The Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to start Miguel Rojas at second base in Game 6 of the 2025 World Series paid dividends as the veteran made a couple of excellent defensive plays to help the team stave off elimination against the Toronto Blue Jays.
With the Dodgers protecting a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, Rojas fielded a high chopper off the bat of Addison Barger with his barehand and fired it to first base for the second out.
It was an important play as Ernie Clement doubled in the next at-bat before Justin Wrobleski struck out Andrés Giménez to end the frame.
Rojas made his biggest impact in the ninth when he picked a short hop throw from Kiké Hernández to double off Barger at second base and secure a huge win for the Dodgers.
“It feels like in these kind of games you always have to do your part,” Rojas said after the game. “It doesn’t matter what you do.
“It can be on the defensive side, it can be on the offensive side, it can be on the bases. You’ve got to play the game and play one pitch at a time. Don’t take any pitches off.
“That’s the reason why we were able to make really big plays when we needed to.”
Rojas’ contributions on defense came in his first start since Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
“I was ready for the opportunity, to be honest with you,” Rojas said. “This is what I’ve been doing for the team the last couple years.
“I wasn’t the everyday shortstop last year, and something happened and I had to step in and play shortstop. Same thing with the opportunities here. I wasn’t playing that much in the year, but always ready.
“For a guy like me, it’s not as hard than for another guy, to ask him to play after three weeks off. I feel like when you’re ready and you know your role, you’re always going to be ready for the opportunity.”
Rojas knew a few days prior that he would start at second base in Game 6 of the World Series and wanted to help the Dodgers any way possible.
“It happened right after the game was over in L.A., so I got a couple days to get ready. I knew I was going to play second base. It was nothing new. You get through these moments in the regular season too, and Doc was pretty open with me. He told me he needed me at second base for today, and I said, ‘I got you and I will do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Kiké Hernández credits Miguel Rojas
Hernández, who began the Dodgers’ game-winning double play by making a running catch in left field, praised Rojas for being able to make a difficult scoop at second base.
“Unbelievable pick by Miggy,” Hernández said. “I didn’t really give him the best of throws, but he was able to stay with it and force Game 7.”
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