Pregame Festivities Set the Stage

As anticipation built for Game 3 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, country music star Brad Paisley took center stage to perform the National Anthem. A dedicated Dodgers fan, this marked Paisley’s fourth time showcasing his talent at Dodger Stadium during a World Series game since 2017.

An Epic 18-Inning Battle

Monday night proved to be unforgettable as the Dodgers clinched a dramatic 6-5 victory in an 18-inning thriller. This matchup not only left fans on the edge of their seats but also established itself as one for the history books. According to MLB.com's Theo DeRosa, this was the fourth consecutive World Series game that Paisley performed at in Los Angeles, which extended into extra innings. His previous gigs featured similar late-game excitement, with Games 2 in 2017 against the Houston Astros, Game 3 in 2018 against the Boston Red Sox, and Game 1 in 2024 against the New York Yankees all going to extra frames.

The echoes of the past were felt strongly when comparing this game to the 2018 matchup against the Red Sox, which also went 18 innings. In memory, Max Muncy’s walk-off home run secured a thrilling 3-2 win for the Dodgers back then. Notably, while Monday's 18-inning game wasn’t the longest in World Series history by innings, it did clock in as the longest by actual time, lasting a whopping six hours and 39 minutes.

Ultimately, it was Freddie Freeman who delivered the decisive blow, launching a walk-off homer to end the marathon contest in the bottom of the 18th inning. Despite the extended games that Paisley’s anthems have been associated with, the Dodgers seem to find themselves on the winning side more often than not, sporting a 3-1 record in those World Series matchups—with their only defeat occurring against the Astros in 2017.

Looking Ahead

As the Dodgers and Blue Jays prepare for Game 4, which kicks off just over 17 hours after the conclusion of Game 3, the absence of Paisley from the pregame show will likely be welcomed by players and fans alike. After such an exhausting battle, both teams will face the daunting task of finding enough energy and pitchers to get through the necessary nine innings without the extra drama.