The 2025 World Series is set to be an epic clash between two powerhouses: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. After a thrilling postseason, baseball fans are eager to know: when does the World Series start? This article dives into expert predictions, analyzing each team’s strengths and weaknesses to determine who will be crowned champion. From pitching matchups to offensive firepower, we break down the key factors that will decide the series.
The Dodgers, who have been dominant throughout the playoffs, face a resilient Blue Jays team that fought their way through a challenging American League Championship Series. Our experts weigh in on whether the Dodgers’ star-studded roster and strong pitching rotation will prevail, or if the Blue Jays’ dynamic offense and home-field advantage will lead them to victory. Get ready for an in-depth look at the 2025 Fall Classic!
Expert Predictions: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
According to a survey by The Athletic, a significant majority of their MLB staff predict the Los Angeles Dodgers will win the 2025 World Series. Eighty percent of the staff favored the Dodgers, while only 20 percent picked the Toronto Blue Jays. This reflects the Dodgers’ dominant performance throughout the postseason, where they cruised to a 9-1 record.
Jayson Stark of The Athletic admitted to previously picking against the Dodgers but stated, ‘They’re a team on a mission with a rotation on a mission. Dodgers in 6.’ Jen McCaffrey, on the other hand, believes the Blue Jays have an intangible quality that could make the series interesting, coupled with a dangerous offense and solid veteran pitching.
Jayson Stark (LA): I picked the Phillies to beat them. Then I picked the Brewers to beat them. I think the Blue Jays are a tough match-up for them, but I’m done picking against the Dodgers. They’re a team on a mission with a rotation on a mission. Dodgers in 6.
Analyzing Team Strengths
The Dodgers’ strength lies in their exceptional pitching rotation and powerful offense led by stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Their ability to maintain a strong pitching clinic throughout the NLCS has been a significant advantage. Roki Sasaki’s emergence as a de facto closer has also addressed bullpen concerns, giving them an added edge.
Conversely, the Blue Jays boast a dangerous offense and a solid defense. Their hitters are known for making contact and doing damage, which could counteract the Dodgers’ pitching advantage. Steve Berman noted that the Blue Jays’ home-field advantage and the support of an entire country could be enough to stop the Dodgers’ early onslaught.
Steve Berman (TOR): If the Dodgers jump out to an early 2-0 series lead, it’s curtains. But the Blue Jays’ home-field advantage might be enough to stop the Dodgers’ early onslaught. An entire country will be behind the Blue Jays, who can hold their own offensively and defend better than the Dodgers. They’ll have to crack the code on L.A.’s starting pitching, though.
Key Matchups to Watch
One of the critical matchups will be how the Blue Jays’ hitters perform against the Dodgers’ dominant starting pitching. Tyler Kepner suggests that the Blue Jays can’t be beaten by trying to strike them out; they need to make contact and do damage. Additionally, the Dodgers’ offense, led by Shohei Ohtani, will test the Blue Jays’ pitching depth and defensive capabilities.
Another key aspect will be the Blue Jays’ ability to exploit any weaknesses in the Dodgers’ bullpen. While the Dodgers have addressed some concerns by using Roki Sasaki as a closer, the Blue Jays’ bottom of the order will need to create opportunities for the top of their lineup to score against Dodgers starters, according to Johnny Flores Jr.
Tyler Kepner (TOR): You can’t beat the Blue Jays by trying to strike them out. These hitters make contact and do damage with it. That will counteract the clear pitching edge the Dodgers had in the NL playoffs.
Historical Context and Analogies
Andrew Baggarly draws an analogy to the 2012 World Series, where the San Francisco Giants, as heavy underdogs, contained Miguel Cabrera and swept the Detroit Tigers. He suggests the Blue Jays could follow a similar template against Shohei Ohtani. Melissa Lockard also references the 1988 World Series, where the Oakland A’s were upset by the Dodgers, highlighting that on-paper mismatches don’t always dictate the outcome.
Levi Weaver uses an analogy of an Etsy seller versus Amazon.com to describe the Dodgers’ financial and talent advantage, suggesting that their resources might simply be too overwhelming for the Blue Jays to overcome, despite the Blue Jays being a very good team.
Andrew Baggarly (LA): I’m thinking of 2012 when the Giants were heavy underdogs to Detroit and they had Miguel Cabrera, who’d become the first Triple Crown winner in a generation. The Giants contained Cabrera and swept the series (besting a young Max Scherzer along the way). So the Blue Jays (and Scherzer) have a template. Good luck following it against Shohei Ohtani, whose impact and accomplishments make a Triple Crown look cute by comparison.
Additional Expert Opinions
Katie Woo emphasizes the Dodgers’ starting pitching clinic, stating that their rotation consists of four aces. Sam Blum admits to picking against the Dodgers in every series so far and being wrong, acknowledging that they built their team for October. Charlotte Varnes highlights the Dodgers’ historic postseason pitching performance and suggests the Blue Jays lack the lefties necessary to shut down the Dodgers’ stars.
Cody Stavenhagen anticipates a tight series but believes the Dodgers’ depth of talent will ultimately prevail. Andy McCullough simply asks, ‘Folks, have you heard about this guy, Shohei Ohtani?’ encapsulating the star power the Dodgers possess.
Katie Woo (LA): The Dodgers put on a starting pitching clinic in the NLCS. They have addressed their bullpen concerns by using another rotation arm in Roki Sasaki as their de facto closer. They have an embarrassment of pitching riches.
Conclusion: When Does the World Series Start and Who Will Win?
While the exact date for when does the World Series start can be found on the official MLB schedule, the anticipation is already building. Our experts lean towards the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the 2025 World Series, citing their dominant pitching, powerful offense, and overall depth of talent. However, the Toronto Blue Jays possess a resilient spirit, a dangerous offense, and home-field advantage, making them a formidable opponent.
Ultimately, the series will hinge on key matchups, such as the Blue Jays’ hitters against the Dodgers’ pitching and the ability of both teams to exploit any weaknesses in their opponent’s bullpen. Whether it’s the Dodgers’ star power or the Blue Jays’ tenacity that prevails, the 2025 World Series promises to be a thrilling and memorable event for baseball fans everywhere.
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