The tension was palpable. The Toronto Blue Jays, tantalizingly close to their first championship in three decades, held a 3-2 series lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series. But a shadow loomed – a peculiar phenomenon known as the “Drake Curse.”
With victory within reach, the hip-hop icon Drake, a fervent Blue Jays supporter, couldn’t resist a playful jab at Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. A re-shared image of Ohtani striking out appeared on Drake’s Instagram, accompanied by a taunting caption. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated fandom, but one that sent ripples of anxiety through the baseball world.
The Blue Jays responded with a dominant 6-1 win, fueled by a masterful performance from pitcher Trey Yesavage, who racked up an astonishing 12 strikeouts. Yesavage, still marveling at his improbable journey from the minor leagues to the World Series stage, described the experience as “something out of Hollywood.”
Drake, ever-present and exuberant, had been a visible force throughout the playoffs. From “losing his mind” during a nail-biting ALCS game to celebrating his birthday at Game 1 decked out in a vintage jacket honoring the late Rob Ford, his passion was undeniable. He’d even confidently predicted a Blue Jays surge when they initially trailed in the series.
But with each public display of support, the whispers of the “Drake Curse” grew louder. The curse, born from an unscientific observation, suggested that teams favored by the Grammy-winning artist were prone to heartbreaking losses. Fans remembered Drake’s seemingly innocent post celebrating Ohtani years earlier, a moment many believe foreshadowed the star’s decision to sign with the Dodgers.
The anxiety reached a fever pitch after Drake’s latest Ohtani taunt. Social media exploded with warnings: “Put the house on the Dodgers,” one fan wrote. “If the Blue Jays get cooked, we know why.” The weight of expectation, and the fear of the curse, hung heavy in the air.
Ohtani himself remained aloof from the drama, politely deflecting a question about Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. But for Blue Jays fans, the stakes were impossibly high. Game 6 loomed, a single win separating them from glory – and a potential confirmation of the most bizarre superstition in sports.
The question wasn’t just about baseball anymore. It was about defying a pattern, silencing the doubters, and proving that sometimes, even a superstar’s support can be a blessing, not a curse. The city held its breath, waiting to see if the Blue Jays could rewrite the narrative and finally break free.
