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3 Dodgers X-factors the Blue Jays will need to contain in the World Series

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are a well-rounded powerhouse, matching up evenly with the Toronto Blue Jays.

From top to bottom, their lineup and rotation are built for October baseball. Here are the key Dodgers players Toronto needs to pay close attention to in the 2025 World Series.

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is not a player to take lightly; fans across the globe know that. Simply put, he crushes the baseball—hitting it harder and farther than anyone else. This season, Ohtani launched 55 home runs and has added six more this postseason, including last night against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The two-way superstar also leads off for the Dodgers, making the top of the lineup extremely difficult to pitch to. Ohtani covers nearly every part of the strike zone, leaving little room for error. His clutch hitting and elite barrel control make him a constant threat. Ohtani should be treated with the same level of caution as Aaron Judge or Cal Raleigh. The challenge is that pitching around him only sets the table for other Dodgers stars like Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman.

While he isn’t producing at the elite rate fans are used to seeing during the regular season (.222/.340/.667), he proved last night that he can change the momentum in a game with just one swing of the bat.

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Ohtani has also contributed on the mound this postseason. Serving as the Dodgers’ fourth starter, he’s thrown 12 innings over two starts with a 2.25 ERA. His deep repertoire and high-velocity arsenal give the Dodgers another dangerous weapon.

Of the Dodgers’ six hits last night, Ohtani had one of them and two RBIs while walking once, with the Japanese product a base-stealing threat when he reaches. He will need to be contained if the Jays are going to be successful this postseason.

Teoscar Hernández

Former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández returns to a ballpark and batter’s box he knows well. Now a key piece of the Dodgers’ lineup, Hernández typically hits in the fifth or sixth spot and has been instrumental in their postseason run.

Hernández’s aggressive approach, strong plate coverage, and excellent pitch recognition make him a serious threat—especially with runners on base. During the regular season, he tallied 126 hits, 25 home runs, and 89 RBIs.

He’s continued that success in October, posting 11 RBIs, 11 hits, four home runs, and a .268 batting average so far this postseason. With his ability to hit the ball hard and far, and his familiarity with the Rogers Centre ballpark, Hernández is one bat that the Jays’ pitching staff will need to keep silent.

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Roki Sasaki

If the Blue Jays find themselves trailing in the ninth inning, they’ll have to deal with Roki Sasaki. Fans may remember the Japanese product all too well from this past offseason, where he decided to sign with the Dodgers over the Jays.

Once projected to be a full-time starter, Sasaki’s season was derailed by injury. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts found a new role for him in the bullpen—and it’s paid off. Sasaki has quickly emerged as the Dodgers’ new closer, pitching eight innings across seven appearances this postseason. He’s recorded six strikeouts, three saves, and a 1.13 ERA.

Sasaki relies on a 96–97 mph four-seam fastball, complemented by a sharp splitter and slider that serve as put-away pitches. While not overpowering, his ability to induce weak contact makes him a dangerous late-inning arm.

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