Cooper Albers previews Monday’s MLB World Series rematch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Six months later, the Blue Jays still haven’t shaken the heartbreak. Their first World Series trip in over three decades ended with the Dodgers celebrating a second straight title on their home field, following an epic Game 7 comeback victory.
Toronto gets a shot at redemption Monday night, opening a three-game World Series rematch with the defending champs at Rogers Centre.
The Dodgers (7–2, 1st NL West) are coming off a three-game sweep of the Nationals in Washington, putting up an impressive 31 runs over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays (4–5, 2nd AL East) have dropped four-straight games against the lowly Rockies and White Sox, but are treating Monday’s matchup with the intensity of a “Game 8.”
Here’s a look at Monday’s lineup cards:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani, DH
Kyle Tucker, RF
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Teoscar Hernandez, LF
Max Muncy, 3B
Andy Pages, CF
Alex Freeland, 2B
Dalton Rushing, C
Hyesong Kim, SS
LHP Justin Wrobleski
Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer, DH
Davis Schneider, LF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
Ernie Clement, 2B
Daulton Varsho, CF
Myles Straw, RF
Tyler Heineman, C
Andres Gimenez, SS
RHP Max Scherzer
First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. ET. Los Angeles enters as a 1.5-run road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Toronto sits as a +119 underdog. The game total is set at O/U nine runs.
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Preview
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have already experienced an early setback this season: shortstop Mookie Betts landed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with an oblique strain. Fortunately, the reigning champion juggernaut has enough offensive firepower to hold down the fort. So far in 2026, LA’s star-studded offense — headlined by Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Freddie Freeman — ranks second leaguewide in wRC+ (139) and leads the majors in home runs (16).
Returning to the site of their Fall Classic triumph, the Dodgers will hand the ball to Justin Wrobleski for his first start of the season. The 25-year-old southpaw posted a 4.32 ERA (3.43 xERA) across 24 appearances (66.2 IP) as a primary reliever in 2025, flashing impressive strikeout and walk numbers but struggling to limit loud contact. Still, he twirled five shutout innings with six strikeouts in four World Series appearances against the Blue Jays.
Wrobleski worked four innings out of the bullpen against the Guardians last Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Behind him, LA’s formidable bullpen — bolstered by new star closer Edwin Diaz — has posted MLB’s eighth-lowest ERA (3.00) and third-lowest WHIP (1.03) across its first 33 innings of work.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto’s revenge tour has gotten off to a slow start. The Blue Jays dropped two of their first three series to the Rockies and White Sox and enter Monday’s contest on a four-game slide. However, it might not be entirely their fault.
The Jays, who led MLB in batting average last season, currently sit in the league’s bottom half with a middling 97 wRC+ — seemingly looking for a spark after Bo Bichette’s departure. However, their borderline allergy to striking out underscores that a turnaround is on the horizon. Toronto currently ranks 19th leaguewide in BABIP (.272) and fourth in xwOBA (.337). Also of note: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer are famous for stepping up when the lights are shining brightest.
Toronto’s pitching staff has also run into some tough breaks with the defense, so far ranking 13th in ERA (3.70) but third in FIP (3.04). Their starting rotation has been especially dominant through its initial 38.1 frames, boasting a 2.58 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, while leading the majors with a 2.29 FIP and 12.91 strikeouts per nine innings.
Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer will look to keep that trend going Monday night. After holding the Dodgers to one run over 4.1 innings in Game 7 of the Fall Classic, the veteran right-hander returned to Toronto on a one-year deal. Scherzer kicked off 2026 with six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts against the Rockies.
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Pick, Best Bet
While the Dodgers celebrated their second consecutive World Series, the Blue Jays were waiting for this moment. So have their fans. In a Fall Classic-like atmosphere, expect Toronto’s bats to finally awaken, while the grizzled veteran Scherzer sets the tone against an up-and-coming reliever. There won’t be a trophy or confetti — but expect the Blue Jays to come out firing in this rematch.
Best Bet: Toronto Blue Jays Moneyline (+109)