After six months of baseball, The World Series is set. The Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Blue Jays. An unstoppable force versus an unmovable object. Who will come out on top this year?
Los Angeles Dodgers
Baseball’s newest empire who won the World Series last year and look to go back-to-back. The Dodgers are 9-1 this postseason and their pitchers have a 2.31 ERA since game 1 of the NLDS. The Dodgers’ path to the postseason included a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, a 3-1 series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, and a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. Filled with a plethora of talent through money, they can beat another team in whatever way they feel. Highlighting the team is the greatest player to ever touch the diamond, pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. The 31-year-old player is a two-way player who was previously with the Los Angeles Angles until the Dodgers signed him for 10 years 700 million dollars in the 2023-2024 offseason. Though mostly quiet with the bat, he has posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.22 FIP and 19 strikeouts within two starts this postseason. His most recent start may have been the greatest game played by a major leaguer. While allowing only two hits, zero runs, 3 walks, and striking out ten on six innings, Ohtani went 3/3 with three home runs where one went 469 feet.
However, it is more than just Shohei. This Dodgers team has an unstoppable postseason rotation containing 32-year-old Blake Snell (.86 postseason ERA), 26-year-old Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1.83 postseason ERA), 31-year-old Tyler Glasnow (.68 postseason ERA) and Shohei Ohtani (2.25 postseason ERA). Additionally, they have a star closer in 23-year-old-rookie Roki Sasaki who has only allowed a run and has three saves this postseason. Their offense isn’t as good as their pitching, but it is led by 33-year-old Teoscar Hernández and Shohei. Teoscar Hernández was signed by the Astros during the international signing period in 2011 before debuting for them in 2016. After bouncing around a couple teams (including the Blue Jays), he signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers in 2024. After he won the World Series with the Dodgers, he signed a three-year, $66 million extension with the Dodgers. Teoscar is slashing .268/.302/.585 (Left to right: Batting Average, On Base Percentage, Slugging) with 11 RBIs and four home runs this postseason. Ohtani is slashing .220/.333/.634 with nine RBIs and five home runs. If you come for the king, you better not miss.
Toronto Blue Jays
All of America (except California) rooting for…a Canadian team? The Toronto Blue Jays haven’t been to the World Series since 1993 in which they beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games 4-2. The Blue Jays have the better record so they will have home field advantage. They have a 7-4 record this postseason, and while the Dodgers have fantastic pitching, the Blue Jays have fantastic hitting. As a team, the Blue Jays are slashing .296/.355/.523 compared to the Dodgers .256/.340/.430. There are a lot more people contributing to this Blue Jays offense, but I am going to focus on designated hitter George Springer and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
36-year-old George Springer has been a key piece for the Blue Jays. In the 2021 season after playing for the Astros, George Springer signed a six year 150-million-dollar contract to play for the Blue Jays. Springer in the postseason is slashing .239/.321/.609 this postseason with nine RBIs and four home runs. 26-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed with the Blue Jays through an international signing period in 2015 and debuted in 2019. He has never been on another team and is slashing .442/.510/.930 for the Blue Jays this postseason. Pitching wise, 34-year-old RHP Kevin Gausman leads the team with a 2.00 ERA, and the pitching staff has a combined 4.36 ERA this postseason.
My Prediction
Don’t overthink it. I think the Dodgers will make quick work of the Blue Jays in 5 games. The Dodgers simply have too much talent both offensively and defensively. The only chance the Blue Jays have at winning is if their offense continues putting up insane numbers. However, with the Dodgers fantastic pitching, I see the offense being completely shut down. Speaking of shutting down, if the Dodgers win it all, a shutdown of the 2027 season might be lurking…
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Statistics gathered from baseball-reference.com
