Dodgers and Blue Jays discuss what makes Shohei Ohtani a special player
USA TODAY Sports caught up with members of the Dodgers and Blue Jays ahead of the World Series to discuss the unique talents of Shoehi Ohtani .
Sports Pulse
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided Game 5 of the 2025 World Series has become too big to hold back any longer.
The Dodgers are making changes now that their matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays is deadlocked at two wins apiece after two thrilling games at Dodger Stadium settled nothing between MLB’s best teams. So heading into the Dodgers’ final home game of the year on Wednesday night, the team announced a new-look lineup to face Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage.
Roberts has elected to bench centerfielder Andy Pages in favor of Alex Call, who will play in left field during Game 5. Kiké Hernandez, who had been playing left field for LA, will shift to center. Catcher Will Smith, meanwhile, is set to move up in the order and bat second, while Mookie Betts hits third. Smith had been in the clean up spot for the Dodgers and Betts was hitting second.
“Getting Alex in at the bottom – the at-bat quality, the potential to get on base for Shohei at the top,” Roberts said before Game 5. “As far as Mookie and Will, I felt that created the best chance to win today. In the postseason, you have to get more reactive than the regular season at some point.”
This is the first time during the World Series that the Dodgers have altered their lineup, hoping for a spark after being held to two runs on six hits in a Game 4 loss to the Blue Jays.
Roberts hinted after Game 4 that lineup changes were possible, if not likely, when the subject was broached by a reporter. “I’m going to think long and hard, and it might look a little bit different (in Game 5),” he said.
Pages was 1 for 15 at the plate over four World Series games and had just four hits in 45 postseason at bats this year. Call, 31, appeared in Games 3 and 4 for the Dodgers and has one hit in five at bats during the World Series.
When is Game 5 of the World Series?
Game 5 of the 2025 World Series is set for Wednesday, Oct. 29 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. It will take place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
World Series schedule: TV, streaming for 2025 Fall Classic
Every game of the 2025 World Series will be broadcast nationally on FOX and can be live streamed with Fubo. Here’s a look at the full Fall Classic schedule for the Blue Jays and Dodgers:
Series tied, 2-2; All times Eastern
- Game 1: Blue Jays 11, Dodgers 4
- Game 2: Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 1
- Game 3: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 5 (18)
- Game 4: Blue Jays 6, Dodgers 2
- Game 5: Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 (FOX, Fubo)
- Game 6: Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 (FOX, Fubo)
- Game 7 (if necessary): Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. on Nov. 1 (FOX, Fubo)
Contributing: Gabe Lacques