WORLD SERIES 2025: DODGERS VS BLUE JAYS – BATTLE OF DYNASTIES AND CANADA'S NATIONAL HOPE
Friday, October 24, 2025 | 8:00 PM ET | Rogers Centre, Toronto | FOX
Defending Champions vs Canadian Renaissance in Historic First Matchup Between These Franchises
Baseball's holiday of the year is approaching! The 2025 World Series begins Friday at Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers will face the home Toronto Blue Jays, who are returning to the Fall Classic after 32 years. This will be a historic first meeting of these franchises in the MLB finals and promises an exciting clash of tradition with renaissance.
PATH TO THE WORLD SERIES: TWO DIFFERENT STORIES
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: DOMINANT DEFENDERS
The Dodgers come into this series as defending champions with an almost perfect playoff run. Their path has been a display of strength:
Playoff record: 8-1 - The only loss came in the opening game of the NLDS, but since then the Dodgers have gone like a bulldozer through the competition.
In the NLCS they swept the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0 in a series that was much more dominant than the score suggests. The Dodgers controlled the pace of every game, their rotation was impenetrable, and the offense produced when needed.
They're aiming for the first back-to-back title since the Yankees (1998-2000) - This is a task that has eluded many great teams in the modern era. Repeating as champion in MLB with its long season and unpredictable playoff format is extremely difficult.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS: CANADIAN RENAISSANCE
The Blue Jays are writing a fairy tale comeback story after 32 years. Their last World Series appearance was in 1993 when they won their second consecutive title by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies.
The dramatic advancement in a seven-game series against the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS was full of emotions. After losing the first two home games, the Blue Jays looked finished, but then something magical happened.
George Springer's decisive home run in Game 7 will enter Canadian baseball legend. In the bottom of the 9th inning with the score 3-3, Springer sent the ball over the left field wall and Rogers Centre exploded with euphoria that Toronto hadn't experienced in decades.
Playoff record: 8-4 including a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the ALDS - that series alone was satisfaction after years of Yankees dominance over the Blue Jays.
Historic comeback: The Blue Jays managed to turn around the series after losing the first two home games in the ALCS. They are only the fourth team in MLB playoff history to accomplish this - that speaks to their mental toughness and "never give up" mentality.
STAR-STUDDED CAST: BATTLE OF SUPERSTARS
LOS ANGELES DODGERS ARSENAL
SHOHEI OHTANI - The Japanese phenomenon had a dominant NLCS with three home runs in a single Game 4 - a performance that sent shockwaves across the baseball world. His ability to devastate as a hitter and also contribute excellent pitching when needed makes him perhaps the most unique asset in playoff baseball.
MOOKIE BETTS - The former MVP is in excellent form just when the Dodgers need it most. His two-way play - elite defense in right field plus the ability to get on base and score - is invaluable.
FREDDIE FREEMAN - Consistent performance throughout the postseason has made Freeman a stabilizing force in the Dodgers lineup. When younger players might be nervous, Freeman stays cool and produces.
CLAYTON KERSHAW - The veteran and former MVP seeking another ring to seal his Hall of Fame legacy. At his age, every postseason could be his last chance.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS STARS
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. - Absolute postseason star playing the best baseball of his career at the most important time. 6 home runs and a batting average over .400 in the playoffs are MVP-caliber numbers. The son of the famous Vladimir Guerrero Sr. is writing his own legend.
GEORGE SPRINGER - Hero of ALCS Game 7 brings championship pedigree from his time with the Houston Astros. He knows how to win in the World Series and his experience will be invaluable.
BO BICHETTE - Expected return to the lineup for the World Series after missing part of the ALCS due to injury. His bat and energy are critical to Blue Jays success.
MAX SCHERZER - The veteran with magical performances in the ALCS shows that even at an advanced age he can dominate when the stakes are highest. His competitive fire is legendary.
KEY FACTORS OF THE SERIES
DOMINANT DODGERS ROTATION: POSSIBLY THE BEST EVER?
The quartet of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani is just scary good. Their 1.40 ERA in the playoffs is a number you see once in a generation.
This is potentially the best starting rotation in postseason history. Each of these pitchers could be the ace of most teams. Having all four is an unfair advantage.
The bullpen is a question - that's the only crack in the Dodgers' armor. But in the NLCS it was almost unnecessary because the starters went so deep into games. If that continues, the Blue Jays will have a hard time finding windows to attack.
BLUE JAYS OFFENSIVE POWER: CONTACT + POWER
The Blue Jays have a combination of contact hitting and power that can exploit even the best pitching. They're not dependent on home runs - they can manufacture runs in many different ways.
Home field advantage in Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 is massive. Rogers Centre will be an electric atmosphere and the Blue Jays' 54-27 record at home during the regular season shows how comfortable they feel there.
The "never give up" mentality that led to their comeback in the ALCS cannot be underestimated. This team knows how to win close games and how to fight when they're down.
EXPERT PREDICTIONS: DODGERS FAVORED
MLB.com experts gave 36 of 56 votes (64%) to the Dodgers, which reflects respect for their dominant playoff run and starting pitching.
"The Dodgers are an unstoppable juggernaut," said Mark Feinsand, a respected MLB insider. "Their rotation is historically good and when you add Ohtani, Betts, Freeman... it's hard to see how anyone beats them four out of seven times."
But not everyone is so sure. "Toronto has a deep lineup and is excellent at home," argued Matt Meyers. "The possibility of playing potential Games 6 and 7 in Toronto will be decisive." And he's right - if the series goes to Game 7 in Rogers Centre with 50,000+ crazy Canadian fans, all bets are off.
SCHEDULE: READY FOR PRIME TIME
Game 1: Friday, October 24, 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT, Rogers Centre (FOX)
First pitch Friday night before an expected sold-out arena with more than 50,000 fans. Rogers Centre will be the loudest place in North America.
The series then alternates between Toronto (Games 1-2), Los Angeles (Games 3-5), and possibly back to Toronto (Games 6-7) if needed.
DRAMA OFF THE FIELD: THE OHTANI STORYLINE
Here's a juicy subplot: Shohei Ohtani in the 2023 offseason was choosing between the Dodgers and Blue Jays before signing his historic contract with LA.
Blue Jays fans believed they had a chance to land the Japanese superstar. When he signed with the Dodgers, it was heartbreak for Toronto. Now he can break Blue Jays fans' hearts again, this time on the field by helping the Dodgers defeat their team in the World Series.
This adds an extra emotional layer to the series. Every Ohtani at-bat will be watched with a mix of awe and resentment by Canadian fans.
Canadian national pride vs American baseball dynasty - this isn't just about two teams. For Canada, where hockey is king, baseball often takes a backseat. But when the Blue Jays are in the World Series, the entire country unites. This is their moment.
PREDICTION: WHO WINS?
This will be a tight series that will likely go at least six, maybe seven games.
The Dodgers have the edge in starting pitching, which is often the most important factor in playoff baseball. Their 1-4 rotation is the best you'll see.
But the Blue Jays have answers: explosive lineup, home field advantage, momentum from their comeback, and nationwide support. If their bats stay hot, they can overcome even dominant pitching.
Final prediction: Dodgers in 7 games
Expect a classic series that goes the distance. The Dodgers will likely take the series, but the Blue Jays won't allow an easy ride. Game 7 at Rogers Centre would be a dream for neutral fans - imagine the pressure, atmosphere, drama.
Either way, baseball wins. This is the kind of series that reminds people why they love this sport.
Photo: The New York Times
More information:24live.com
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