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From the first day players report to spring training, there is only one dream: Making it to the World Series. Today, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays will square off with the ultimate goal of capturing a championship. This is a matchup that might be more balanced than many think. While the Dodgers have the better star power, the Jays get contributions from every part of their roster. Who will win? We get to find out the first part of that puzzle tonight.
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World Series Wrapup
Dynasty Or Destiny? Dodgers-Jays Has Plenty At Stake
Unlike all the other major sports, MLB hasn’t had a repeat champion since the turn of the century. The Kansas City Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls before losing in a three-peat bid in February. The Golden State Warriors won in 2017 and 2018, the third of three NBA titles in four years. The NHL’s Florida Panthers have won the last two Stanley Cups and appeared in the last three finals.
But the Los Angeles Dodgers are back after winning the World Series last year and are playing like they are going to be the first team since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000 to win two in a row. Sure, the Dodgers have been to the World Series more often than not in the last decade. This is L.A.’s fifth trip in nine years. But the Dodgers have won just twice, with one of them being the pandemic-shortened 2020 season that many place an asterisk next to for that reason.
So this is a big World Series for the Dodgers. Not only because they have the largest payroll in MLB history, but because another loss will be a stain on what has been a sustained stretch of success. They will be more LeBron James-era Cleveland Cavaliers (going 1-3 in NBA Finals) than the early Tom Brady New England Patriots years (winning three Super Bowls in four years).
The Dodgers seem primed to make it two in a row. They swept the Milwaukee Brewers, MLB’s best regular-season team, in the NL Championship Series, with excellent starting pitching and one superhuman performance by the game’s best player. From Shohei Ohtani to Blake Snell to Freddie Freeman to Mookie Betts, the Dodgers have stars up and down the lineup and the rotation. Now, they have a date with the Toronto Blue Jays, who won a thrilling seven-game AL Championship Series with the Seattle Mariners.
The Jays are a mix of pitching and offense. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having a dynamic postseason. George Springer has a ton of postseason experience and steps up when his team needs him the most, like in Game 7 when he hit the decisive homer. Most people know about Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber, the top two starting pitchers. And now they are learning about the kid, Trey Yesavage, too. Other than that, the Jays are just that team from Canada. Fairly anonymous, especially when compared to the Dodgers. They, too, run a big-time payroll, ranking fifth in MLB.
Toronto is finally back in the World Series, its first since capturing back-to-back championships in 1992 and ’93. After finishing last in the AL East in 2024, 20 games out of first place, the Jays had the best record in the AL in 2025. They have had the harder postseason road, with one of their series going the distance, while the Dodgers have had to play more series (3-2), yet fewer games (11-10). That is because the Dodgers have gone 9-1 in the postseason. But there has been that magical feel around the Jays, who staved off two elimination games to get here. It started in the spring when Guerrero, who seemed headed to free agency following this season, and the Jays couldn’t come to terms on a contract extension and seemingly ended talks. But both sides kept the fire going and a couple weeks into April, Guerrero had a 14-year, $500 million contract that will make him a Blue Jay for life.
L.A. has been called the Death Star Dodgers. While there is some truth in that, more so about the team’s role as the evil villain, the Death Star was taken down by a plucky bunch of Resistance fighters. The Jays, with the hopes of 41 million Canadians and surely scores more outside of Southern California, have the weapons and just need to take their shot.
This is not a David vs. Goliath, nor is it an immovable object vs. irresistible force. It is, as it should be, two really good teams with really good stories ready to write the final chapter to this season.
For a position-by-position breakdown, check out MLB.com or The Athletic.
Projected Lineups
By The Numbers
⚾ Trey Yesavage will make all sorts of history when he throws the first pitch of this year’s World Series, including becoming the first pitcher to start a World Series game in his first seven career appearances.
⚾ The Jays are making their third World Series appearance, having won their first two. Only one franchise won its first three trips to the World Series: the Boston Red Sox, who won their first five.
⚾ The Dodgers’ four starting pitchers have posted a 1.40 ERA this postseason.
⚾ Dodgers relievers threw just 7⅓ innings in this year’s NLCS, just one-third of an inning shy of what Brent Honeywell Jr. threw in the NLCS last year.
Around The World Series
Bichette Back? Looking Likely, But Position Not Set
Bo Bichette continues to make strides in his bid to rejoin the Jays’ roster for the World Series. Bichette, the Jays’ starting shortstop, has been out since Sept. 7 with a strained PCL in his left knee. What role will Bichette have? After taking grounders at second base on Wednesday, manager John Schneider said Bichette could see time at shortstop, second base or designated hitter if activated, which at this point seems likely. Bichette could give the Jays another big bat in the lineup. He slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs this season. Former Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez has been starting at shortstop in Bichette’s place, with either Ernie Clement or Isiah Kiner-Falefa starting at second. The Jays’ lineup is already without right fielder Anthony Santander, who injured his back during the ALCS and was removed from the roster. While it is more likely that Bichette would play short or even second base, Schneider said he would be good with using Bichette at DH and putting George Springer in the outfield.
Yesavage Gets Game 1 For Jays
While the tea leaves had been pointing in this direction since the end of the ALCS, it became official Thursday: Rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage will start Game 1 of the World Series. Yesavage’s story has been incredible this season. The 20th overall selection in the 2024 draft, Yesavage made his pro debut in April at Low Class A Dunedin, then progressed to High Class A, Double-A and Triple-A before getting a September call-up to make his MLB debut. Yesavage made three regular-season starts and impressed enough to be included on the postseason roster. Today’s start will be his fourth of the postseason and seventh of his career. He has been good in two of his three starts this postseason. He pitched 5⅓ hitless innings and set a franchise postseason record by striking out 11 in Game 2 of the ALDS vs. the Yankees. After getting knocked around by the Mariners in Game 2 of the ALCS, allowing five runs in four innings, he bounced back in Game 6, with the Jays facing elimination, by tossing 5⅔ innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven. At 22 years, 88 days, Yesavage will become the second-youngest pitcher to start Game 1 of a World Series, behind Dodgers right-hander Ralph Branca, who was 21 years, 267 days in 1947. The Dodgers previously announced left-hander Blake Snell will start Game 1 with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto going in Game 2.
Vesia Status In Doubt Due To Family Matter
The Dodgers are searching for potential solutions after Los Angeles announced that left-handed reliever Alex Vesia had left the team to be with his wife, Kayla, due to a “family matter.” Kayla Vesia has been pregnant. Vesia has been one of the few trusted relievers out of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Vesia has not been seen around the team this week, including Monday’s workout at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team is exploring its options, which could include putting Vesia on an emergency family leave list in which the player would have to miss a minimum of three days. Rosters must be finalized today by 10 a.m. ET.
Bring Our Hat Back!!!
Schneider as asked a what-if question following the Blue Jays’ pursuit of Shohei Ohtani before the two-way superstar signed with the Dodgers two offeseasons ago. He had a terrific comeback, to which Ohtani then responded.
Umpiring Crew Announced
Mark Wegner was named the crew chief of the seven-member unit that will umpire the World Series. This will be Wegner’s third World Series, as it will be for Alan Porter. Jordan Baker is the only other ump with World Series experience, with four calling their first World Series. One umpire rotates out after each game. To be selected for the World Series, the umpires must have worked the Division Series. Umpires do not work in consecutive series, thus none from this year’s League Championship Series were selected. Only Porter, who was behind the plate for the epic 15-inning AL Division Series Game 5 between the Jays and Mariners, ranked among the top 20 umpires for ball-and-strike accuracy. Porter was third-best at 95.46%. Adrian Johnson, behind the plate for Game 2, ranked 80th of 92 umpires.
World Series umpires(Dan Iassogna and Jeremie Rehak on replay duty)
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnsbaseball.bsky.social) 2025-10-23T18:54:02.985Z
Extra Bases
⚾ The Dodgers will stick to the rotation they used in the NLCS by rolling out right-hander Tyler Glasnow in Game 3 and Ohtani in Game 4.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Getting Ready
Both teams went through their final workouts.
Time To Smile
Like it or not, the Dodgers and Jays had to pose for more photos in advance of the World Series.
What They Play For
Dodgers players did touch it, but they certainly did keep their eyes on the trophy.
Ohtani Faces Rare Heat
Shohei Ohtani was grilled by an unusual source during media availability. Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals had a very important question to ask.
The two fastest pitches Shohei Ohtani has ever thrown were both to Vinnie Pasquantino … two years apart.Naturally, Vinnie had to find out why.
Noteworthy News
Brewers Boost Arnold’s Title
Following the most successful regular season in franchise history, the Brewers have given front-office leader Matt Arnold a better title. Arnold, who had been executive vice president and general manager, was elevated to president of baseball operations and GM. This potentially heads off any other team from trying to poach Arnold from the Brewers to take over their front office. Teams can generally ask to interview someone from an organization for a position with a better job title. Arnold has been a key piece to the Brewers’ front office since coming over in 2015 as the assistant GM to David Stearns. Arnold and Stearns received more prestigious titles in 2020, with Arnold bumping up to GM. Arnold took over the Brewers’ baseball ops when Stearns stepped down after the 2022 season, eventually going to the New York Mets. The Brewers have won three straight NL Central titles under Arnold’s watch, which included elevating Pat Murphy from bench coach to manager when Craig Counsell departed for the Chicago Cubs. The Brewers won 97 games, the most in MLB this season, and beat Counsell’s Cubs in the NL Division Series before falling to the Dodgers in the NLCS. The announcement did not include mention of a contract extension. Arnold and Murphy are believed to be entering the last year of their contracts in 2026.
AL Silver Slugger Candidates Revealed
The top three vote-getters (again, not finalists) for the AL Silver Slugger at each position were announced, a day after the NL candidates were unveiled (check the link for both lists). NL winners will be announced Nov. 6 and the AL on Nov. 7.
Extra Bases
⚾ San Francisco Gaints catcher Patrick Bailey was named the Player of the Year by the Fielding Bible. The Cubs, who had second baseman Nico Hoerner on the team, were named the Team of the Year, the first time the Fielding Bible has given out that honor.
Articles You Should Read
Another World Series win could be dynasty-defining for Dodgers — Bill Plunkett, Orange County Regiser
From rinks to pubs, Blue Jays are uniting Canadians — Josh Hargreaves and Keith McMillan, The Athletic
In World Series first, Dan and Ben Schulman will call Jays’ broadcast — Richard Dietsch, The Athletic
World Series preview: Blue shift — Ginny Searle, Baseball Prospectus
New Giants manager raised as St. Louis sports royalty, but “he’s for real” — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Top 200 starting pitchers for fantasy baseball in 2026 — Nick Pollack, Pitcher List
10 dynasty takeaways from 2025: First base — Theo Tollefson, Pitcher List
10 dynasty takeaways from 2025: Shortstop — Martin Sekulski, Pitcher List
Podcast: In The Pen: Way-too-early mock draft — Rick Graham and Jake Crumpler, Pitcher List
Podcast: Wins Above Fantasy: Mock draft review — Van Burnett and Steve Gesuele, Pitcher List
