### Dodgers' World Series Journey Begins with Game 1 Loss to Blue Jays The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a challenging start to the World Series, losing Game 1 to the Toronto Blue Jays with a score of 11-4. Blake Snell, who was the starting pitcher for the Dodgers, struggled, allowing five earned runs over five innings. The bullpen's performance further compounded the issue, yielding six additional runs. In response to this setback, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the starting pitchers for the upcoming Games 2, 3, and 4, indicating a strategic approach to regain momentum in the series. Notably, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to pitch in Game 2, while Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani will follow in Games 3 and 4, respectively. This decision reflects the Dodgers' reliance on their strong pitching rotation, which has been a key factor in their postseason success [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dodgers_dave_roberts_announces_decision_after_world_series_game_1_loss/s1_17615_42958997]. ### Dodgers' Pitching Strategy and Game Overview 1. **Game 1 Recap**: - The Dodgers lost to the Blue Jays, 11-4. - Blake Snell's performance was subpar, giving up five earned runs in five innings. - The bullpen allowed six additional runs, leading to a disappointing outcome. 2. **Upcoming Pitching Plans**: - **Game 2**: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has a strong postseason record (2-1, 1.83 ERA), will start. - **Game 3**: Tyler Glasnow, who previously excelled in the NLDS, will take the mound. - **Game 4**: Shohei Ohtani, noted for his impressive postseason performance, is slated to pitch. 3. **Managerial Decisions**: - Dave Roberts confirmed the rotation strategy, emphasizing the importance of their pitching depth. - The decision to start Glasnow and Ohtani follows their successful outings in the NLDS, where they both delivered standout performances [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/news/dodgers-blake-snell-gets-nod-game-one-start-world-series/92bf97c2cda50c3fb9642cf7, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/los-angeles-dodgers-toronto-blue-jays-world-series-mlb]. ### Performance Metrics and Historical Context - **Blake Snell's Game 1 Stats**: - Innings Pitched: 5 - Earned Runs: 5 - Hits Allowed: 8 - **Upcoming Starters' Postseason Records**: - **Yoshinobu Yamamoto**: 2-1, 1.83 ERA - **Tyler Glasnow**: Last started in Game 3 of the NLDS, allowing 1 run over 5.2 innings. - **Shohei Ohtani**: Pitched 6 shutout innings in Game 4 of the NLDS, striking out 10 batters [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/2025_world_series_dodgers_starting_blake_snell_yoshinobu_yamamoto_in_1st_2_games/s1_17075_42939573, https://www.apnews.com/article/dodgers-world-series-snell-yamamoto-04f96f034359e6df2a7f87bae0be7cf8]. ### Conclusion: Dodgers' Path Forward in the World Series In summary, the Dodgers' Game 1 loss to the Blue Jays highlights the need for a strong rebound in the subsequent games. The strategic decision to start Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Ohtani reflects a calculated approach to leverage their pitching depth. 1. **Immediate Focus**: The Dodgers must regroup and capitalize on their pitching strengths in Game 2. 2. **Long-term Strategy**: The rotation plan aims to maximize their chances of success against a formidable Blue Jays lineup. 3. **Historical Performance**: The Dodgers' reliance on their aces has been a hallmark of their postseason success, and they will need to replicate that to turn the series around [https://www.dailybulletin.com/2025/10/21/dodgers-blake-snell-yoshinobu-yamamoto-will-start-first-2-games-of-world-series].