TORONTO — As champagne sprayed through the air and players doused themselves with beer, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kiké Hernández was at the center of it all, soaking in another trip to the World Series.

The Dodgers had just swept the Milwaukee Brewers in four games to win the National League pennant. They had cruised through the playoff field, going 9-1 to reach the World Series for the second consecutive year. Talk of a dynasty was budding. Hernández was quick to shut that down.

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“As much fun as we’re having right now, we haven’t accomplished anything yet this year,” Hernández said. “The goal is not to play in the World Series. The goal is to win it. And we’ve been talking about it since Day 1 that if we don’t win the World Series, this season is a failure.”

Now, two weeks later, and the reigning World Series champs have found themselves in peril. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has dazzled in his first World Series and has tied Shohei Ohtani with eight homers this postseason. But it’s been a collective effort from the relentless Toronto Blue Jays as they attempt to slay baseball’s behemoth. The Blue Jays’ commanding 6-1 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 on Wednesday puts them on the precipice of their first World Series title in over three decades.

The Fall Classic returns to Rogers Centre on Friday for Game 6. The Blue Jays lead the best-of-seven series 3-2. Here’s what you need to know as the World Series reaches its peak.

Trey Yesavage brought the Blue Jays to within one win of the World Series title. But plenty of drama remains. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

The Blue Jays are one win from glory

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