Los Angeles Dodgers (104-58) at Toronto Blue Jays (94-68)
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
First Pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET
Pitching Matchup: Blake Snell (LAD LHP) vs. Trey Yesavage (TOR RHP)
Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto (Home-field advantage to the Blue Jays)
The 2025 World Series opens tonight with a clash of narratives as the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers, led by a scorching-hot Blake Snell, face a Toronto Blue Jays team making history by handing the ball to rookie sensation Trey Yesavage for Game 1.
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This matchup is a study in contrasts: Snell represents the Dodgers’ veteran, dominant playoff rotation, while the 22-year-old Yesavage embodies the Blue Jays’ aggressive, high-risk, high-reward approach.
Complicating the picture further, the Blue Jays have activated All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette, who returns after a 1.5-month absence due to a sprained left knee, injecting a massive, yet uncertain, boost into the series opener.
The Pitching Contrast: Ace vs. Anomaly
Dodgers: Blake Snell (LHP)
Blake Snell has been statistically untouchable this postseason, justifying the Dodgers’ decision to bypass Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow for the Game 1 nod.
| Snell Postseason Metrics | Stat | Context/Significance |
| ERA | 0.86 | Has thrown 14 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts. |
| K-Rate | 38.9% | Elite strikeout rate in October; his FIP (1.09) is also near-historic. |
| Walk Rate | 6.9% | A major improvement from his regular-season average, key to his current dominance. |
Scouting the Matchup: The Blue Jays’ offense is built for contact and ranked a strong 111 wRC+ against left-handed pitching in the regular season. However, Snell’s challenge will be navigating the heart of the Toronto order—specifically the game’s hottest hitter, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is batting .442 with 6 HR and a 1.440 OPS this postseason. Snell’s plan will rely heavily on tunneling his off-speed pitches, as the Blue Jays are known for their ability to handle high-velocity fastballs.
Blue Jays: Trey Yesavage (RHP)
The Blue Jays’ decision to start Yesavage makes him the second-youngest Game 1 starter in World Series history (22 years, 88 days). This bold move is a testament to the rookie’s recent form but carries considerable risk against a loaded Dodgers lineup. Yesavage is making just his seventh career MLB start and fourth this postseason.
| Yesavage Career/Postseason Metrics | Stat | Context/Significance |
| Career Starts | 6 | Game 1 will be his 7th career MLB start—unprecedented for a World Series opener. |
| Postseason K-Rate | 36.1% | Illustrates his immense strikeout upside, highlighted by an 11-K, no-hit outing in the ALDS. |
| BB-Rate | 11.3% (Career) | The Dodgers’ active roster ranked second in BB-Rate (10.1%) vs. RHP, ready to capitalize on any control issues. |
| Hard-Hit % | 61.5% (Career) | Yesavage gives up hard contact, which is dangerous against the Dodgers’ power trio. |
Scouting the Matchup: Yesavage’s primary weapon is his elite splitter. He will need pinpoint control of this pitch to mitigate the walk risk and avoid the hard contact that the Dodgers’ potent lineup—led by Ohtani and Freeman—will aggressively seek out. The Blue Jays will have a short leash on their young arm, ready to go to their bullpen, which features solid setup men Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez.
Key Storylines and Roster Notes
- The Bichette Question: All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette (.311 AVG, 18 HR) is officially on the roster but has not played since Sept. 6. Manager John Schneider’s deployment of Bichette is Game 1’s biggest variable. If he DHs, he pushes a powerful bat into the lineup over a bench piece. However, his defensive use at shortstop or second base (a position he hasn’t played in the majors) remains a major question mark.
- Dodgers’ Bullpen Shorthanded: LHP Alex Vesia is away from the team due to a “deeply personal family matter” and is off the roster, a significant loss for a bullpen that is already without veteran Tanner Scott (post-surgical recovery). Manager Dave Roberts will rely heavily on Roki Sasaki in the closer role, with Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, and Emmet Sheehan forming the bridge.
Managerial Battle: Roberts vs. Schneider
The series also features a managerial contrast that will play a decisive role in Game 1.
| Manager | Style/Reputation | Key Game 1 Decision Point |
| Dave Roberts (LAD) | When to Pull Snell: Roberts has an elite bullpen, but using a dominant Snell deep into the game protects the shorthanded relief corps. He must decide if he allows Snell to face Guerrero Jr. and the top of the order for a fourth time. | When to Pull Snell: Roberts has an elite bullpen, but using a dominant Snell deep into the game protects the shor-handed relief corps. He must decide if he allows Snell to face Guerrero Jr. and the top of the order for a fourth time. |
| John Schneider (TOR) | A modern, aggressive manager known for his unwavering support of his players and a willingness to utilize analytics, including a quick hook for starters. He has a high-energy dugout presence. | The Yesavage Leash: This is the ultimate test of his aggressive philosophy. How quickly will he turn to his bullpen—like a rested Chris Bassitt for length—if Yesavage’s command wavers in the third or fourth inning against the most dangerous lineup in baseball? |
The managers’ strategic decisions in the middle innings, particularly how they navigate the third time through the order with their disparate starting pitchers, will likely determine the Game 1 outcome.
LAFB Network Game 1 Prediction
The storyline of the young, aggressive underdog is compelling, and the Rogers Centre crowd will be a factor. However, the World Series’ first game is often dictated by veteran composure and starting pitching dominance. Blake Snell is having a career postseason, and the pressure on Trey Yesavage against Shohei Ohtani in the first inning is immense. While the Blue Jays’ contact-heavy offense will scratch out runs later, Snell’s mastery should hold the Dodgers’ lead through the middle frames.
Projected Score: Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 2
Game 1 Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
