MLB Fall Classic 2025: World Series Extra Innings Rules for Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, When and What Time Is the Game?

The 2025 MLB Fall Classic between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays begins Friday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET. Baseball fans worldwide are gearing up for this long-awaited World Series showdown, which could feature dramatic late-game moments. As excitement builds, many are wondering what happens if the games go into extra innings under current MLB postseason rules.

This year’s matchup not only pits two powerhouse teams against each other but also revisits one of the most debated rule distinctions between the regular season and playoffs — the extra innings format. Here’s everything fans need to know about how those rules work, when the games start, and how to tune in for every pitch of the 2025 Fall Classic.

Extra Innings Rules for the 2025 World Series Explained

During the MLB regular season, games tied after nine innings start each extra frame with a runner automatically placed on second base. That rule, often referred to as the “ghost runner” or “Manfred Man” rule, was designed to speed up the pace of play and reduce marathon contests.

However, that rule does not apply during the postseason. As confirmed by league officials and reported by outlets including USA Today and the Associated Press, all extra innings in the playoffs — including the World Series — begin with the bases empty. Each team must earn its baserunners the traditional way, returning the game to baseball’s classic endurance format.

If the Dodgers and Blue Jays find themselves tied after nine innings, the contest continues until one team outscores the other by the end of a complete inning. This can result in marathon games that test both pitching depth and stamina — something fans often see as part of the beauty and tradition of postseason baseball.

World Series Schedule: When and What Time Are the Games?

All games of the 2025 World Series will air nationally on FOX, with live streaming available through Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. Every matchup begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Here’s the full schedule for the best-of-seven series:

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 – Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET
• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 – Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET
• Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 – Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET
• Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET
• Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29 – if needed, 8 p.m. ET
• Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31 – if needed, 8 p.m. ET
• Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1 – if needed, 8 p.m. ET

Game 1 will also include a pregame performance by Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire at 7 p.m. ET, adding extra star power before the first pitch. The Dodgers, defending their 2024 championship, face a Blue Jays team hungry for its first title since 1993.

What Makes the MLB Fall Classic 2025 So Special?

This year’s World Series carries historical weight. The Dodgers aim to become the first repeat champions since the late-1990s New York Yankees dynasty, while the Blue Jays’ return to the big stage marks a full-circle moment for Canadian baseball.

With Shohei Ohtani leading the Dodgers and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. powering Toronto’s lineup, every inning promises intensity. Extra innings, if they occur, will only heighten that drama as both clubs rely on clutch pitching and timely hitting under traditional rules.

Whether fans are watching from Los Angeles, Toronto, or around the globe, the MLB Fall Classic 2025 guarantees heart-pounding baseball — from the first pitch to the final out, no matter how many innings it takes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When does the 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays start?

Game 1 of the World Series starts Friday, October 24, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.

Q2: What time do all World Series games begin?

Each scheduled game of the 2025 Fall Classic begins at 8 p.m. ET, with pregame coverage typically starting an hour earlier.

Q3: What are the extra innings rules for the MLB postseason?

Unlike the regular season, postseason extra innings begin with bases empty. There is no automatic runner on second base.

Q4: Where can fans watch the World Series without cable?

Fans can stream through Fubo, DirecTV, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV, all of which offer free trial options.

Q5: When is the final possible World Series game?

If the series reaches seven games, the finale will take place Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.