2025 World Series logo. Source: MLB.com.
The 2025 Major League Baseball season is winding down, but the action is heating up. Now, just two teams remain: the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are set to face off in the 2025 World Series, which starts Friday, October 24th, in Toronto.
The Dodgers had a relatively easy path to the World Series and have lost only one game in the postseason. They went 2-0, winning the wild card against the Cincinnati Reds 3-1, knocking out the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, and then sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers, who had the best regular-season record, in the NLCS. Most teams would celebrate even making it to the World Series, but after the game four win against the Brewers, critics noticed a distinct lack of celebration. For the Dodgers, merely getting to the World Series isn’t enough; they have to win.
For the Blue Jays, the road to the World Series was much bumpier. They had a bye in the wild card before playing the Yankees in the ALDS. The Jays won the series 3-1. Then, they had the tough draw of playing the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. Lucky for the Blue Jays, the Mariners went to game 5 in the ALDS and won in the 15th inning, meaning virtually all their pitchers got used, leaving very few options for game 1 of the ALCS. Against the odds, the Mariners won both games in Toronto and took a 2-0 series lead heading back home to Seattle. The Jays responded by winning games 3 and 4 in Seattle, tying up the series 2-2. Seattle would win game 5, making game 6 in Toronto a win-or-go-home game for the Jays. They would win and force the words every sports fan dreams of: game 7—a winner-takes-all instant classic.
George Springer celebrates as he rounds the bases after his go-ahead 3-run homer. Photo by CNN.
Both teams scored 1 in the first inning. By the 5th, the Mariners took a 3-1 lead. The Blue Jays had men in scoring position almost every inning but failed to cash in with the big hit. Then, in the bottom of the 7th, the Blue Jays would find their big hit when George Springer hit a 3-run bomb to give the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead. From there, the Blue Jays’ pitching did the rest and shut down the Mariners, sending the Blue Jays to their first World Series in 32 years.
The World Series is a best-of-7 series with the first two games in Toronto, followed by 3 in LA, and 2 in Toronto if needed. It is expected to be one of, if not the most, viewed World Series in history, with the entire country of Canada poised to tune in.
The Blue Jays celebrate after securing their first trip to the World Series in 32 years. Photo by MLB.com.
On paper, the Dodgers have the advantage with multiple MVPs in their lineup, the second-highest payroll in baseball, and a team loaded with postseason experience, not to mention they are the defending World Series champions. They have the best pitching staff in baseball. One of their pitchers is also their best hitter. In Game 4 of the NLCS, Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 batters as the starter while hitting three home runs. Many are calling this one of the single greatest sporting moments and achievements of all time.
The Blue Jays are coming in hot, and they have the “homefield advantage.” Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having one of the best postseasons ever, batting .442 with a 1.440 OPS. George Springer has hit clutch home runs every time his team needed him to. Additionally, offensive reinforcements are on the way as Bo Bichette has announced he will be back from injury for the World Series. During the regular season, the star shortstop batted .311.
Shohei Ohtani rounding the bases on one of his three home runs in Game 4 of the NLCS. Photo by Bleacher Report.
The Dodgers are the favorites to win, but that’s not to say the Blue Jays don’t have a shot. Game 1 in Toronto is essential to the Jays. If they can win game one or game 2, they have a chance. They can’t lose both games at home as momentum is key. The Blue Jays also cannot give free outs to the Dodgers. Their defense has to be on point because if you provide the Dodgers with a chance, they will pounce on it. The Blue Jays also have to be aggressive and try to knock out the Dodgers’ starters early. When the series heads west to LA, the Blue Jays need to find a way to win at least one game and two if they want to have a real shot at the championship. If the series makes it back to Toronto, the Dodgers may be in trouble. The Blue Jays will have the momentum and home-field advantage, and, for the first time, the Dodgers will be under threat of elimination. They won’t be able to cruise like normal, and if they tighten up, we may see the Blue Jays take the win.
Now for my predictions. I’m going with the Blue Jays in 7, in what I hope to be one of the best matchups of all time. For individual games, here are my predictions: game-1 Jays, game-2 Dodgers, game-3 Dodgers, game-4 Jays, game-5 5-Dodgers, game-6 Jays, and game-7 Jays.
