The 2025 World Series has been a captivating contest so far, featuring two games at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. As the series moves to Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium for Game 3, the Dodgers and Blue Jays are seeking to establish dominance. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the Dodgers can harness the advantages of home-field play or if the Blue Jays will reclaim the lead.
Key Performers of the Series
Performance has varied among players from both teams, impacting the early trajectory of the series.
- Addison Barger: Notable for his grand slam in Game 1, earning him praise in Canada.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Dominated in Game 2, achieving a rare feat of consecutive complete games in postseason history.
- Will Smith: Contributed with a go-ahead homer in Game 2, showing resilience despite recovering from injuries.
- Alejandro Kirk: Provided excellent defense and solid offense in Game 1.
Challenges for the Dodgers
Despite Yamamoto’s stellar performance, the Dodgers face several hurdles. Their offensive stars, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, have underperformed significantly, combining for a meager batting average in the postseason. Ohtani has shown flashes of brilliance with home runs but struggles persist throughout his at-bats. The overall batting average stands at .216 since the wild-card round, significantly lower than their regular season average of 5.1 runs per game.
Blue Jays’ Resilience
On the other hand, the Blue Jays have shown unexpected strength from their bullpen, dispelling doubts about its reliability. Over two games, they allowed only four runs while exhibiting commendable defense. Their strategy relies heavily on maintaining solid communication and teamwork, especially as they seek to replicate their offensive success from Game 1, where they managed to exhaust Dodgers’ pitchers early by forcing Blake Snell into a high pitch count.
Looking Ahead to Game 3
The upcoming matchup will feature starting pitchers Max Scherzer for the Dodgers and Tyler Glasnow for the Blue Jays. Glasnow has thrived in playoff performances at home, while Scherzer aims for a successful return to postseason action in Los Angeles.
Predictions and Strategies
For the Dodgers to take control in Game 3, their starting pitchers must pitch deep into the game. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are expected to keep the pressure on with their aggressive hitting approach. Both teams will need to exploit their respective strengths, whether it’s Glasnow’s curveball or the Dodgers’ return to offensive form.
Conclusion
The series remains finely balanced, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance nested within struggles. The next games at Dodger Stadium could determine the future of the 2025 World Series, making every play pivotal.
