Initial Impressions of the 2025 League Championship Series
After two exciting games in both 2025 League Championship Series (LCS), it’s time to analyze the first impressions based on what we’ve seen on the field. The [Seattle Mariners](/mlb/team/_/name/sea/seattle-mariners) head home with a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), after defeating the [Toronto Blue Jays](/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays) on consecutive days.
In the National League Championship Series (NLCS), the current champions, the [Los Angeles Dodgers](/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers), have also taken a 2-0 lead as visitors against the [Milwaukee Brewers](/mlb/team/_/name/mil/milwaukee-brewers). What has stood out so far and what does the future hold for World Series hopefuls? Our Alofoke Deportes experts analyze.ALCS: Mariners vs. Blue Jays
What has surprised you the most so far?The biggest surprise has been the ability of Seattle’s pitching staff to maintain its level, despite the wear and tear of the Divisional Series. The starter of the first game, Bryce Miller, set the tone, recovering from a complicated first inning to pitch six crucial innings. The bullpen shone in the second game, with Eduard Bazardo, Carlos Vargas, and Emerson Hancock pitching two scoreless innings each.
Jorge Castillo
With only four runs scored in two games, it will be difficult to compete against a lineup as solid as the Mariners’.How can the Mariners secure victory at home?The Blue Jays’ lack of competitiveness at the plate. Despite the Mariners’ good pitching, the Blue Jays, who based their season’s success on a quality and patience approach, failed to adapt to Miller’s pitches in the first game and the second. Key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho haven’t gotten hits.
Jeff Passan
Home runs are key. The Mariners need to capitalize on their offensive power, especially at home. The Blue Jays allowed a large number of home runs during the regular season. If Seattle keeps hitting the ball, the Blue Jays’ chances of winning four of the next five games will be minimal.
Jorge Castillo
What can the Blue Jays do to bring the series back to Toronto?Avoid strikeouts. The Mariners have had too many strikeouts in the first two games, which diminishes their opportunities compared to Toronto. If Seattle keeps hitting home runs, this might not be a problem. Otherwise, putting the ball in play will be fundamental.
Jeff Passan
Score more runs. The Blue Jays’ offense needs to wake up. They have been silenced by the Mariners’ pitching. They need their bats to get active and generate runs from the first innings.
Jorge Castillo
The key for the Blue Jays is solid starting pitching and a bullpen to back it up. They must overcome Seattle’s good pitching.
Jeff Passan
NLCS:
What has caught your attention the most so far?The Dodgers’ excellent starting pitching. The Brewers’ hitters have been outmatched by the Los Angeles pitchers. The Brewers had a clear plan to attack Yamamoto, but it didn’t work.
Bradford Doolittle
What do the Dodgers need to do to close out the series at home?The Dodgers’ starting pitching has gone from uncertain to dominant in an instant. The key for the Dodgers is that their starters have been impeccable.
Jesse Rogers
Maintain the good level. The Los Angeles rotation has become the star of the postseason. The offense hasn’t always been up to par, but the team is in a great moment.
Bradford Doolittle
What do the Brewers need to bring the series back to Milwaukee?Keep pitching like they are and maybe get Ohtani to perform well at the plate. If he starts hitting well, the series won’t return to the Midwest. All indications point to the Dodgers winning the series.
Jesse Rogers
They need to put runners on base, especially early in the games. They should try to destabilize Glasnow and Ohtani, and get to the Los Angeles bullpen in the fourth or fifth inning.
Bradford Doolittle
They need to score runs. They need one of those Brewers’ innings, forcing the defense to make mistakes, taking advantage of their speed and skill on the bases to create chaos. If they can get into the Los Angeles bullpen, they’ll have a chance.
Jesse Rogers
