The Toronto Blue Jays have secured their spot in the 2025 World Series after a hard-fought victory over the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). Their opponent in the championship series will be the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between two talented baseball franchises. With Game 1 set to take place Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Toronto’s Rogers Centre and broadcast on FOX, the anticipation among fans on both sides is palpable.
A key figure in the Blue Jays’ postseason success has been their star first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has elevated his game to new heights throughout the playoffs. At just 26 years old, Guerrero Jr. has posted remarkable numbers: a .442 batting average, six home runs, and 12 RBIs across 51 plate appearances in 11 games. His outstanding performance earned him the ALCS Most Valuable Player award as he helped lead the Blue Jays past the Mariners. Now, the spotlight is brighter than ever as Guerrero takes on the challenge of helping his team win four more games to capture the World Series title and bring a championship to Canada.
Guerrero Jr.’s connection to the city and country runs deep. Born in Canada but raised in the Dominican Republic, he has long felt a strong commitment to the Blue Jays and their fans. Speaking through an interpreter, Guerrero expressed his determination to make Canadians proud: “I was born here. I grew up in the Dominican, and then from the moment that I signed here, I knew I was going to be here my entire career. I knew that somehow I had to make all the fans, the entire country, proud of me, of my team. And like I always say, my challenge is to bring the World Series here back to Canada.”
This season, Guerrero cemented his status as the franchise’s cornerstone by signing a blockbuster 14-year, $500 million contract in April. His postseason exploits have shown that the Blue Jays’ investment is paying off. With six home runs already in October, he is tied with legendary Blue Jays players Joe Carter and José Bautista for the most postseason homers in franchise history, underscoring his immense impact on the team’s playoff run.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Guerrero’s leadership and maturity under pressure, highlighting how he has embraced his role as the team’s standard-bearer. Schneider recalled a conversation with star pitcher Max Scherzer earlier in the season, during which they discussed how Guerrero would need to carry himself both on and off the field. “He’s been great. He’s just been very, very aware of everything that’s going on, which is very hard to do when the spotlight is on you,” Schneider said. Guerrero’s ability to combine power hitting with exceptional contact skills—striking out only three times this postseason—has made him a formidable force at the plate.
The upcoming World Series will undoubtedly test Guerrero and the Blue Jays against one of the best pitching rotations in baseball. The Dodgers have been dominant on the mound throughout the postseason, allowing just 28 runs in 10 games. Their starting rotation boasts an elite group of pitchers, including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani. This formidable staff has been instrumental in the Dodgers’ success and will pose a significant challenge for the Blue Jays’ hitters.
For Game 1, the Dodgers have announced that Blake Snell will take the mound, while the Blue Jays will counter with rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage. Snell’s experience and postseason pedigree will be a tough hurdle for Toronto to overcome, but Yesavage represents a promising young arm eager to make a statement on the biggest stage. The duel between these two pitchers will set the tone for the series and could have a major impact on momentum.
As the Blue Jays prepare to face off against the Dodgers, all eyes will be on Guerrero Jr. to see if he can continue his exceptional form and lead Toronto to its first World Series title in over two decades. The Blue Jays’ fans and Canadian baseball enthusiasts nationwide will be hoping that their star player can deliver on his promise and bring a championship home.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are aiming to add to their storied history with another World Series victory, relying heavily on their balanced team and dominant pitching staff. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two talented squads, with Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays looking to overcome the challenge posed by Los Angeles’