World Series Game 4 takeaways: Blue Jays' big inning evens series, Shane Bieber outduels Shohei Ohtani

After a dramatic 18-inning Game 3 marathon that lasted into Tuesday morning, Game 4 of the 2025 World Series had its own share of drama ... at least for the first six innings of the game.

The Toronto Blue Jays came alive in the seventh inning, plating four runs to break open a 2-1 game on their way to a 6-2 decision over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Toronto's win tied the World Series at 2-2 and ensured the Fall Classic would shift back to Canada for Game 6 on Halloween night.

Did Toronto Blue Jays steal Game 4?

On paper, the Dodgers had plenty of advantages heading into Tuesday. Toronto leadoff hitter (and Dodger killer) George Springer was not in the lineup after experiencing "right side discomfort" in Game 3 and undergoing an MRI. Additionally, starting pitcher Shane Bieber had logged fewer than 4.0 innings in two of his three postseason starts, an ominous sign after Tuesday's bullpen-filled game.

However, neither of those potentially negative possibilities impacted the Blue Jays on Tuesday, with Bieber outdueling Shohei Ohtani on the mound and Toronto finding enough offense without Springer in the lineup.

Throw into the equation that the Dodgers had the momentum after grabbing a 2-1 lead in Tuesday's instant classic and things seemed to be stacked against Toronto on paper. However, as they've shown all postseason, when their backs are against the wall, the Blue Jays find a way to rally.

Both starting pitchers saved their bullpens

Ohtani and Bieber should both be recognized for doing the one thing they absolutely had to do on Tuesday night — go deep into the game to help make sure their taxed bullpens wouldn't have to jump back into the action too early.

After bullpens took up so much of Game 3's 18-inning game, Ohtani and Bieber not only ate up the early innings, but they also did their jobs efficiently and effectively.

Bieber threw 81 pitches over 5.1 innings and struck out Ohtani in both of the at-bats where they faced off. Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the MLB trade deadline, Bieber showed why the Blue Jays wanted him, giving up just four hits and one run while working his way around the three walks he issued as well.

Ohtani went 6.0 innings, giving up six hits, including back-to-back knocks from Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement that led off the seventh and chased him from the mound. Both would eventually score in what was a pivotal frame for Toronto as four runs generated against Dodgers relievers would expand the lead to 6-1.

Chris Bassitt continues solid bullpen run

Speaking of bullpens, Toronto's Chris Bassitt has made the transition from starter to reliever look effortless this postseason.

After starting all but one of his 153 regular-season appearances over the past five seasons, Bassitt has settled into the bullpen for Toronto this postseason and has become a weapon. In five combined appearances in the ALCS and World Series, Bassitt has thrown 6.2 scoreless innings (including 2.0 innings on Tuesday), striking out eight in that span while allowing just one hit (an eighth-inning single by Mookie Betts in Game 4).