Now that the 2025 World Collection matchup has been set, it is time to dig into the 2 opponents.
The Nationwide League-champion Los Angeles Dodgers are the betting favourite to repeat as champions after successful the 2024 Fall Traditional, sitting at -220 odds, per BetMGM. In the meantime, the American League-champion Toronto Blue Jays sit at +180 odds, a transparent underdog on this collection.
Nevertheless, Toronto completed the common season with 94 wins, higher than Los Angeles‘ 93 wins, regardless of expectations that the latter would cruise to 100-plus victories in 2025.
With all that mentioned, let’s break down the three key positional teams for each World Collection groups.
Beginning pitching
The Dodgers have an elite beginning rotation, led by lefty Blake Snell and his microscopic 0.86 postseason ERA. Following Snell are rightys Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani (who additionally DHs, by the way in which) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This employees is an entire 180 from final yr’s squad, which relied on a stellar bullpen.
In the meantime, the Blue Jays have strong starters of their very own, particularly ace Kevin Gausman, in addition to veteran Shane Bieber and rookie Trey Yesavage. However let’s face it: Toronto’s beginning pitching isn’t any match for Los Angeles‘.
Benefit: Dodgers
Lineups
Offense hasn’t been a difficulty for both workforce, with the Dodgers boasting a deep lineup led by a lot of final yr’s champions like Ohtani, shortstop Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, proper fielder Teoscar Hernandez, third baseman Max Muncy and catcher Will Smith, amongst others.
One may argue Toronto has the most effective pure hitter on this collection in first baseman (and ALCS MVP) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whereas outfielder George Springer is as clutch as they arrive. Importantly, shortstop Bo Bichette can be poised to return for the World Collection, which solely lengthens this Blue Jays lineup extra.
We’ll give the nod to the Dodgers right here on expertise alone, nevertheless it’s very shut, with loads of star energy to go round.
Benefit: Dodgers, barely
Bullpen
That is the place it will get fascinating. The Dodgers‘ bullpen has been notoriously dangerous this postseason, save for the emergence of righty Roki Sasaki as a dominant nearer. Actually, Los Angeles has resorted to piggy-backing starters with different starters in a number of playoff video games this October, chatting with their aid struggles.
It isn’t just like the Blue Jays have a vastly superior bullpen, although. They have some first rate arms like righties Louis Varland, Seranthony Dominguez and Jeff Hoffman, however none of these names could be mistaken for a chief Mariano Rivera.
In the end, amount triumphs over high quality right here, and Los Angeles merely does not have sufficient bullpen manpower to prime Toronto’s assortment of aid arms ought to a sport or two come right down to that.
Benefit: Blue Jays
Total, the Dodgers and Blue Jays seem like extra evenly matched than individuals would possibly anticipate. Each golf equipment will run out a formidable lineup nightly. Nevertheless, Los Angeles‘ beginning pitching has a transparent edge on this collection, regardless of the Toronto’s bullpen being barely higher.
Prediction: Dodgers in 5
