Teams That Came Back From 3-2 Deficit to Win World Series

In 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers became the 24th team in World Series history to fall 3-2 behind and win the title. Two of the other 23 occasions have been in best-of-nine series. The Dodgers were the first team since 2019 to overturn a 3-2 deficit. 

Despite being among the baseball betting favourites in World Series odds for most of the sport’s history, this was the first time the Dodgers had achieved this feat. Los Angeles had struggled in previous Game 7s, including a heartbreaking loss to the Houston Astros in 2017. 

The Toronto Blue Jays, in their first World Series in 32 years, failed to win Game 6 or 7 at home after taking a commanding 3-2 lead thanks to back-to-back wins at Dodger Stadium. 

Teams That Came Back From a 3-2 World Series Deficit to Win

Dodgers Over Blue Jays, 2025

Toronto’s losses in Games 6 and 7 at Rogers Centre were agonizing. Game 6 ended on a double play after a lineout to left field. 

The Jays led for most of Game 7. They were a couple of inches from winning the title on a force out at home plate, and the Dodgers narrowly avoided a calamitous series-losing error when Andy Pages collided with Kiké Hernandez to somehow record the final out of the ninth inning. 

Miguel Rojas was the Dodgers’ surprising hero with a game-tying home run. Will Smith then took Shane Bieber deep in the top of the 11th to give Los Angeles the lead. 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto capped a historic postseason by getting Alejandro Kirk to ground into a double play for the final two outs with the tying run standing at third base. 

Nationals Over Astros, 2019

The 2019 World Series was the first time in any of the major North American sports leagues that the road team won all seven games. It was the sixth World Series in a row to have been won by teams from separate divisions. 

Cubs Over Cleveland, 2016

The Chicago Cubs became the sixth team to overcome a 3-1 World Series deficit. The series featured the first Game 7 to have a rain delay and was only the fifth World Series Game 7 to go to extra innings.

Cardinals Over Rangers, 2011

The Texas Rangers were one strike away from the title in the ninth and 10th innings of Game 6. St. Louis won Game 6 on a David Freese walk-off home run and won 6-2 in Game 7.

Angels Over Giants, 2002

The San Francisco Giants were eight outs from the title in Game 6, but blew a five-run lead. The series set a then-record for the most home runs in a World Series. 

Diamondbacks Over Yankees, 2001

This is the most recent World Series to end on a walk-off hit – Luis Gonzalez hit a bases-loaded bloop off Mariano Rivera in Game 7.

Twins Over Braves, 1991

Prior to the 1991 season, no team had won the World Series after finishing in last place in the previous season. Both the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves had finished last in their respective divisions in 1990. 

Twins Over Cardinals, 1987

This was the first World Series in which the home team won every game. It was also the first Fall Classic to have games played indoors. 

Mets Over Red Sox, 1986

After losing Games 1 and 2 at Shea Stadium, the New York Mets won four of the next five. Bill Buckner’s error in Game 6 helped to extend the Curse of the Bambino. 

Royals Over Cardinals, 1985

The most recent World Series that didn’t feature the DH in an AL ballpark saw the Kansas City Royals win the title behind gems from Bret Saberhagen in Games 3 and 7. 

Cardinals Over Brewers, 1982

This was the fourth consecutive title won by a National League team, which is the longest NL streak in MLB history. 

Pirates Over Orioles, 1979

Trailing 3-1, the Pittsburgh Pirates conceded only two runs over the final three games to beat the Baltimore Orioles in seven games.

Athletics Over Mets, 1973

This was the second of the Athletics’ three consecutive titles, with Reggie Jackson building his postseason legacy with his first World Series MVP. 

Tigers Over Cardinals, 1968

Mickey Lolich, who was deservedly named World Series MVP, became the first and only pitcher to register three complete-game wins in a Fall Classic. 

Yankees Over Brewers, 1958

This is the most recent World Series to feature the previous two World Series winners. The Yankees became only the second team in MLB history to overturn a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

Yankees Over Dodgers, 1952

Ten Hall of Famers featured in the 1952 World Series, including Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra. 

Cardinals Over Red Sox, 1946

Ted Williams played hurt in his only World Series appearance, hitting only .200 and failing to have an impact as the Cardinals came back from 3-2 down. 

Reds Over Tigers, 1940

Bucky Walters threw two complete games for the Cincinnati Reds and hit a home run in Game 6, leading Cincinnati to its last World Series title for 35 years. 

Cardinals Over Tigers, 1934

Down 3-2 after losing two out of three games at Sportsman’s Park, the Cardinals’ series-winning effort was led by the Dean brothers, who combined for four wins and a 1.39 ERA in the series. 

Cardinals Over Yankees, 1926

The 1926 World Series is the only Fall Classic to end on a caught stealing, with Rogers Hornsby tagging out Babe Ruth at second base.

Pirates Over Senators, 1925

The Pirates became the first team in a best-of-seven series to overcome a 3-1 deficit by winning Games 5, 6, and 7. 

Senators Over Giants, 1924 

The Washington Senators scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to set up an epic Game 7. Washington eventually won on a walk-off in the 12th inning with Walter Johnson getting the win in relief. 

Giants Over Yankees, 1921

Down 2-0 and 3-2 in the series, the Giants won three games in a row to defeat the Yankees in 1921, with Ruth limited due to elbow and knee injuries. 

Americans Over Pirates, 1903

In the first modern World Series, the Boston Americans won the last four games of a best-of-nine series to defeat the Pirates.