regular season, second-best in MLB, trailing only the Phillies. The Dome has become a fortress, with fans creating an atmosphere that players have repeatedly credited for their success. The stadium literally shakes with energy during playoff games, and the noise is deafening. It’s a tangible advantage, and one the Jays need to make count.

While Exhibition Stadium was never described as a magical environment for baseball, the Rogers Centre has managed to overcome its cavernous, concrete structure to build a setting and a legacy of playoff excitement and memories. It might even be a place that opposing players dread visiting.

The Dodgers were just 41–40 on the road in the regular season. At home, they were formidable, losing only 29 games. That disparity underscores how vital it is for Jays to extend the series.

The Jays visited the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine in early August, dropping the first two games to Clayton Kershaw and Blake Snell before rallying for a dramatic win in the finale. That game featured Mason Fluharty striking out Ohtani with two on in the bottom of the ninth, a moment that felt like a turning point in the season.

That series finale was billed as a showdown between two future Hall of Famers: Kershaw and Max Scherzer. Both pitched well, with Scherzer going six innings and allowing two earned runs.

In Game 3 of the World Series, Scherzer was again solid, but the Jays couldn’t capitalize. Glasnow bent but didn’t break, and even Kershaw made a cameo in extra innings, escaping trouble with help from some slick defense.

Tuesday’s Game 4 is now a must-win for the Blue Jays. Falling behind 3–1 in the series would be a near-impossible mountain to climb, especially against a team as deep and experienced as the Dodgers. However, if the Jays can even the series, they will regain control and set themselves up to return to Toronto and the friendly confines of Rogers Centre.

All season long, and throughout the playoffs, the Jays have shown their resiliency. They’ve also proven they can win at home; they just need to get back there.

Tonight, the team needs to figure out how to get runners on base and put pressure on Dodgers starting pitcher Ohtani. He was masterful in his last starting appearance in the NLCS, both on the mound and in the batter’s box. With 10 strikeouts and three home runs, he was just a little better than he was last night, when he went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two home runs, and five walks. I was half expecting him to start warming up in the 16th inning.

The Jays have their work cut out for them. Hopefully, the short turnaround between Game 3 and Game 4 is a blessing and not a curse.

The 2025 World Series has already delivered unforgettable moments. For the Blue Jays, it’s time to focus on what they can control. They’ve earned the right to play at home. Now they need to earn the chance to finish the series there.

One win in Los Angeles is all it will take to bring the series back to Toronto. And if history is any guide, that could make all the difference.