World Series 2025: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays position matchups, how they win, how they lose, series predictions and more

Seven more games maximum for all the marbles.

It’s Shohei Ohtani vs. Vlad Guerrero Jr. It’s USA vs. Canada. It’s the Dodgers going for the first repeat title since 2000 vs. the Blue Jays going for their first ring since 1993.

The World Series begins Friday in Toronto. Let’s break it down.

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How they got hereDodgers:

The Dodgers’ road to the World Series has been relatively smooth this postseason. After rolling past the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card round, the Dodgers faced what ended up being their biggest challenge on the NL side of the bracket in the Philadelphia Phillies. But the Phillies didn’t put up as much of a fight as expected, losing the first two at home before the Dodgers advanced in Game 4 on one of the wildest walk-offs you’ll ever see. With that hurdle cleared, the Dodgers dispatched the Brewers with ease in the NLCS.

The story for the Dodgers this postseason has been the dominance of their starting pitching. The quartet of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani has been incredible in October. And in the NLCS sweep of the Brewers, they took things to another level, allowing just two earned runs over 28 2/3 innings with 35 strikeouts. The Brewers were no match for the reigning World Series champions, who are looking to become the first team in 25 years to go back-to-back. — Dorsey

Blue Jays:

The Jays didn’t play their best in ALCS Game 7, but nobody in Canada cares one bit. George Springer’s swing for the ages made sure of that. That revelrous, ear-splitting seventh inning was a fitting, emotional conclusion to a memorable seven-game set, one that saw Toronto fight back after sleepwalking through Games 1 and 2 at home.

And remember: This club has home-field advantage over the Goliathan Dodgers for a reason. Nobody in the American League finished with more wins than the Jays. Toronto was two games under .500 on May 27 and then went 68-41 the rest of the way. Knocking off the hated Yankees in definitive fashion in the ALDS only bolstered their confidence.

The Jays are good, and they know it. — Mintz

Game 1 between the Dodgers and Blue Jays is Friday in Toronto. (Davis Long/Yahoo Sports)

Position-by-position matchupsCatcher: Will Smith (LAD) vs. Alejandro Kirk (TOR)

When fully healthy, Smith is a top-three catcher in the game. Unfortunately, the three-time All-Star is banged up right now, playing through a hairline fracture in his right hand. He started all four games of the NLCS against Milwaukee and tallied six hits, but they were all singles, a sign that Smith isn’t driving the ball like he usually does because of the hand.

Kirk had a relatively forgettable ALCS, stroking just one homer in the seven-game series, a garbage-time jack in Game 3. But the potato-shaped backstop remains one of the more formidable pieces in Toronto’s lineup. If the Dodgers opt to pitch around Vlad Guerrero Jr. in the three-hole, the cleanup-hitting Kirk will become a crucial character in this World Series. Edge: Kirk

1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD) vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)

Vlad might be the only first baseman in baseball you’d take over Freeman entering a Fall Classic. Freeman is the defending World Series MVP, after all. But Guerrero, whose 1.330 OPS earned him ALCS MVP honors, is the most locked-in hitter on Earth right now. The 26-year-old exudes danger; any mistake, any pitch in the strike zone feels like a guaranteed hard-hit ball. He is a superstar talent operating at full capacity. Edge: Guerrero

2B: Tommy Edman (LAD) vs. Isiah Kiner-Falefa/Bo Bichette (TOR)

It’s been another strong October for Edman, who was L.A.’s primary center fielder last postseason but has been limited to infield duty because of a lingering ankle injury. Toronto’s situation is much more interesting — and much more up in the air. Kiner-Falefa started the final four games of the ALCS after right fielder Anthony Santander went on the IL, pushing third baseman Addison Barger to right and second baseman Ernie Clement to third. IKF had a huge knock two batters before George Springer’s series-winning, three-run bomb, but he’s easily the weakest hitter in Toronto’s lineup.

Enter X-factor Bo Bichette. The two-time All-Star, considered the secondary face of this era of Jays baseball after Guerrero, has been sidelined due to a knee sprain since early September. But in the revelry of Toronto’s Game 7 win, Bichette told reporters he’d be available for the World Series. In what capacity remains to be seen. It’s difficult to envision Bichette, already a poor shortstop, manning the infield’s most crucial position on a bum knee. That’s why, despite the lack of clarity at present, he’s listed here at the keystone. Edge: Edman

Shortstop: Mookie Betts (LAD) vs. Andrés Giménez (TOR)

The typically light-hitting Giménez came up big in the ALCS, with a pair of timely homers in Games 3 and 4 that helped swing the series back toward Toronto. But this one isn’t close, not even after Betts went a horrid 2-for-15 in the NLCS. The Dodgers’ star is a proven playoff performer, one of the best players in the game, and you’d take him over Giménez 100 times out of 100. Edge: Betts

3B: Max Muncy (LAD) vs. Ernie Clement (TOR)

Comparing these two is like comparing apples and tax documents; Muncy and Clement represent two completely different styles of hitters. Muncy is a three-true-outcomes legend, who managed just one hit (a homer) in the NLCS. Clement has become an unlikely leader and October star on this Toronto team, with a postseason-leading .542 batting average. Despite the gap in track record — Muncy is a two-time All-Star with 14 career playoff homers; Clement has a .671 career OPS and is playing in his first October — the blue-eyed Blue Jay gets the nod. Edge: Clement

Left field: Kiké Hernández (LAD) vs. Nathan Lukes/Davis Schneider (TOR)

Lukes and his platoon partner, Schneider (who will likely start whenever southpaw Blake Snell pitches), have been solid this October, even if it’s somewhat odd that Lukes continues to hit directly ahead of Guerrero. But Hernández is perhaps the most bankable pick to overperform in the postseason. Toronto’s lack of a lefty starter might stifle him somewhat, but nobody would be shocked to see the pesky Dodgers cult hero come through in a big spot. Edge: Hernández

Center field: Andy Pages (LAD) vs. Daulton Varsho (TOR)

This is an easy one. Pages is probably the worst hitter in Los Angeles’ star-studded lineup, and he’s also an inferior defender to Varsho, who won a Gold Glove last year. Varsho can hit, too, with an .804 OPS this postseason in line with his .833 regular-season mark. Edge: Varsho

Right field: Teoscar Hernández (LAD) vs. Addison Barger (TOR)

Two dudes who hit the snot out of the baseball but often look disjointed and incapable in the outfield. Barger played more third than right this year but was moved to the grass after Santander went down and hasn’t had any major blunders out there. Hernández, who is raking once again this October, rated as one of the 10 worst outfield defenders in baseball this season. He gets the edge on postseason track record and because the Dodgers’ bevy of left-handed relievers should be able to limit Barger late in games. Edge: Hernández

DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAD) vs. George Springer (TOR)

Look. Is Ohtani a better player than Springer? Of course. But for the next two weeks, this is about as close as it gets. “Clutch” is a difficult concept to prove and nail down, but whatever it is, Springer has it. He also has 23 career postseason home runs, tied for third on the all-time list. Ohtani, meanwhile, just had perhaps the single greatest one-day performance in the history of the sport: a three-homer game accompanied by six scoreless innings on the mound. Both of these guys delivered their teams to the Fall Classic with unforgettable performances in the clinchers, and there’s a legitimate argument to be made for either. Edge: Toss-up

Rotation: Yoshinobu Yamamoto/Blake Snell/Tyler Glasnow/Shohei Ohtani (LAD) vs. Kevin Gausman/Trey Yesavage/Shane Bieber/Max Scherzer (TOR)

This is where Los Angeles has the biggest advantage. L.A.’s staff has been historically dominant this October, surrendering just 10 runs across 10 starts while striking out 81 in 64 1/3 innings of work. Snell tossed a gem in NLCS Game 1, tallying 10 strikeouts and allowing one hit across eight scoreless. The next day, Yamamoto one-upped him, going the distance in the first postseason complete game since 2017.

Toronto’s arms have thrown well, finding a way to keep the Jays in nearly every ballgame. Only Trey Yesavage’s ALCS Game 2 start could be described as a noncompetitive outing. Even 41-year-old Max Scherzer showed up, turning back the clock in a massive Game 4 showing. But against L.A.’s superstar quartet, this isn’t even a debate. Edge: Dodgers by a mile

Bullpen: Roki Sasaki/Blake Treinen/Alex Vesia/Anthony Banda (LAD) vs. Jeff Hoffman/Louis Varland/Seranthony Domínguez/Mason Fluharty (TOR)

Heading into October, the Dodgers’ bullpen was framed as this juggernaut’s Achilles’ heel — for good reason. L.A.’s relievers hobbled into the playoffs and then proceeded to look downright horrendous against the Reds in the wild-card round. But while there were a few shaky moments since then, this bullpen has generally done its job, even if the Dodgers’ starters working deep into games has covered up some warts.

Sasaki in particular has been a game-changer, though the Dodgers remain hesitant to call upon him on consecutive nights. How many times each game skipper Dave Roberts allows his starters to face the top of Toronto’s order will be fascinating to watch. You’d expect Sasaki to face Springer and Guerrero, but whether another late-game showdown goes to the starter, Treinen or somebody like Emmet Sheehan will be key.

So far this month, the Jays have leaned heavily on Varland; the deadline acquisition has thrown in 10 of Toronto’s 11 playoff games. Hoffman has rebounded from a rocky summer stretch to resolidify himself as a no-doubt late-inning option. Fluharty didn’t feature a ton in the ALCS just because the Mariners’ lineup is relatively devoid of dangerous lefties. But the Dodgers, with Ohtani, Freeman and Muncy, are a different story. He’ll be a big deal. On balance, you’d probably take Toronto’s pen, but the big difference in recent workload evens it up. Edge: Toss-up — Mintz

Manager matchupDave Roberts (LAD) vs. John Schneider (TOR)

Songs of experience and songs of innocence. This will be Roberts’ fifth trip to the World Series as a skipper, while Schneider hadn’t won a single postseason game before this year. Earlier in his tenure, the Dodgers’ manager received understandable flack for some questionable decisions. But for the most part, he has ironed things out and become a reliable in-game tactician.

In that regard, Schneider is both greener and less consistent. His ALCS Game 5 decision to have Brendan Little face the top of Seattle’s lineup cost Toronto that game and nearly the series. But he absolutely cooked in navigating the club’s bullpen day Game 4 victory over the Yankees in the ALDS. Most importantly, he has all 26 dudes on the roster pulling in the same direction, ready to run through a wall for him.

All things equal, you’d take Roberts on experience and strategic acumen, but Schneider is a master motivator at the top of his game. — Mintz

Will it be the Dodgers as repeat champs or the Blue Jays with their first title in 32 years? (Bruno Rouby/Yahoo Sports)

How they winDodgers:

For the Dodgers, the recipe starts with strong performances from their starting rotation, just like in the previous three rounds. But this time around will be a different test, as the Blue Jays bring a much deeper lineup than L.A. has seen this October. Still, with Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow and Ohtani, the Dodgers have the advantage in the rotation.

L.A.’s offense has not needed to do much heavy lifting this postseason, given how dominant the pitching has been. But this is the round in which the bats will need to be at their best. Ohtani’s historic performance in Game 4 of the NLCS might have been exactly what he needed to get going. And usually, once Ohtani gets going, the rest of the Dodgers’ offense follows.

The Dodgers’ lineup scoring four or five runs per game would take some of the pressure off the starters to be perfect and leave some room for error for the bullpen. If they can do that, L.A. will be celebrating a second straight World Series title. — Dorsey

Blue Jays:

In their NLCS romp, Dodgers starters threw 73.9% of the club’s innings (28 2/3 of 36). For the Jays to pull off the upset, they’ll need to find a way to shrink that number. That starts with working pitch counts early in games, fouling balls off, battling through long at-bats, getting traffic on the bases and generally making things stressful for the Dodgers’ starters. If Toronto can get Yamamoto, Snell and Co. into the clubhouse early and take advantage of L.A.’s substandard bullpen, this series will be a dogfight.

Obviously, the Jays also need to keep Ohtani quiet, something the Brewers accomplished … until they didn’t. All four of Toronto’s projected starters are right-handed, and it seems unlikely they’d go with an opener against L.A. Keep an eye on how that dynamic impacts the Ohtani game plan. — Mintz

How they loseDodgers:

While the starting pitching has been great for the Dodgers, their bullpen leaves a lot to be desired. If the relievers have to pitch more vs. Toronto than they did in previous rounds, that could be a major cause for concern. The Blue Jays’ offense is not one you can afford to mess around with, and if they get multiple looks at the Dodgers’ relievers, there could be some big innings for Toronto.

Offensively, the real disaster for L.A. would be Ohtani’s historic Game 4 performance being a one-off followed by the three-time MVP falling back into his early postseason struggles. Marry that with an offense that hasn’t really found its footing, and you have the makings of a nightmare situation for the Dodgers. — Dorsey

Blue Jays:

The Dodgers are the more talented ballclub. That’s an unavoidable fact. It doesn’t doom the Jays by any means, but it makes this a daunting challenge. There is almost no margin for error for Toronto. Los Angeles can win a slugfest or a pitchers’ duel. They can out-fundamental you or bludgeon you into submission.

If the Dodgers’ pitching staff continues to surrender an average of one run per game, L.A. will storm to another title. Toronto’s offense can be supremely aggressive, which plays into L.A.’s hands a bit; that’s what happened in ALCS Games 1 and 2. If the Jays can’t keep that in check, this could be a quick one. — Mintz

Series prediction:Blue Jays in 7

This World Series might be much closer than you think at face value. While the Dodgers have plenty of star power on their side, the Blue Jays have star power of their own. And unlike the Milwaukee Brewers, the Blue Jays will be a real challenge for L.A.’s starting pitching, with their ability to hit for both power and contact. Not to mention, Toronto’s $500 million superstar in Guerrero is the hottest hitter on the planet right now. Toronto’s biggest challenge will come in the starting rotation, where the Dodgers have a huge advantage.

This series between two heavyweights will have its momentum swings for both teams and will almost certainly go back to Toronto. The difference in a series like this could be subtle, such as Bo Bichette returning for Toronto or closer Tanner Scott returning for the Dodgers.

Many teams see the Dodgers and get shaken psychologically. But the Blue Jays don’t have the vibe of a team that is easily rattled. Nor are they afraid of the challenge. Home-field advantage will be huge for Toronto and can’t be taken for granted. In the end, it will be the difference. — Dorsey

Blue Jays in 7

I am hesitant, extremely so, to wager against the Dodgers. Doubting this freight train has proven to be an unwise course of action, as their October obliteration of the National League showcased.

But the Jays have the sauce right now.

Also, I think they’ll fight a tougher battle against the Dodgers’ starting pitching than the Reds, Phillies or Brewers were able to muster. Toronto’s lineup against the Dodgers’ pen in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings feels like the key to the entire series, and I think the Jays will do just enough to bring Canada its first World Series since 1993. — Mintz

World Series 2025: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays position matchups, how they win, how they lose, series predictions and more

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