The [Los Angeles Dodgers](/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers) are the heavy favorites to win the 2025 World Series and become the first team to repeat as champions in a quarter of a century. However, the road to the title is not written, and the [Toronto Blue Jays](/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays), champions of the American League, pose a serious threat.
In the Blue Jays’ ranks are two of the top three players heading into the series, and nearly half of the top 20 players. We analyze the stars, ranking the best participants in the series based on their expected performance and predicting who will take home the top honors.
Here’s an analysis of the most outstanding players:Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): The National League MVP and author of memorable performances, including six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and three home runs in the decisive game of the National League Championship Series.Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays): Despite bad luck in the game, he had an outstanding regular season and has been on fire in the playoffs, leading the players in most of the important offensive categories.George Springer (Blue Jays): He led the Jays in WAR in the regular season and has performed great in the postseason. His iconic home run in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series will be remembered.Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers): He was the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher in the regular season and one of the top five pitchers in baseball.Blake Snell (Dodgers): He returned from an injury and is at the peak of his career, with an ERA of 0.86 in three playoff starts.Mookie Betts (Dodgers): A future Hall of Famer, at 33 years old he is still an impact player.Freddie Freeman (Dodgers): One of the most consistent hitters of this era, always performs and has playoff experience.Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays): He was the second-best catcher in the league this year, behind Cal Raleigh, but he is not a big star due to his ability to get on base and his good handling of pitches.Max Muncy (Dodgers): Surprisingly solid as a baserunner and defender at third base, he has always been a dangerous hitter.Tyler Glasnow (Dodgers): Although he has given up more walks, he continues to strike out many batters and induce weak contact in his current streak.Will Smith (Dodgers): Although he hasn’t been very good offensively in the playoffs, he had the third-best WAR among catchers in the majors this season.Ernie Clement (Blue Jays): He had a solid season with 3.2 WAR, driven primarily by contact and defense, but he has stepped up in the postseason, batting .429 with very little luck in the game.Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays): Average across the board, but not truly elite at anything. Missed time with shoulder and hamstring issues this year, but was on pace for a 4 WAR season.Kevin Gausman (Blue Jays): He had the tenth-best WAR among pitchers in baseball this season, but he has one of the lowest pitch speeds among pitchers in that range and has been hit hard in the playoffs.Tommy Edman (Dodgers): A good defender at almost any position, but had unlucky game results in the regular season. That luck has changed in the playoffs.Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays): His splitter has baffled hitters in his six big league appearances.Bo Bichette (Blue Jays): He could return to the Jays’ lineup for the World Series, but he has been out for the last six weeks due to a knee injury.Addison Barger (Blue Jays): Defensively usable in multiple positions and became an above-average hitter this year, mainly due to his power.Andy Pages (Dodgers): A standout hitter and defender in the regular season, with a .272 average, 24 home runs, and solid defense in center field.Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers): He hit for power in the regular season (25 home runs) but didn’t get many walks or stand out defensively. In this postseason, he has been hitting for more power.
Superlatives
Fastest World Series Launch: Roki SasakiBest breaking pitch: Emmet Sheehan’s sliderBest speed/splitter change: Yesavage’s splitterMore punches: SnellStrongest hit: GuerreroHigher sprint speed: ClementBatter with the most hits: GuerreroBest defender: Kirk
