Shane Bieber Steals the Spotlight as Blue Jays Even the Series
Back from Tommy John surgery and facing one of baseball’s biggest stars, Shane Bieber delivered a performance that reminded everyone exactly why he once owned a Cy Young Award. On Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher outdueled Shohei Ohtani, leading his team to a crucial 6–2 victory over the Dodgers to even the World Series at two games apiece.
What made it even more remarkable was the journey that brought Bieber to this moment. Just over a year ago, his career was in question after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Fast forward to now, and he’s not only back on the mound — he’s dominating under the brightest lights imaginable. Bieber struck out Ohtani twice and allowed just one run and four hits through five and a third innings, quieting both the Dodgers’ bats and the roaring LA crowd.
Bieber admitted afterward that the night felt “awesome.” And who could blame him? Only a day earlier, he had nearly been called in during that marathon 18-inning Game 3, where Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer sealed a Dodgers win. Max Scherzer had even nudged him to get ready “just in case.” Though Bieber didn’t pitch that night, he confessed he was ready and excited at the thought of possibly earning his first big-league save — and in the World Series, no less.
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Despite the late night and little sleep, Bieber took the ball Tuesday with laser focus. His first test came against Ohtani, who had been unstoppable in Game 3 — reaching base nine times with two homers and two doubles. This time, though, things were different. After a full-count walk early on, Bieber adjusted his command beautifully, striking Ohtani out on a filthy changeup and later freezing him with a knuckle curve that left the superstar shaking his head in disbelief.
It’s been a long climb back for Bieber. Drafted by Cleveland in 2016, he rose to stardom in 2020 when he led the majors with a 1.68 ERA and was unanimously named the AL Cy Young winner. But injuries derailed that momentum until Toronto took a chance on him at the 2025 trade deadline. That gamble has paid off — big time.
Bieber has gone 4–2 since joining the Blue Jays, posting a 3.57 ERA and helping them secure their first AL East crown since 2015. His return has come at a perfect time, especially with injuries thinning Toronto’s rotation. Manager John Schneider praised him after the win, saying, “These are the moments we got him for. He’s been through a lot, but he’s embraced every challenge.”
And as for the crowd at Dodger Stadium, there was a funny moment too — Canadian pop star Justin Bieber was spotted sitting behind the Jays’ dugout. Shane laughed afterward, saying, “As far as I know, we’re not related. But hey, maybe I should start telling people we are.”
For now, Shane Bieber’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and perfect timing — the kind of comeback that baseball fans love. With the series now tied, Toronto heads into Game 5 with renewed confidence and a hero back on the mound where he belongs.
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