2025 World Series Game 1 Thread: Oct 24 @ Blue Jays, 5p

Hey look, a cursive logo! How retro!

Blake Snell vs. Trey Yesavage.

The long break for the Dodgers gave the opportunity for the media to trial balloon a ton of different narratives for the 2025 World Series.

Shohei Ohtani, as the one who got away from Toronto (and now, the Blue Jays (in jest) want him to return the gifts it gave him during the interview process). Mookie Betts, emerging in the World Series one year later, as a Gold Glove Finalist at a brand new position. The Dodgers as MLB's villain, the new evil empire who is ruining baseball.

But the narrative I see tonight is one of redemption, which could craft new chapters for two Dodgers looking to change their stories.

For Blake Snell, tonight's start will make his first appearance in the World Series since his fateful and early exit from the 2020 World Series Game 6. With only 73 pitches and two hits through 5.1 IP, Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled Snell rather than have him face the Dodgers' lineup a third time (which was, statistically, a difficulty for Snell). The Dodgers feasted from there, and ended up winning the 2020 World Series in that game.

In the 2025 NLCS vs. Milwaukee, Blake Snell opened up the series and went eight strong scoreless innings, with 10 Ks.

Tonight is a chance for two-time Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell to show the world, on the biggest stage, that he can gut through the lineup a third time.

In the Dodgers' 2024 World Series Championship run, Shohei Ohtani was caught stealing in Game 2 of the 2024 World Series, and the awkward landing had him suffer a shoulder subluxation which impaired his ability to contribute for the rest of the World Series.

This 2025 postseason, Ohtani was largely absent from and lost at the plate, following NLWC Game 1 against the Reds (two HR)...until NLCS Game 4 against the Brewers, where Ohtani put on the best sporting performance ever, from both the plate (3 HR) and the mound (10 Ks).

Tonight is a chance for three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani to show the world, on the biggest stage, the majesty of his offensive power.

Also, I am not buying into the narrative about the Dodgers being heavy favorites on this one. It's certainly not a David vs. Goliath story, not with the Blue Jays owning the fifth-highest payroll in the majors; the beasts in their offensive lineup; or the fact that they have all of Canada behind them (and probably most of America, as well).

Not to mention, tonight's Blue Jays starter, Trey Yesavage, has torn through the playoffs (22 Ks over three starts), and the Dodgers don't tend to perform well against pitchers we've never seen.

This is going to be a dogfight. Game 1 at Rogers Centre is important.

LET'S GO, DODGERS!!!!!