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Dodgers and Blue Jays discuss what makes Shohei Ohtani a special player

USA TODAY Sports caught up with members of the Dodgers and Blue Jays ahead of the World Series to discuss the unique talents of Shoehi Ohtani .

Sports Pulse

Game 1 of the 2025 World Series is tonight. The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, are looking to win the first back-to-back titles since the 1998-2000 Yankees. The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to break more than a three-decade drought. This is their first appearance in the World Series since winning back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993.

With only four wins separating these teams from eternal glory, managerial decisions are as important as ever, but those decisions start before the first pitch is even thrown. Determining where certain players will play the field and where they will hit in the lineup could have ripple effects that change the outcome of Game 1, and thusly, the entire series.

Here are the lineups for both teams heading into Game 1:

Toronto Blue Jays Game 1 lineupGeorge Springer, DHDavis Schneider, LFVladimir Guerrero Jr., 1BBo Bichette, 2BAlejandro Kirk, CDaulton Varsho, CFErnie Clement, 3BMyles Straw, RFAndres Gimenez, SS

Trey Yesavage will start for the Blue Jays in Game 1.

Los Angeles Dodgers Game 1 lineupShohei Ohtani, DHMookie Betts, SSFreddie Freeman, 1BWill Smith, CTeoscar Hernandez, RFMax Muncy, 3BEnrique Hernandez, LFTommy Edman, 2BAndy Pages, CF

Blake Snell will start for the Dodgers in Game 1.

2025 World Series schedule

* — if necessary

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOXGame 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOXGame 3: Monday, Oct. 27, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET on FOXGame 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET on FOX*Game 5: Wednesday, Blue Jays at Dodgers, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET on FOX*Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOX*Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOX