How to watch Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, preview, predictions, and storylines – NBC Los Angeles

The 2025 World Series is upon us and unlike last season’s meeting of titans, this rendition of the Fall Classic features a classic David vs. Goliath story.

The juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers are a baseball behemoth. They may have struggled through a 93-win regular season, but they’ve steamrolled through the postseason, proving that the team with the highest payroll in MLB might just have been playing possum all along.

The Dodgers have a 9-1 record in their first three rounds of the 2025 MLB Playoffs after vanquishing the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. If they manage to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, they will have completed the best postseason run (by winning percentage) in MLB history (in the modern era).

Despite having a better record than the Dodgers in the regular season, the Blue Jays are the underdogs entering the World Series. Many have said that the Dodgers are ruining baseball with their bloated spending, with others even insisting that the Blue Jays need to win the World Series over Los Angeles or else there will be a lockout in 2027.

“They said the Dodgers are ruining baseball,” said Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts during his postgame interview after his team swept the Brewers to advance to their second straight World Series. “Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 World Series:

Preview

This isn’t your standard Fall Classic. We’re looking at two of baseball’s best arms, two deep rotations, and a star hitter in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who may well be the best bat in the 2025 Playoffs.

The Dodgers surged into the Series by sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, showing dominance across the board.

 The Blue Jays earned their spot by climbing back in a brutal ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.

The rotation advantage is firmly with Los Angeles. Their quartet — names like Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani — give them a starting-pitching edge few clubs have seen.

Toronto, on the other hand, doesn’t beat themselves. They led MLB in comeback victories during the regular season (49), just one ahead of the Dodgers. That shows resilience, late-game focus, and the ability to flip a game.

The Blue Jays also boast a lineup capable of hitting good pitching, playing tight defense, and now, have home-field into this Series. The fact they secured the best record in the American League and thereby home-field in the World Series gives them a legitimate shot. 

Key Storylines

Back-to-back

The Dodgers are trying to become the first team to repeat as World Champions since the New York Yankees did it in 1999-2000. That kind of dynasty magic is rare. And for LA, this feels like “mission not complete.” Their deep roster, experienced manager and big-game culture all come into focus here. 

The Blue Jays’ return to the Fall Classic

For the Toronto franchise, this is their first appearance in the Fall Classic since their back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. It’s been 32 years since the Blue Jays were here; the itch is serious. They know what winning looks like, even if they haven’t done it in a long time. 

The unstoppable force that is Vladito

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has emerged as a force this October. According to multiple analysts, he may be the best hitter in the Playoffs. He’s slashing .442/.510/.930 according to one data point. 

Bullpen questions & momentum swings

While both clubs have strong starting pitching, both teams bullpens have been a concern. The Dodgers bullpen had a 5.26 ERA in September, bottom 5 in all of baseball. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays bullpen has an ERA of 5.52 in the postseason with a high walk rate.

The narrative of “baseball’s future”

There’s more than just trophies at stake. Some commentary suggests this Series might matter for baseball’s broader health in the U.S.—the idea that if the team with the highest payroll in baseball–the Dodgers–steamrolls, we risk “ruining” the sport or diminishing returns. Something that definitely could be a topic of conversation when the current CBA ends at the end of the 2026 season. That adds sub-text: the Blue Jays representing a resilient challenger, the Dodgers representing elite dominance.

Home-field and playoff path contrast

Contrast: the Dodgers had a sweep in the NLCS—relatively rested. The Blue Jays had to claw through a Game 7 in their league. On one hand, the Dodgers have momentum; on the other, the Blue Jays have battle-tested urgency. In the previous four times one team has swept the LCS, and the other team had to battle through a Game 7, the team that did the sweeping came out on the losing end of the World Series all four times.

In 1988, the A’s swept the Red Sox and then lost to the Dodgers 4-1.
In 2006, the Tigers swept the A’s and then lost to the Cardinals 4-1.
In 2007, the Rockies swept the D-backs and then lost to the Red Sox 4-0.
In 2012, the Tigers swept the Yankees and then lost to the Giants 4-0.

That pattern doesn’t bode well for the Dodgers, who will seek to become the first team to win the Fall Classic after sweeping the LCS, and their opponent playing in a Game 7.

Match-up of starting rotations

The match-up on the mound is going to be low-scoring, razor-close for many games. But the Dodgers arguably have the deeper stable of starters and more consistent results in high-pressure spots. The Blue Jays will need their bats to pop, early and often, to keep pace.

How to Watch the 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays

First things first: the 2025 Fall Classic between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays begins Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. 

All games will be broadcast on FOX in the U.S., and in Canada on Sportsnet (English) / TVA Sports (French). 

Streaming options: FOX app / FOX Sports app (with TV provider login), plus other live-TV services (YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, fuboTV) are available. If you’re in Canada you’ll want Sportsnet/Sportsnet+.

All games will start at 8PM EST/ 5PM PST

Game 1, Friday, Oct. 24: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
Game 2, Saturday, Oct. 25: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET

Game 3, Monday, Oct. 27: Blue Jays at Dodgers. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 28: Blue Jays at Dodgers. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET

*Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 29: Blue Jays at Dodgers. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
*Game 6, Friday, Oct. 31: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET
*Game 7, Saturday, Nov. 1: Dodgers at Blue Jays. First pitch is 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET

*if necessary.

Predictions

This feels like one of those Fall Classics where you simply must watch every game. If you tune in only for the marquee starters and big names, fine—but you’ll miss the nuance. The comeback kids of Toronto against the reigning, defending, undisputed champions in the Dodgers.

If the Dodgers win, it will affirm their status as arguably the most complete club in baseball right now. If the Blue Jays win, it might one of the more meaningful upsets of recent October history.

Either way, grab your snacks, lean back, and enjoy: this one’s going to be a ride.

Here are NBC4’s sports personalities predictions: 

Mario Solis, NBC4 Weekday Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 4

Olivia Garvey, NBC4 Weekend Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 5

Alejandro Navarro, Telemundo52 Sports Anchor: Dodgers in 6

Michael J. Duarte, NBC4 Sports Writer & Reporter: Dodgers in 5