Major League Baseball: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers in the World Series – X-Factors, Stars to Watch, Predictions
Updated Oct. 21, 2025, 5:24 p.m. ET
You want superstar power in the World Series? You got it. Are we witnessing a dynasty in the making, or a team longing for its first title in 32 years? It’s time to find out. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are set to face off in this year’s Fall Classic, with Game 1 taking place on Friday at the lively Rogers Centre in Toronto. Let’s dive into what to expect with insights from our MLB reporters Rowan Kavner and Deesha Thosar.
What Are You Most Excited About With This Matchup?
Kavner: It’s Kendrick vs. Drake! But truly, it’s Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on baseball’s biggest stage. What better way to showcase the international talent in today’s game than with a unicorn from Japan coming off a spectacular three-homer, ten-strikeout game against a Canadian-Dominican superstar? Guerrero chose to stay in Toronto and is rewarding the city with its first World Series appearance since 1993. Vlad has stepped up this October, and capturing a championship would definitely make every penny of his contract worth it.
This matchup of Dodgers vs. Blue Jays is like ‘Goliath vs. Goliath’. Beyond that, I’m curious to see how a Toronto offense that rarely strikes out handles the Dodgers’ overwhelming rotation. We saw how the Brewers’ offense, which shares those traits, appeared completely outmatched, but this Toronto squad has more power threats. Consider this: The Blue Jays are tied for the MLB lead in home runs this postseason, and even after playing a full extra round compared to the Yankees, Tigers, and Cubs, they still have fewer strikeouts than all those teams.
Thosar: It’s tough to choose just a few things. How will the red-hot Vlad perform against the Dodgers’ impressive rotation? How will Ohtani surpass himself after delivering the best performance we’ve witnessed in baseball history? Will George Springer break his own record for the most home runs in a single World Series—five hits in 2017, also against the Dodgers?
Out of all these intriguing scenarios, I’m most excited to see if Guerrero, with his deep connections to Canada, can be the centerpiece of the Blue Jays’ championship team with a standout performance in the World Series. Guerrero has the chance to lead the club to its first title in 32 years, just six months after signing a staggering 14-year, $500 million extension—one of the biggest moments in Blue Jays franchise history. After hitting an incredible .442 with a 1.440 OPS and six home runs this postseason, how will a focused Guerrero respond?
Aside from the Superstar Names, Who Will Be the X-Factor for Both Teams?
Thosar: Identifying someone who’s not a superstar on the Dodgers is like finding Waldo! I’ll pick Roki Sasaki, as this 23-year-old rookie has evolved into a solid high-leverage reliever, playing a major role in why the defending champions are just four wins away from a second straight title okebet opisyal website. He has successfully recorded the final out in five of Los Angeles’ nine postseason games and boasts a 1.13 ERA (one earned run allowed in eight innings) across seven relief appearances this October. He has eased many of the bullpen concerns the Dodgers faced heading into the playoffs.
As for the Blue Jays, their X-factor is Ernie Clement. He’s the fourth-best hitter among 86 qualified batters this postseason, with a .429 average and a 1. okebet register063 OPS. Remarkable numbers for Toronto’s No. 6 hitter! jili.777 He has driven in 10 runs and amassed seven RBI this October. Clement was phenomenal against the Yankees in the Division Series, continued that strong performance in the ALCS, and there’s no reason to think he’ll slow down against the Dodgers.
Kavner: The potential return of Bo Bichette for the Blue Jays is a huge X-factor. But if he’s too big of a name for this category, I’ll highlight the bullpens for both teams. This was an area of concern for both clubs heading into October, yet they’ve made it this far despite a few nail-biting moments from their relief pitchers. It’s quite remarkable that both teams have postseason bullpen ERAs of 5.52 for the Blue Jays and 4.88 for the Dodgers.
So, my X-factors will be members of those groups. For the Blue Jays, it’s the lefties—Brendon Little, Mason Fluharty, and Eric Lauer—who have combined for an ERA over 10.00 during the playoffs. This can’t continue if the Blue Jays want to advance. With no lefties in the rotation and limited options in the bullpen, manager John Schneider will face tough decisions against Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
For the Dodgers, it’s Sasaki, whose impressive late-season rise has turned him into a key player for a struggling bullpen. Dave Roberts didn’t have a reliable ninth-inning option until Sasaki found his rhythm and became a high-leverage weapon after dealing with health issues early in the season. Can he keep this up in an unfamiliar role?
TRUE OR FALSE: The Layoff Will Affect the Dodgers More Than the Blue Jays.
Kavner: True, but the strength of their rotation should help mitigate any issues the Dodgers’ hitters might have getting back into form. Even with Ohtani’s extraordinary Game 4, the Dodgers averaged fewer than four runs per game in the NLCS. They only scored two runs in Game 1 and three in Game 3, yet still won both times thanks to their starting pitchers—who are 7-1 with a 1 queen 777 slot login.40 ERA this postseason—being nearly unstoppable. If they keep this up, even against a fearsome Toronto offense, it may only take a couple of big hits to secure the win.
Thosar: True…ish. I believe the Dodgers’ offense will struggle to get rolling after a longer layoff. However, that break before the World Series ultimately offers a greater advantage for their pitchers (especially Sasaki). The Dodgers are such a formidable team with a deep lineup filled with experienced stars who can perform in clutch situations, so it may only take one mistake from a Blue Jays pitcher for the Dodgers to capitalize. Conversely, the Blue Jays might face challenges if the layoff affects their offensive production, especially against the Dodgers’ exceptional starting pitchers. Los Angeles is likely to pitch around players like Springer and Guerrero, leaving it to the lower portion of the Jays’ order to make an impact. jili slot philippines
Prediction Time! How Many Games and Who Wins It All?
Thosar: The Dodgers in five. The Blue Jays have had an impressive run, though they weren’t the favorites for the American League pennant. But Ohtani and the Dodgers are a powerhouse.
Kavner: Yes, Dodgers in five. The Blue Jays’ right-handed-heavy pitching staff will struggle against this star-laden L.A. lineup, especially after Ohtani had his breakout game. The only way Toronto wins this series is if they can chase a starter early and capitalize on a vulnerable Dodgers bullpen, but I don’t foresee that happening more than once or twice against this dominant rotation. Now healthy, the Dodgers’ pitchers have been nearly unhittable for months.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers, and Dallas Cowboys. A graduate of LSU, Rowan was born in California, raised in Texas, and returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
Deesha Thosar is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. She previously reported on the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now resides in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.
What are your thoughts on this exciting matchup?