Daisuke Matsuzaka (45, retired), who was the top star in Japanese baseball, cited the Los Angeles Dodgers’ anxiety factor ahead of Game 3 of the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series in the 2025 season.

Matsuzaka, a baseball critic at Japan’s “Sponichi Annex,” appeared on TV Asahi’s press station on October 27 and predicted Game 3 of the World Series between the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at the Dodgers’ home on the 28th.

The Dodgers recorded one win and one loss in the first and second World Series games in Toronto, Canada.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was the biggest star in Japanese baseball. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1 사진 확대 Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was the biggest star in Japanese baseball. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1 Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was the biggest star in Japanese baseball. It was when he was with the Boston Red Sox. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1 사진 확대 Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was the biggest star in Japanese baseball. It was when he was with the Boston Red Sox. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1 Matsuzaka during his time with the New York Mets. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1 사진 확대 Matsuzaka during his time with the New York Mets. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1

Matsuzaka stressed, “The Dodgers should be most wary of Toronto’s No. 1 hitter George Springer and No. 3 hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr.”

“Both of them are at their peak in hitting. In particular, he made several good pitches in Game 2 of the World Series. Not only were the hits, but the balls that were out were also strong. The batting balance looked the best in Toronto. The Dodgers have to control them,” he said.

Springer went 2 for 5 in the first game of the World Series and 1 for 3 in the second game.

Guerrero Jr. went 2 for 4 in the first game of the World Series, scored one point and walked one, and went 1 for 4 in the second game.

Snell expressed confidence that he could rebound with regret over the game. Photo = The Canadian Press via AP= Yonhap News 사진 확대 Snell expressed confidence that he could rebound with regret over the game. Photo = The Canadian Press via AP= Yonhap News

Matsuzaka cited the absence of pitching staff as a factor of anxiety for the Dodgers.

“The Dodgers have won all four games against the Milwaukee Blueers in the National League Championship Series,” Matsuzaka said. “Since they have won four consecutive games and confirmed their advance to the World Series, the pitchers may not have a sense of losing points.”

Most MLB pitchers don’t prefer long breaks. If you look closely at Blake Snell’s pitch, which started Game 1 of the World Series, the long absence seemed to have affected the ball. It means that it is not easy to take care of your body even if you are a veteran,” he said.

Snell took the mound for the first time in 10 days and did not last six innings.

Snell allowed five runs, three walks, and four strikeouts in five innings. Snell was a losing pitcher in Game 1 of the World Series.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was the biggest star in Japanese baseball. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1 사진 확대 Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was the biggest star in Japanese baseball. 사진=AFPBBNews=News1

The Dodgers’ starter in Game 3 is Tyler Glasnow. It was his first appearance since Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against Milwaukee on Oct. 17. It’s been 11 days.

Matsuzaka said, “I was also the type to lose balance when I rested too much,” and predicted, “As it’s been a long time since Glasnow has played, early control will be the key.”

[Lee Geunseung, MK Sports Reporter]