Longest World Series games in MLB history: Where Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 3 ranks among Fall Classic marathons

David Suggs

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Longest World Series games in MLB history: Where Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 3 ranks among Fall Classic marathons image

Drama finds a home during the Fall Classic.

MLB history is littered with notable moments in the World Series, from Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956 to Joe Carter's walk-off decider in 1993. Sometimes, the spotlight falls not on a moment itself, but the journey that led up to it -- the marathon matches that lead up to a blissful and merciful conclusion.

In the era of pitch clocks and other rule changes enacted to spur quicker matches, it's easy to forget how long and drawn out baseball can be. But when the Commissioner's Trophy is on the line, the past becomes the present. The turgid contests that can prove to be something of an eyesore during the dog days of the regular season turn into chess matches that even casuals can't ignore.

What are the longest games in World Series history? Here's what you need to know.

MORE: The 13 longest extra-inning games in MLB playoff history

Longest games in World Series history

The longest game in World Series history was between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the 2018 Fall Classic.

The contest unfolded over 18 innings and 440 minutes and the matchup was shaped by its pitching -- a motley crew of hurlers that Boston and Los Angeles enlisted who combined for 34 strikeouts in the affair.

Max Muncy ended things in the bottom of the 18th, sending an errant Nathan Eovaldi fastball over the left field bleachers.

Here's a look at the other lengthiest games to take place during the Fall Classic.

TeamsDateInningsGame LengthResult
Red Sox vs. DodgersOct. 26, 2018187 hours, 20 minutesDodgers win 3-2
Dodgers vs. Blue JaysOct. 27, 2025186 hours, 51 minutesDodgers win 6-5
White Sox vs. AstrosOct. 25, 2005155 hours, 41 minutesWhite Sox win 7-5
Astros vs. DodgersOct. 29, 2017105 hours, 17 minutesAstros win 13-12
Royals vs. MetsOct. 27, 2015145 hours, 9 minutesRoyals win 5-4
Mets vs. YankeesOct. 21, 2000124 hours, 51 minutesYankees win 4-3
Astros vs. PhilliesOct. 28, 2022104 hours, 34 minutesPhillies win 6-5
Cardinals vs. RangersOct. 27, 2011114 hours, 33 minutesCardinals win 10-9
Cubs vs. IndiansNov. 2, 2016104 hours, 28 minutesCubs win 8-7
Astros vs. DodgersOct. 25, 2017114 hours, 19 minutesAstros win 7-6
Red Sox vs. RockiesOct. 27, 200794 hours, 19 minutesRed Sox win 10-5

Longest MLB games ever

The longest MLB game ever by innings, regardless of postseason status, was a 26-inning matchup between the Brooklyn Robins and the Boston Braves in May 1920. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, as it was called due to darkness after just three hours and 50 minutes.

In terms of time, the longest game goes to a May 1984 meeting between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, which lasted eight hours and six minutes over 25 innings.

There have been eight MLB games to last at least 23 innings, although none of them have come in the 21st century. The longest game since 2000 went 22 innings, an April 2008 matchup between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres. 

Here's a full look of the longest MLB games ever by innings:

TeamsDateInningsGame LengthResult
Brooklyn Robins vs. Boston BravesMay 1, 1920263 hours, 50 minutes1-1 tie
Chicago White Sox vs. MilwaukeeBrewersMay 8, 1984258 hours, 6 minutesWhite Sox win 7-6
St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York MetsSept. 11, 1974257 hours, 4 minutesCardinals win 4-3
Houston Astros vs. New York MetsApr. 15, 1968246 hours, 6 minutesAstros win 1-0
Detroit Tigers vs. Philadelphia AthleticsJuly 21, 1945244 hours, 48 minutes1-1 tie
Philadelphia Athletics vs. Boston AmericansSept. 1, 1906244 hours, 40 minutesAthletics win 4-1
San Francisco Giants vs. New York MetsMay 31, 1964237 hours, 23 minutesGiants win 8-6
Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston BeesJune 27, 1939235 hours, 15 minutes2-2 tie

MORE: When was the last time the Blue Jays won the World Series?

Most innings in a World Series game

The most innings ever in a World Series game, and in the entire MLB postseason, is 18. It's happened in a total of five postseason games, including two World Series matchups.

The first 18-inning World Series game came in 2018, when the Dodgers outlasted the Red Sox 3-2 in Game 3 of the series. Max Muncy's walk-off home run in the 18th ended it, although Boston went on to win the series. The matchup lasted over seven hours.

The Dodgers were involved in the second 18-inning World Series game as well — in 2025, Los Angeles and the Blue Jays remained at a stalemate into the 18th. Once again, a Dodgers walk-off home run ended it, this time from first baseman Freddie Freeman. 

Prior to the two 18-inning World Series games, the longest Fall Classic matchup by innings was 14 innings. That has been matched three times: in Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, Game 3 of the 2005 World Series and Game 2 of the 1916 World Series.

MORE WORLD SERIES GAME 3:

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