East versus West. Blue versus Blue. The stage is set for the climax of America’s pastime. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays will face off in the 2025 World Series. The first game of the seven-game set is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24, at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The first two games will be played in Toronto, three games in Los Angeles and two additional games in Toronto, if necessary. The Blue Jays claim homefield advantage for this series by having a better regular-season record than the Dodgers. The Dodgers went 93-69, while the Blue Jays barely topped them with a 94-68 record. The Blue Jays were seeded number one in the American League this postseason, while the Dodgers were only number three behind the favored Phillies and Brewers. While seeding can effectively depict the success of a team, these teams are relatively evenly matched and will not make it easy for each other to bring home the title.
Given how the Postseason has played out so far, it’s hard not to give Los Angeles the upper hand in the series. Through the National League Wild Card, Division Series and Championship Series, the Dodgers have managed a 9-1 record and swept two out of three of their opponents. The relentless dominance of their starting pitching will be hard to beat. Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani have been causing trouble for opposing hitters, throwing an average of 96.8 MPH on their fastballs. The versatility of pitches amongst each of those starters will give them an advantage on the mound. Hitters like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts will be dangerous at the plate as they have already displayed this postseason. While he is considered one of the greatest of all time, Ohtani will be a bit of a wild card offensively during this series. His career numbers against Blue Jays starting pitching are unfavorable, but we should expect a dominant performance from him on the mound.
While the Dodgers have been an unstoppable force, Toronto has scored the most runs, hit the most homers and has the lowest strikeout rate of any team in this Postseason. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has put up one of the most impressive offensive playoff appearances in history. If the Dodgers pitch him anything hitable, this series will get very interesting. While the Jays’ bullpen is often considered its weakest link, their starting pitchers Trey Yesavage and Kevin Gausman have proved relentless. Additionally, it was George Springer’s three-run knock that got this team to the World Series, so it would be foolish of the Dodgers to discount him as a threat.
In addition, the Blue Jays have been forced to play more games throughout the playoffs. It is undeniable that this can impact the performance capacity of their players. The Dodgers will have a week of rest, while the Jays will have only four days of rest before the showdown. The more extended break will allow the Dodgers’ starters to play deeper into the game.
Alternatively, long breaks can impact the consistency of hitters. These inequalities can lead to one team being favored in the later games of the series, if they materialize.
Regardless of the outcome, making it to the World Series is a monumental achievement for the Blue Jays. More than three decades have passed since the Blue Jays last competed in the World Series. On the other hand, the Dodgers are chasing their second consecutive World Series title and third in the last five years.
Public opinion has been leaning towards Los Angeles, giving them -220 odds to win game one of the series. The Blue Jays will come into the series with +180 odds on game one; they are in the underdog position. It would be shocking if this series is a blowout. Both teams have demonstrated their all-around strength and endurance throughout this grueling postseason. The Dodgers’ pitching will do its best to tame the red-hot hitting of the Blue Jays. No matter the result, the world of baseball is in for an unforgettable clash between two powerhouse teams hungry for the ultimate title.
