Thu Oct 23 23:20:00 UTC 2025: Dodgers Favored as World Series Opens in Toronto
Toronto, ON – The 2025 World Series kicks off Friday night with the Toronto Blue Jays hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers, and experts are leaning towards a Dodgers victory. A panel of 19 MLB executives, scouts, managers, and coaches surveyed by ESPN overwhelmingly favored Los Angeles, citing their dominant starting pitching as the key to success.
“Nobody is beating that Dodger rotation,” one former manager said. Multiple respondents highlighted the Dodgers’ ability to let their starters pitch deep into games, particularly after their strong performance in the NLCS, potentially exposing Toronto’s bullpen. The starting pitching performance in the NLCS stands out even more because we are in the day and age of bullpens.
However, the Blue Jays are not being counted out. Several respondents emphasized the team’s potent offense and its ability to wear down opposing pitchers, potentially exploiting the Dodgers’ bullpen weaknesses. Blue Jays’ offense is legit.
“The Blue Jays’ lineup can wear down good pitching, foul balls off, put the balls in play. The Dodger defense is going to get tested.”
The spotlight will be on Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been on a tear this postseason, and how the Dodgers choose to pitch to him. Several experts suggested Los Angeles might pitch around Guerrero Jr., putting pressure on other Blue Jays hitters like Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger to step up.
Another key to victory lies within the play of Toronto’s defence and the effectiveness of pitchers such as Jeff Hoffman to close out tight games, along with neutralizing Shohei Ohtani and the other lefties in that lineup.
While the Dodgers are seen as having the advantage in starting pitching, the Blue Jays have a stellar defence and ability to test the Dodgers bullpen. One scout questioned whether Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will let his starters dominate, which might see less of a need for bullpen decisions.
The first game of the series promises high stakes and intense competition.
First Piper 