2025 World Series Odds: Keys to victory for Blue Jays, Dodgers
For the first time in 32 years, the Toronto Blue Jays have punched their ticket to the World Series.
It won’t be an easy path in the Fall Classic, however, as Toronto will face the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Here’s the path to victory for both the Blue Jays and Dodgers.
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Blue Jays vs. Dodgers
There’s not a lot of history between these clubs, with L.A. holding a 19-11 edge all-time in regular season action.
Toronto won the first-ever head-to-head with Roy Halladay pitching a complete game on June 18, 2002. Ironically, Chris Woodward hit first for the Blue Jays in that game and he is now the Dodgers first-base coach.
The teams played a three-game set in L.A. in early August this year, with the Dodgers claiming two wins. Toronto won the last meeting 5-4 thanks to three home runs over the last two innings.
Toronto Blue Jays
Despite holding home field advantage, the Blue Jays enter the World Series as +180 underdogs.
Contributors
Toronto should feel good, however, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has arguably been the best player in all of baseball during the postseason. Guerrero is fully justifying the $500 million contract he signed this year, slashing a ridiculous .442/.510/.930 with just three strikeouts in the month of October. His six home runs in the playoffs ties a franchise record and he’s been doing all of this while playing great defence at first base.
Another key contributor wasn’t even playing Single-A baseball to start the year. Rookie starting pitcher Trey Yesavage pitched 5 1/3 hitless innings with 11 strikeouts in his playoff debut in the ALDS against the Yankees and he had three significant double plays to beat the Mariners in Game 6 of the ALCS.
Will it continue?
The Dodgers starting pitching has been dominant and they could elect to pitch around Guerrero.
However, this playoff run has proven Guerrero still finds ways to produce against elite pitching. The key will be for hitters behind Guerrero (Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement) to make L.A. pay if they pitch around the star slugger.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers enter the World Series as comfortable -220 favourites to repeat.
Contributors
Los Angeles’ four starters in the playoffs have absolutely dominated through 10 games. Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani have posted a combined 1.40 ERA over 64 1/3 innings of playoff ball while allowing just two home runs and striking out four times as many batters as they’ve walked.
Everyone knows how dangerous this offence is with Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, so let’s dig deeper into pitching. Roki Sasaki has quietly become an important part of this team as a strong reliever. Just how important is he? Sasaki has recorded the final out in five of L.A.’s nine wins this postseason.
Will it continue?
The Dodgers have a long trip for Game 1, but they’re also on a six-day layoff after sweeping the Brewers in the NLCS so they can roll out their top pitchers to begin the series.
Ohtani is key for L.A. He had a historic Game 4 in the NLCS, pitching six scoreless innings and hitting three home runs, but he’s been hit-or-miss all postseason and long layoffs generally aren’t good for hitters. Ohtani has also historically struggled against Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer, collectively going 6-for-31 with 14 strikeouts and no walks agains the Blue Jays’ starters.
2025 World Series schedule
The Blue Jays have punched their ticket to the World Series for the first time since they won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.
Here’s the 2025 World Series schedule:
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET /
*Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET
*if necessary
