2025 World Series Odds: Five things to know about Blue Jays vs. Dodgers

Game 1 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers is set for Friday night in Toronto.

Here’s five things you need to know ahead of the World Series.

Don’t forget to check out our complete list of MLB game odds, MLB futures and MLB specials and props.

Home field advantage

Since the World Series was established over a century ago in 1903, determining home field advantage for Game 1 and Game 7 has been decided a number of different ways. Home field advantage was decided this year by winning percentage.

Because Toronto’s .580 winning percentage beats out L.A. (.574), the World Series will be played at Rogers Centre for Games 1 and 2 as well as Games 6 and 7 if necessary. Games 3, 4 and 5 will be at Dodger Stadium.

Opening pitch for every game of the series is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Jilted suitor

One of the storylines that will undoubtedly be dissected throughout the series is the Blue Jays’ bid to sign then Angels star Shohei Ohtani in 2023.

While it was initially believed Toronto was a finalist to land the free agent at the time, it turns out Ohtani and his agent were essentially using the Blue Jays as leverage to land a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, keeping him in Los Angeles.

It worked out pretty well for the Dodgers, who have now reached the World Series in both years since Ohtani’s arrival.

Pay discrepancy

While the Blue Jays have increasingly spent more on salaries over the last few seasons, it pales in comparison to what L.A. spends. The Dodgers have one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball at $509 million. That comprises $341.5 million in actual money spent on players plus $168 million in luxury tax.

By comparison, Toronto spends nearly half of L.A.’s budget. The Blue Jays have a $252.7 million payroll, with $13.4 million in luxury tax.

World Series pedigree

Both teams have multiple World Series championships. The Dodgers have won the Fall Classic eight times between their time in Brooklyn and Los Angeles and Toronto won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.

Ballpark matchup

The Blue Jays and Dodgers have two of the oldest ballparks in the majors.

Toronto’s Rogers Centre opened as the SkyDome in 1989 and holds roughly 42,000 fans, 10th-most in the league. It’s the sixth-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball.

Dodger Stadium is the largest capacity baseball stadium in the world at 56,000. It’s also the third-oldest stadium in the majors, opening in 1962.

Last 10 World Series winner