News Summary
The Los Angeles Dodgers will defend their World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays in a highly anticipated matchup. With both teams boasting strong rosters, the Dodgers aim for back-to-back championships while the Blue Jays make their first World Series appearance since 1993. Postseason viewership is at an all-time high, reflecting baseball’s growing global appeal. Key players and intense competition are expected to capture the attention of fans worldwide as the series unfolds at Rogers Centre.
Toronto – The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to defend their World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. This matchup marks a significant moment for both franchises, particularly the Blue Jays, who have not reached the World Series since 1993.
Postseason viewership for Major League Baseball (MLB) is witnessing a remarkable surge, averaging 4.48 million viewers in the U.S., indicating a 13% increase from last year and making it the most-watched postseason since 2017. The American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 7 between the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners attracted a staggering 15.03 million viewers when accounting for Canadian audiences. It also achieved 9.03 million viewers across various FOX platforms in the U.S., making it the most-watched ALCS game since 2017 and setting a record as the most-watched Blue Jays game ever on Sportsnet in Canada with 6 million average viewers.
The entire ALCS had a combined average viewership of 9.39 million for the U.S. and Canada, representing a substantial 60% increase over the previous year’s average of 5.88 million. Similarly, the National League Championship Series (NLCS), in which the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers, recorded the most-watched series in Japan with 7.34 million average viewers, reflecting a 26% increase from the prior year. Key moments included NLCS Game 4, where Shohei Ohtani delivered a historic performance, recording three home runs and accumulating ten strikeouts; this game drew 10.26 million viewers in Japan, making it the second most-watched LCS game in that country.
MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. noted that the upcoming World Series will highlight the global appeal of baseball. The event will be broadcast in 203 countries and territories in 16 languages by 44 media partners. This World Series features rosters that include 13 internationally born players from eight different countries and territories. Notable international players on the Dodgers include Shohei Ohtani from Japan, Teoscar Hernández from the Dominican Republic, and Kiké Hernández from Puerto Rico. The Blue Jays’ roster features stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from Canada, Alejandro Kirk from Mexico, and Andrés Giménez from Venezuela.
The Dodgers enter the World Series as favorites, aiming to become the first team to achieve back-to-back titles since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000. Despite finishing as the third seed in the National League, the Dodgers are considered a strong contender due to their robust roster that excelled throughout the season. Their starting pitchers include Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom had standout performances in the NLCS.
The Blue Jays, having experienced a significant postseason run, overcame a two-game deficit against the Mariners to win the ALCS, showcasing their resilience and talent. Their lineup boasts key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, both of whom have made substantial contributions to their playoff success.
The full schedule for the World Series includes the potential for a Game 7 on November 1, with all games to be aired on FOX. This year’s World Series promises to be an exciting event for baseball fans, showcasing not only fierce competition on the field but also a growing global interest in the sport.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Ranking the Best MLB World Series Matchups Since 2000
- Wikipedia: World Series
- ESPN: Dodgers Strongly Favored to Win World Series
- Google Search: Los Angeles Dodgers
- CBS Sports: World Series Schedule 2025 Dodgers vs Blue Jays
- Google Scholar: MLB World Series
- MLB: Dodgers Starting Pitchers Healthy for World Series
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Blue Jays
- Bleacher Report: Maple Leafs and Raptors Adjust Schedules for World Series
- Google News: 2025 MLB World Series
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