2025 World Series Preview
Previewing the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers
We have arrived, folks. After seven months, and so many games, we are down to just two teams. The 121st edition of the World Series in this modern era is all set, and it will feature the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers going at it. Because the Dodgers are the defending champions, this is a champions vs challengers situation here. In addition, for the second straight year, the Fall Classic will feature two of the continent's largest markets going at it, so this should be a hell of a Series here.
So without further ado, let's take a look at the participating teams in this thing. First up, the challengers:
Toronto Blue Jays
We all know the story when it comes to sports in Toronto, the most populous city in Canada. The Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967, and since then, the city has won elsewhere. The CFL's Argonauts, that's a given, but I'm talking about in other leagues. They've won in the NBA. They've even won in Major League Soccer. Of course, the most successful non-NHL franchise in Toronto is MLB's Blue Jays. The Jays won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993, but after that, not much else has come to the team. Until now.
The Blue Jays were playing catch up in the American League East, and they capitalized on the Yankees' struggles and took over first place in the division, narrowly clinching the division and the AL's #1 seed in the final day. The Jays would defeat these same Yankees in a four-game ALDS, and the ALCS was a seven-game thriler won by the Jays over the Seattle Mariners. George Springer's three-run homer was the difference that night, but the overall difference maker for the Jays has been Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.
Vlad Jr.'s postseason has been one for the ages. Six homers, 12 RBIs, a .442 bating average in 11 games. He signed a huge deal that would keep him in a Blue Jays uniform for the rest of his career. When he signed it, I originally thought, "He'll be stuck there carrying a team who won't go anywhere." Yet lo and behold, there he is, four wins away from a championship. I watched his dad play. Vlad Sr. is legendary, but never got to the World Series. Vlad Jr. said, in so many words, he's going to win it for his dad. It's another Cody Rhodes moment--finishing the story.
And now, the defending champions:
Los Angeles Dodgers
In MLB, it's hard to get to back-to-back World Series. It's even harder to do so as defending champions. 2024 saw the Los Angeles Dodgers end their season on top; a well deserved ending after years of upsets and having their 2020 championship mocked. The Dodgers needed to do it again, but they did have a few hiccups during this year. They still managed to win the National League West yet again, but they had to start in the Wild Card round. No problem. They did sweep the Reds in that series--the only one where the Dodgers had home field. After that, they dismantled the Phillies (NLDS) and Brewers (NLCS) very, very easily, resulting in a postseason where they have only lost one game.
The Dodgers hit 13 total home runs in this run, but five of them were hit by Shohei Ohtani. He's been the magic man for this team ever since the Dodgers gave him those Brinks trucks full of money prior to the 2024 season. Teoscar Hernandez, who played a key role in last year's championship, continues to hit in the clutch this year, and they still have Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts coming through for the Dodgers.
For the 26th straight year, the World Series will air entirely on Fox, and it'll be the pairing of Joe Davis and John Smoltz calling the action. This is the fourth straight Fall Classic for Davis (who, locally, calls Dodgers games), who replaced Joe Buck as Fox's top MLB voice after Buck left Fox following the end of that year's NFC Championship Game. The Blue Jays will have the home field advantage due to having a better record (by one game) than the Dodgers. Games One and Two will emanate from Toronto's Rogers Centre on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. The Series will shift to Dodger Stadium, with Game Three taking place on Monday, October 27 (as part of the yearly Sports Equinox), while Game Four will take place on Tuesday, October 28. If necessary, Game Five will take place on Wednesday, October 29, and then the Series will return to Canada for a possible Game Six on Halloween (Friday, October 31), and a possible Game Seven on Saturday, November 1.
I love the World Series with a passion, mainly because it's the last main championship of the calendar year. I have a feeling that this year's Fall Classic will be a very unforgettable one, I just know it!
About the Creator
Clyde E. Dawkins
I'm a big sports fan, especially hockey, and I've been a fan of villainesses since I was eight! My favorite shows are The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc.
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