TORONTO (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up to face the Toronto Blue Jays in a highly anticipated showdown as they aim to secure a championship title for the second consecutive year. This year’s World Series marks a significant return to Canadian soil, the first time in over three decades. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday in Toronto, and for those who weren't fortunate enough to snag a ticket, we have compiled a list of top spots to watch the Boys in Blue as recommended by the ABC7 team.
Stay tuned to Eyewitness News throughout the day, where Rob Fukuzaki, Tony Cabrera, and Marc Cota-Robles will provide real-time updates from Toronto. On Thursday, the Dodgers announced that pitcher Alex Vesia would be stepping away from the team due to a deeply personal family matter, adding to the emotional weight of this championship run.
Los Angeles is making history as the first defending champion to reach the World Series since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies, who faced defeat against the New York Yankees. Notably, no team has managed to secure consecutive titles since the New York Yankees accomplished the feat three times in a row from 1998 to 2000. The last National League team to achieve consecutive championships was the Cincinnati Reds, known as the Big Red Machine, in 1975-76.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider emphasized that despite the Dodgers' impressive record, they are a beatable team. “That is a beatable baseball team that has its flaws, and that has its really, really good strengths. How we expose each of them will determine who wins the series,” he stated, highlighting the competitive spirit of this matchup.
The Dodgers have shown exceptional performance in the postseason, boasting a 9-1 record despite starting every series on the road. With a stellar lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, along with a formidable pitching roster that includes Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Freeman reflected on the significance of their current streak, saying, “Just to win once is hard and now be this close to being able to do it two times in a row... that means the organization's doing a really, really good job.”
As Game 1 approaches, Dodger fans, including many Canadians, gathered outside the Rogers Centre in Toronto, expressing their optimism for the Boys in Blue. Canadian fan Joshua Mirecki shared his excitement, stating, “Blake (Snell's) going to do an amazing job, going to give it his all, and I'm so happy to be here.” Another fan, Rubi Lopez, expressed her enthusiasm, saying it was her first time seeing the Dodgers and that she’s looking forward to a back-to-back championship.
The last time the World Series was held outside of the United States was in 1993 when Toronto clinched its second consecutive title, marking a historic moment in baseball history. Joe Carter’s iconic ninth-inning homer off Philadelphia's Mitch Williams in Game 6 is still a celebrated memory for fans. Since then, the Blue Jays have stood as Canada’s sole Major League Baseball team following the relocation of the Montreal Expos in 2005.
In a show of support, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the Blue Jays’ batting practice. Trey Yesavage, the 22-year-old pitcher who is set to open the Series for Toronto, stated, “We represent this entire country, and we want to do everything we can to make this country proud of us.”
In preparation for the game, Shohei Ohtani took batting practice on the field, showcasing his impressive hitting skills. Despite a recent slump, Ohtani’s previous performance included a three-homer game, indicating his potential to turn things around. Meanwhile, Blake Snell is making his first Series appearance since 2020 and reflects on his growth as a player since then, emphasizing the lessons learned from past experiences.
Historically, teams coming off seven-game series have won against teams that swept their opponents, indicating a potential disadvantage for the Blue Jays, who recently completed a shorter playoff run. Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. enters the postseason hitting .442 with six homers and 12 RBIs in 11 games, making him a key player to watch.
The excitement surrounding this World Series is palpable, as the Dodgers and Blue Jays prepare for what promises to be a thrilling matchup. Be sure to catch all the action and updates as the series unfolds.
