The 2025 World Series is reaching a thrilling climax as the Toronto Blue Jays edge closer to securing their first championship since their back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. Leading the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Blue Jays stand just one win away from hoisting the trophy. Meanwhile, the Dodgers face a do-or-die situation, needing to win the next two games to defend their title and claim consecutive championships.
While the exact date for the series’ conclusion remains uncertain—either Friday or Saturday—the writing is on the wall: the end of this intense battle is near. With the finish line in sight, attention turns toward recognizing the standout players who have shaped this World Series and determining the Most Valuable Player (MVP) who has made the biggest impact in this final contest.
Picking a clear MVP from this series has proven to be a challenging task. Only one game so far has been decided by fewer than four runs—the 18-inning marathon in Game 3 that the Dodgers won—while the other games have been decided by relatively wide margins. This dynamic has limited the opportunities for clutch, narrative-defining performances that often sway MVP voting. Nonetheless, several players have emerged with strong cases for the honor, and it is worth exploring five realistic candidates through the conclusion of Game 5.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stands out as a leading contender. He has been a consistent offensive force for the Blue Jays, recording at least one hit in all five games and multiple hits in three of those contests. Guerrero has delivered power when it mattered, hitting home runs early in Games 4 and 5 that helped the Blue Jays gain and extend their leads. Beyond the numbers, Guerrero’s storyline adds a compelling layer to his candidacy. Early in the season, he chose to sign a long-term contract extension with Toronto rather than testing free agency this offseason, demonstrating his commitment to the team’s future. While this decision doesn’t directly factor into statistics, it appeals to narrative-driven voters and sportswriters who appreciate a player’s loyalty and leadership—a valuable tiebreaker in a field without an obvious frontrunner.
Another notable candidate is rookie pitcher Tyler Yesavage, who made a strong impression in Game 5 by striking out 12 Dodgers, breaking the rookie record for strikeouts in a World Series game previously held by Don Newcombe. Yesavage’s performance in that outing was dominant and showcased his potential to be a game-changer on the mound. However, his overall case is somewhat tempered by a less impressive start in Game 1, where he exited after four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks. Despite this, Yesavage boasts the second-highest Championship Win Probability Added (CWPA) among Blue Jays pitchers, trailing only Eric Lauer. Lauer was also instrumental in the marathon Game 3, pitching several scoreless innings and helping keep Toronto in the contest. Yesavage’s strong finish to the series keeps him firmly in the MVP conversation, especially given the rarity of rookies winning the award—only three have done so before: Jeremy Peña in 2022, Liván Hernández in 1997, and Larry Sherry in 1959.
If neither Guerrero nor Yesavage secures the MVP, catcher Connor Barger presents a compelling alternative. Barger has been a consistent offensive contributor, recording multiple hits in four of the five games played so far. His most eye-catching moment came in Game 1, when he hit a grand slam that effectively broke the game open in favor of the Blue Jays. Beyond his hitting, Barger has contributed defensively with an assist in Game 3 and has been active in scoring or driving in runs in Games 3, 4, and 5. His overall performance has been strong enough to earn him recognition as one of CBS Sports’ postseason breakout players, highlighting his emergence as a key piece in Toronto’s championship run.
Turning to the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani remains a potential candidate for MVP honors, although his team currently trails in the series. Ohtani’s incredible Game 3 performance demonstrated his immense talent—he recorded four extra-base hits, including two home runs, and reached base a record nine times. Such an extraordinary display of skill and endurance is rare in World Series history. However, because Ohtani’s team is behind in the series, and given that only one player, Bobby Richardson in 1960,