All of baseball is focused on the match between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The wait is finally over for Toronto. After thirty years they return to the World Series stage to face a franchise that is definitely made for October baseball: the Dodgers. It’s not merely a matchup between two organizations; it’s a showdown of eras. On one side is the youthful, bold Blue Jays team, brimming with exuberance and unapologetic emotion. On the other side is a battle-hardened Dodgers roster, fronted by recognizable and accomplished names like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and the imposing Blake Snell.

When discussing dominance on the mound, Blake Snell’s postseason of 2025 was cinematic. Three games started. Three games won. An astonishing ERA of 0.86. Simply put, he was a man possessed, owning the strike zone while systematically putting opposing hitters to sleep at a frightening rate.

Snell, the veteran left-handed pitcher, either had a strong season, or he threw a masterpiece. His 2.35 ERA in the regular season solidified him as one of the top-tier pitchers in Major League Baseball, ranking at or above the 82nd percentile in xERA, hard-hit rate, and barrel percentage. What makes Snell so unique this October is not only his ability to strike hitters out but also his stamina. Snell is averaging seven innings a game, and he has become the iron shield for the Dodgers, who mask their only true flaw: a somewhat shaky bullpen. When Snell is masterful, Los Angeles is nearly unbeatable, as the Blue Jays will probably learn themselves.

For the Blue Jays, this narrative couldn't be more poetic: 22-year-old rookie Trey Yesavage will be on the bump for Toronto's first World Series game in over 30 years. Yesavage went from first-round selection to World Series starter naturally, like a pure American screenplay. What a different ask to face Snell in Game 1.

In his first six professional starts, Yesavage at times has looked electric—especially with a well-placed split finger. However, he has at times lacked consistency, reflected in his 4.20 ERA thus far in the postseason. The task for Toronto lies deeper than a potential inter-scenting statement they have hit. 227 lifetimes against Snell with an OPS that barely gets to .300.

There’s no question that the Blue Jays are here for a reason. They have slayed giants while defeating the Yankees in the ALDS and shocking the Mariners in the ALCS by coming back in a thrilling Game 7. At the forefront of this effort are Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, plus an active Bo Bichette who, with his bat, may be the emotional shot in the arm that Toronto needs. Guerrero Jr. has been nothing short of electric, and he has six home runs, 12 RBI, and a .442 batting average this postseason. 

Toronto has also shown the ability to thrive under pressure. Their 4.36 team ERA may not seem imposing, but their offense has been one of the most explosive in the playoffs while batting .296 with a .355 OBP and a whopping 71 runs scored. If they can get to Snell early, ideally out of the game by the fifth or sixth inning, they may tip the scales in terms of the advantage of their bullpen.

The Dodgers' postseason appears to be pure dominance. They swept Milwaukee in the first game of the NLCS, dominating them by a factor of 17 to 4 in two games, winning 14 of their last 15 games. Ohtani's three-home-run showcase in Game 4, along with the relentless feats of Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández, makes this lineup feel like it came from a cheat code.

Ohtani, with a .622 slugging percentage in the playoffs, is the central figure again who is a superstar on the global stage hunting down his first ring in a Dodgers uniform. Putting that together with the consistent value of Mookie Betts (a hit in 15 straight games) and Freeman's home run barrage (six home runs in his last seven postseason games), it's a lineup that can go off at any moment. With a nasty 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in the postseason, it’s clear this team can do it all. When Blake Snell throws deep into the game and the offense does reasonable work, they are unbeatable.

Every World Series has a duel that gives it character. In game one, it is Snell vs. Yesavage, which is the calm storm and the unexperienced flame.

Snell's postseason WHIP of 0.52 is obscene. He has allowed barely a base runner every two innings. Yesavage is charged with the difficulty of learning the significance of playoff baseball against a team filled with MVPs and all-stars. The rookie needs to bear down early for Toronto to have a shot. The Rogers Centre is going to be buzzing, but if the Dodgers get on the board first, it could quiet down in a hurry.

Why the Dodgers Will Win:

• 9 straight wins on the road

• 14 of their last 15 games won

• Snell has had nine or more strikeouts 5 out of 6 starts.

• Dodgers' bullpen ERA: 1.75 since postseason started

Why the Blue Jays Could Wreak Some Havoc:

• 9 straight wins as a home dog after a win

• They have covered the run line 9 straight games as a home dog.

• Their lineup is ranked 1st in hits and batting average (.265) so far this season.

For Dodgers Bettors:

• Freddie Freeman—Home run in 6 of last 7 playoff games vs. AL teams

• Mookie Betts—Hit in 15 straight games vs. Blue Jays

• Shohei Ohtani - 5 HR, 9 RBIs postseason

For Blue Jays Bettors:

• George Springer—Home run in 4 straight playoff games vs. Dodgers

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.—Extra base hit in 4 of 5 games vs. NL West.

• Bo Bichette—Expected return adds a much-needed boost to batting depth.

Betting Trends and Totals

• The Dodgers' previous nine away games against AL East teams have gone UNDER the total runs.

Let us be honest, the Dodgers are favored to win for a reason. Their roster depth, playoff experience, and Snell's current pitching intensity are a terrifying mixture. But Toronto plays well in chaotic situations. They just recently boasted victories over the Yankees and Mariners when no one gave them a chance. The Rogers Centre crowd will be deafening, the city will be buzzing with belief, and if their bats start warming up early, the Dodgers might feel real pressure for the first time this postseason.

Every pitch, every swing, and every second in Game 1 will write the story for the 2025 World Series. Whether it’s Ohtani’s superstardom, Snell’s outstanding performance, or the Blue Jays’ determination, this game feels like it is celebrating baseball’s international heartbeat.