The 2025 World Series is upon us, and if there’s one storyline that’s got everyone talking, it’s the faceoff between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays—a matchup brimming with intrigue, history, and just the right dose of good-natured banter. When the first pitch is thrown tonight at Rogers Centre, all eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way superstar, who nearly donned a Blue Jays uniform just two years ago. But as fate would have it, Ohtani will be leading off for the defending champions, while Toronto’s own cast of stars looks to end a championship drought stretching back to 1993.
This series isn’t just about baseball; it’s about what could have been, what is, and what might still unfold. The Blue Jays, after missing out on Ohtani in free agency, have found themselves right back in the spotlight, chasing glory with a roster built around homegrown talent and savvy signings. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, with their $396 million payroll and a lineup loaded with former MVPs, Cy Young winners, and World Series champions, are looking to cement their dynasty status.
Let’s rewind to December 4, 2023. Shohei Ohtani, the most coveted free agent in baseball, met with Blue Jays officials at their spring training complex in Dunedin, Florida. Toronto pulled out all the stops, even gifting Ohtani a Blue Jays hat and a jacket for his dog, Decoy. The recruitment effort was earnest, but ultimately, Ohtani signed a staggering $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers—a move that shook the baseball world. Now, as the World Series opens, Toronto manager John Schneider can’t help but poke a little fun at the memory.
“I hope he brought his hat, the Blue Jay hat that he took from us in our meeting. I hope he brought it back, finally,” Schneider joked on Thursday. “And the jacket for Decoy,” he added with a grin. Ohtani, never one to miss a beat, responded through an interpreter, “It’s in my garage.” The lighthearted exchange set the tone for a series that promises both fierce competition and mutual respect.
But don’t let the jokes fool you—there’s serious baseball to be played. Ohtani’s numbers this season are nothing short of jaw-dropping. After returning from elbow surgery, he batted .282 with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. On the mound, he posted a 1-1 record with a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts, striking out 62 batters in just 47 innings. And if that’s not enough, Ohtani’s performance in the National League Championship Series was downright historic. On October 17, he homered three times, pitched six shutout innings, and struck out 10 against Milwaukee, propelling the Dodgers to a four-game sweep and another shot at the title.
Ohtani’s dominance isn’t limited to the regular season or the NLCS. Against the Blue Jays, he’s been a nightmare for pitchers, slashing .314/.435/.719 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 121 career at-bats. Still, the Blue Jays aren’t backing down from the challenge. “He’s a great player,” Schneider acknowledged. “But that aside, I think that we have a great team and just an unbelievable cast of characters and players. I think things worked out the way they’re meant to work out.”
Indeed, things have worked out for Toronto in their own way. Unable to sign Ohtani, the Blue Jays pivoted and locked up first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a $500 million, 14-year contract starting next season. Guerrero has been instrumental in Toronto’s resurgence, leading the team to its first World Series appearance since Joe Carter’s walk-off in 1993. The Blue Jays tallied 94 wins in the regular season, earning them home-field advantage in this best-of-seven showdown.
As the narrative of David vs. Goliath swirls, Schneider is having none of it. “Two best teams left standing. Again, built differently, have different strengths. There’s a reason we are here and there’s a reason they’re there,” he said at Thursday’s workout. “I think the one thing we cannot do is look over there and say that is Goliath. That is a beatable baseball team that has its flaws, and that has its really, really good strengths. How we expose each of them will determine who wins the series. And I got all the confidence in the world in my guys.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed the sentiment, refusing to buy into the underdog narrative. “We got really good players, they got really good players. So the great thing about baseball is anything can happen,” Roberts remarked. “It’s going to be a great series. These guys are on a high right now, so we’re expecting a battle. So we certainly don’t see it that way.”
Toronto’s roster is no slouch, either. The 26-man squad features a blend of all-stars and breakout performers, each hungry for a taste of October glory. “I’ll say it until the day I die with this group: I’ll put this group of 26 up against anybody,” Schneider declared. “And they’re looking forward to taking on what is on paper the best team in baseball, that is playing really well right now, and I don’t think they would have it any other way.”
The pitching matchup for Game 1 is set: Toronto’s Trey Yesavage gets the nod against Los Angeles’ Blake Snell. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with the action broadcast live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. With the stakes this high, every inning, every pitch, and every managerial decision will be scrutinized by fans and pundits alike.
Ohtani, for his part, has nothing but praise for his Canadian opponents. “I really had a wonderful time getting to know them as an entire organization, and the impression I got is like, they’re very top class,” he said via TSN. “Awesome people. And so the circumstance that we get to play against them, against that superb organization, is something I’m really looking forward to.”
There’s a sense that this World Series is more than just a best-of-seven battle; it’s a celebration of baseball’s unpredictability and the power of perseverance. Toronto, once left wondering what might have been if Ohtani had chosen north of the border, now stands on the game’s grandest stage, ready to write a new chapter in franchise history. The Dodgers, meanwhile, seek to add another jewel to their crown, led by the very player Toronto once courted so ardently.
As the Rogers Centre fills and the anthem echoes through the dome, one thing’s for sure: this World Series is set to deliver drama, heart, and a few laughs along the way. Will Ohtani’s hat ever make it back to Toronto? Maybe not. But the memories—those are here to stay.
