Tag: MLB

For a team that looked shell-shocked 24 hours earlier under the dome of the Rogers Centre, the Los Angeles Dodgers rediscovered their rhythm on Saturday night. 

They found it in the sharp turns of Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s breaking ball, in the sound of Will Smith’s bat cracking through the northern air, and in the quiet resilience that championship teams seem to summon when the moment demands it.

Smith knocked in three, and Yamamoto dazzled on the game’s grandest stage yet again, as the Dodgers evened the 2025 World Series at one game apiece with a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays — a taut, beautifully constructed contest that shifted on precision, not power.

It began, fittingly, with two outs. Freddie Freeman doubled down the line in right, a vintage swing from a hitter who lives in the moments between pressure and poise. One pitch later, Smith brought him home with a single to left, silencing a sold-out crowd that had spent most of the day rehearsing noise.

For Yamamoto, this was a night to remind the baseball world why he’s revered on two continents. The 26-year-old right-hander — equal parts art and arithmetic — danced through early trouble, twice escaping runners on the corners without surrendering the knockout blow. His first test came immediately in the bottom of the first, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped in with two on and none out. Yamamoto never blinked. Three outs later, the scoreboard still read zero.

Toronto managed to scratch one across in the third, Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly bringing home George Springer to tie the game at one.

But from that moment forward, Yamamoto was untouchable. He retired the next 20 batters he faced, his delivery smooth as silk, his demeanor as unflappable as if he were throwing a bullpen on a lazy Sunday afternoon in April.

On the other side, Kevin Gausman was just as brilliant. After allowing that early run, he carved through the Dodgers’ lineup like a man in total control, retiring 17 straight hitters. His splitter danced with late life, his fastball found the edges, and his rhythm lulled the crowd into believing Toronto would seize command of the series.

But baseball, as it always has, turned on one swing.

In the seventh, with one out, Smith stepped in again — the same quiet leader who had delivered in the first. This time, he launched Gausman’s fastball into the cool Canadian night, sending it arcing into the second-deck of left-field seats. It was his first home run of the postseason, a bolt of release from a catcher whose value has always been steadier than spectacular.

Two batters later, Max Muncy followed with a shot of his own — an opposite-field blast that barely cleared the wall but felt like a statement. A 3–1 lead, earned through patience, timing, and the simple refusal to fold.

As the final out nestled into Muncy’s glove, the Dodgers walked off the field together — a team re-centered, a series reborn.

When the dust settled in Game 2, Yamamoto stayed on the top of the mound, high-fiving and hugging his teammates. He had just delivered another complete game masterpiece. Nine innings. 27 outs. Eight strikeouts. His command of the moment felt effortless — a symphony of spin and serenity.

Now the stage shifts west, to Dodger Stadium, where the series will continue under the California sun. Tyler Glasnow is slated to start Game 3 in front of the home crowd, with Shohei Ohtani — the global phenomenon who has waited all year for this moment — lined up for Game 4.

In a postseason that has already swung wildly between dominance and doubt, Game 2 offered a different kind of beauty — a masterclass in restraint, rhythm, and resolve.

Sometimes redemption doesn’t come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it comes in a well-placed fastball, a flick of the wrist, and a catcher who simply refuses to let the story end too soon.

The Dodgers are going home. And for the first time in this World Series, so is the momentum.

On a crisp October morning that smelled faintly of coffee, maple, and anticipation, Major League Baseball released the official rosters for the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers — and with it came storylines layered in both hope and heartache.

For Toronto, the headline couldn’t shine brighter. Bo Bichette, their All-Star shortstop and emotional heartbeat, is back. After missing the first two rounds of the postseason with a lingering hamstring injury, Bichette’s return gives the Blue Jays lineup a jolt of swagger and stability. His presence at shortstop restores the left side of Toronto’s infield — and perhaps their belief — just in time for the biggest stage of their season.

But for Los Angeles, Friday morning’s announcement carried a somber tone. The Dodgers will enter the World Series without two of their most trusted bullpen arms — a reminder that baseball, for all its precision, is still shaped by the unpredictability of life.

The club confirmed that Alex Vesia, their highest-leverage left-handed reliever, was left off the roster as he and his wife Kayla navigate what the team described as “a deeply personal family matter.” The Dodgers released a statement Thursday evening expressing support for the Vesia family, saying the organization’s thoughts are with them during this time.

Vesia, 29, was one of Los Angeles’ most reliable bullpen pieces this year — posting a 3.02 ERA with 80 strikeouts in nearly 60 innings. He had been steady throughout October, allowing a run in just one of his seven playoff appearances. His absence leaves a significant void in the Dodgers’ late-inning mix — a bullpen that already leans heavily on matchups and margins.

Adding to that void is the omission of Tanner Scott, the former All-Star and Dodgers’ closer, whose season was as volatile as it was vital. Scott, who led the majors with 11 blown saves, underwent a lower-body abscess removal procedure during the NLDS against Philadelphia. Though he was eligible to return for the World Series, the team ultimately decided to keep him off the active roster — a decision made with an eye toward health, not headlines.

In their place, the Dodgers turned to a pair of right-handers — Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein — the latter of which has yet to pitch in this postseason. They bring power arms, but not playoff pedigree. It’s a gamble for manager Dave Roberts, who will have to navigate high-pressure innings without two of his most battle-tested relievers.

For now, the Dodgers’ focus shifts from who’s missing to who’s here — from uncertainty to opportunity. And on the other side, Toronto celebrates the return of its golden-haired shortstop, whose reappearance might just tilt the emotional balance north of the border.

Game 1 of the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays begins Friday night at 8 p.m. ET from Rogers Centre.

The 2025 World Series is upon us and unlike last season’s meeting of titans, this rendition of the Fall Classic features a classic David vs. Goliath story.

The juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers are a baseball behemoth. They may have struggled through a 93-win regular season, but they’ve steamrolled through the postseason, proving that the team with the highest payroll in MLB might just have been playing possum all along.

The Dodgers have a 9-1 record in their first three rounds of the 2025 MLB Playoffs after vanquishing the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. If they manage to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, they will have completed the best postseason run (by winning percentage) in MLB history (in the modern era).

Despite having a better record than the Dodgers in the regular season, the Blue Jays are the underdogs entering the World Series. Many have said that the Dodgers are ruining baseball with their bloated spending, with others even insisting that the Blue Jays need to win the World Series over Los Angeles or else there will be a lockout in 2027.

“They said the Dodgers are ruining baseball,” said Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts during his postgame interview after his team swept the Brewers to advance to their second straight World Series. “Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 World Series:

Preview

This isn’t your standard Fall Classic. We’re looking at two of baseball’s best arms, two deep rotations, and a star hitter in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who may well be the best bat in the 2025 Playoffs.

The Dodgers surged into the Series by sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, showing dominance across the board.

 The Blue Jays earned their spot by climbing back in a brutal ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.

The rotation advantage is firmly with Los Angeles. Their quartet — names like Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani — give them a starting-pitching edge few clubs have seen.

Toronto, on the other hand, doesn’t beat themselves. They led MLB in comeback victories during the regular season (49), just one ahead of the Dodgers. That shows resilience, late-game focus, and the ability to flip a game.

The Blue Jays also boast a lineup capable of hitting good pitching, playing tight defense, and now, have home-field into this Series. The fact they secured the best record in the American League and thereby home-field in the World Series gives them a legitimate shot. 

Key Storylines

Back-to-back

The Dodgers are trying to become the first team to repeat as World Champions since the New York Yankees did it in 1999-2000. That kind of dynasty magic is rare. And for LA, this feels like “mission not complete.” Their deep roster, experienced manager and big-game culture all come into focus here. 

The Blue Jays’ return to the Fall Classic

For the Toronto franchise, this is their first appearance in the Fall Classic since their back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. It’s been 32 years since the Blue Jays were here; the itch is serious. They know what winning looks like, even if they haven’t done it in a long time. 

The unstoppable force that is Vladito

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has emerged as a force this October. According to multiple analysts, he may be the best hitter in the Playoffs. He’s slashing .442/.510/.930 according to one data point. 

Bullpen questions & momentum swings

While both clubs have strong starting pitching, both teams bullpens have been a concern. The Dodgers bullpen had a 5.26 ERA in September, bottom 5 in all of baseball. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays bullpen has an ERA of 5.52 in the postseason with a high walk rate.

The narrative of “baseball’s future”

There’s more than just trophies at stake. Some commentary suggests this Series might matter for baseball’s broader health in the U.S.—the idea that if the team with the highest payroll in baseball–the Dodgers–steamrolls, we risk “ruining” the sport or diminishing returns. Something that definitely could be a topic of conversation when the current CBA ends at the end of the 2026 season. That adds sub-text: the Blue Jays representing a resilient challenger, the Dodgers representing elite dominance.

Home-field and playoff path contrast

Contrast: the Dodgers had a sweep in the NLCS—relatively rested. The Blue Jays had to claw through a Game 7 in their league. On one hand, the Dodgers have momentum; on the other, the Blue Jays have battle-tested urgency. In the previous four times one team has swept the LCS, and the other team had to battle through a Game 7, the team that did the sweeping came out on the losing end of the World Series all four times.

In 1988, the A’s swept the Red Sox and then lost to the Dodgers 4-1.
In 2006, the Tigers swept the A’s and then lost to the Cardinals 4-1.
In 2007, the Rockies swept the D-backs and then lost to the Red Sox 4-0.
In 2012, the Tigers swept the Yankees and then lost to the Giants 4-0.

That pattern doesn’t bode well for the Dodgers, who will seek to become the first team to win the Fall Classic after sweeping the LCS, and their opponent playing in a Game 7.

Match-up of starting rotations

The match-up on the mound is going to be low-scoring, razor-close for many games. But the Dodgers arguably have the deeper stable of starters and more consistent results in high-pressure spots. The Blue Jays will need their bats to pop, early and often, to keep pace.

How to Watch the 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays

First things first: the 2025 Fall Classic between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays begins Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. 

All games will be broadcast on FOX in the U.S., and in Canada on Sportsnet (English) / TVA Sports (French). 

Streaming options: FOX app / FOX Sports app (with TV provider login), plus other live-TV services (YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, fuboTV) are available. If you’re in Canada you’ll want Sportsnet/Sportsnet+.

All games will start at 8PM EST/ 5PM PST

Game 1, Friday, Oct. 24: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
Game 2, Saturday, Oct. 25: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET

Game 3, Monday, Oct. 27: Blue Jays at Dodgers. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 28: Blue Jays at Dodgers. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET

*Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 29: Blue Jays at Dodgers. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
*Game 6, Friday, Oct. 31: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
*Game 7, Saturday, Nov. 1: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET

*if necessary.

Predictions

This feels like one of those Fall Classics where you simply must watch every game. If you tune in only for the marquee starters and big names, fine—but you’ll miss the nuance. The comeback kids of Toronto against the reigning, defending, undisputed champions in the Dodgers.

If the Dodgers win, it will affirm their status as arguably the most complete club in baseball right now. If the Blue Jays win, it might one of the more meaningful upsets of recent October history.

Either way, grab your snacks, lean back, and enjoy: this one’s going to be a ride.

Here are NBC4’s sports personalities predictions: 

Mario Solis, NBC4 Weekday Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 4

Olivia Garvey, NBC4 Weekend Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 5

Alejandro Navarro, Telemundo52 Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 6

Michael J. Duarte, NBC4 Sports Writer & Reporter: Dodgers in 5

The stage is set. The lights are ready. The Fall Classic returns with a heavyweight collision between two baseball powerhouses — the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the resurgent Toronto Blue Jays, who return to the World Series stage for the first time since 1993.

This isn’t just baseball. It’s destiny colliding with legacy with stars in abundance: Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman against Vladamir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and Bo Bichette. It’s blue versus blue — Los Angeles royalty against Canadian thunder.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball’s modern dynasty, are chasing history. No team has repeated as World Series champions since the 2000 New York Yankees — a milestone the Dodgers have had circled since the champagne dried last October. Powered by Shohei Ohtani, who has rewritten the rules of what a baseball player can be, and a deep rotation anchored by two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Ohtani–only as a pitcher. The Dodgers arrive at the Fall Classic with one mission: defend the crown.

Across the border, the Toronto Blue Jays carry the weight of a nation’s hope. It’s been 32 years since Joe Carter’s legendary walk-off sealed their last title. Now, a new generation led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer has brought October magic back to the Rogers Centre. They battled through the American League gauntlet — surviving seven games against Seattle — to earn the right to host the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series.

This matchup is more than just star power. It’s a mirror — one team trying to extend its dynasty, the other trying to start one.

2025 World Series Schedule

All games will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. FOX’s national pregame show starts one hour earlier at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT.

Game 1 Friday, October 24 Dodgers at Blue Jays Rogers Centre, Toronto FOX / FOX Deportes

Game 2 Saturday, October 25 Dodgers at Blue Jays Rogers Centre, Toronto FOX / FOX Deportes

Game 3 Monday, October 27 Blue Jays at Dodgers Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles FOX / FOX Deportes

Game 4 Tuesday, October 28 Blue Jays at Dodgers Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles FOX / FOX Deportes

Game 5 Wednesday, October 29* Blue Jays at Dodgers Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles FOX / FOX Deportes

Game 6 Friday, October 31* Dodgers at Blue Jays Rogers Centre, Toronto FOX / FOX Deportes

Game 7 Saturday, November 1* Dodgers at Blue Jays Rogers Centre, Toronto FOX / FOX Deportes

*If necessary

How to Watch the 2025 World Series

Fans can catch every pitch, swing, and heart-stopping moment of the 2025 World Series on FOX, FOX Deportes, and the FOX Sports App. Streaming will also be available through MLB.TV for authenticated subscribers.

National radio coverage will be provided by ESPN Radio (English) and Univision Radio (Spanish). In Canada, the Series will air live on Sportsnet TV and Radio. Around the world, 44 media partners will bring the Fall Classic to 203 countries in 16 languages.

For those craving deeper analysis, MLB Network will deliver wall-to-wall coverage throughout the week with MLB Tonight, MLB Central, MLB Now, and Intentional Talk.