The 2025 World Series changed everything. Before that seven-game heart-stopper, a matchup between the LA Dodgers vs Blue Jays felt like a cross-continent novelty—a quirky scheduling blip where National League royalty met Canada’s only team. Now? It's personal.
Most fans still think of this as a lopsided history where the Dodgers usually bully the Jays. Honestly, they’re wrong. While the Dodgers have that massive payroll and a Hollywood spotlight that never shuts off, Toronto has spent the last two years proving they aren’t just "happy to be there." If you watched Game 7 in November 2025, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Yoshinobu Yamamoto coming out of the bullpen on zero days' rest to shut the door? That’s the stuff of legends.
The World Series That Reframed Everything
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The 2025 Fall Classic was a total chaotic mess in the best way possible. You had Shohei Ohtani trying to pitch on two days of rest in Game 7, which, looking back, was probably a massive mistake by Dave Roberts. Ohtani was gassed. He was spraying the ball everywhere, and Bo Bichette—playing on a bum knee that looked like it was held together by tape and prayers—absolutely smoked a three-run homer off him in the third inning.
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Toronto led 3-0. The Rogers Centre was vibrating. But then the Dodgers did that thing they do. They just... grind you down.
- Yamamoto's Iron Man Run: He threw a complete game in Game 2, then threw six innings in Game 6, and then recorded the final eight outs of Game 7.
- The Teoscar Factor: Seeing Teoscar Hernandez crush his former team throughout the series was brutal for Jays fans. He put up a four-hit game in Game 3 that basically swung the momentum back to LA.
- Vladdy’s Ascension: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was hitting over .440 in the postseason. He treated Ohtani’s sweeper like a batting practice toss.
The Dodgers eventually won 5-4 in 11 innings to repeat as champs. But the "little brother" narrative for Toronto? That died in the dirt that night.
LA Dodgers vs Blue Jays: The Historical Reality
If you look at the all-time record, the Dodgers hold a 19-11 edge. That sounds dominant, but interleague play is weird. These teams don't see each other enough for the stats to tell the whole story.
The real friction started back in April 2024. People forget that Shohei Ohtani's first trip to Toronto as a Dodger was basically a villain origin story. The boos were deafening because of the whole "private jet to Toronto" rumor that turned out to be a total hoax during his free agency.
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That series set the tone. The Blue Jays took the finale 3-1, proving they could stifle the highest-paid lineup in history. They've always played the Dodgers tough at the Rogers Centre. It’s a different vibe up there—the turf is faster, the lights feel different, and the crowd gets genuinely hostile when the "Boys in Blue" from the West Coast roll in.
Breaking Down the Matchup (Position by Position)
In 2025, the gap between these rosters was razor-thin.
Catcher: Most people take Will Smith every day of the week. But Alejandro Kirk? The dude is a defensive wizard. In 2025, Kirk had 9 defensive runs saved. Smith is the better hitter, sure, but Kirk’s ability to handle a pitching staff is why the Jays stayed in that World Series until the 11th inning of the final game.
First Base: This is the heavyweight fight. Freddie Freeman vs. Vladdy Jr. Freeman is the steady veteran who never gives away an at-bat. Vladdy is the lightning bolt. In the 2025 regular season, their stats were almost identical:
- Freeman: .295 AVG, 24 HR, 90 RBI
- Guerrero Jr.: .292 AVG, 23 HR, 84 RBI
But in the playoffs? Vladdy turned into a different human being. He was slashing .442/.510/.930. Honestly, if the Jays had won that series, he’s the unanimous MVP.
What to Watch for in 2026
We don't have to wait long for the rematch. The 2026 schedule is already out, and the Dodgers are headed back to the 6ix early.
Upcoming Series Dates:
- Monday, April 6, 2026 @ Rogers Centre
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026 @ Rogers Centre
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026 @ Rogers Centre
Tickets are already moving fast on SeatGeek, with some nosebleeds starting around 59 bucks. Expect the atmosphere to be toxic—in a fun, competitive way. Toronto fans haven't forgotten how close they came to that trophy.
The Pitching Chess Match
The weirdest part of the LA Dodgers vs Blue Jays dynamic is how they handle their rotations. The Dodgers are the kings of "bullpenning" and pitch counts. They pulled Ohtani in the 7th inning of Game 4 when he was rolling, and it nearly cost them.
The Blue Jays are more old-school. They let their guys go. Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios are the types who want to see the lineup a third time. In 2026, keep an eye on how the Jays' younger arms, like some of the guys coming up from Buffalo, handle the pressure of facing Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Surprising Details Nobody Mentions
Everyone talks about the stars, but the LA Dodgers vs Blue Jays games are often decided by the "scrappers."
Basically, Tommy Edman has been a thorn in Toronto's side since the Dodgers picked him up. He doesn't hit the 450-foot bombs, but he’ll slap a double down the line on a 0-2 count and ruin a pitcher's afternoon. On the flip side, Ernie Clement has become a cult hero in Toronto for doing the exact same thing to LA.
Also, can we talk about the travel? Flying from LA to Toronto is a brutal five-hour-plus flight that crosses three time zones. The Dodgers often look "flat" in the first game of these series. If you’re a betting person, the Jays on the moneyline for the series opener is usually a smart play.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on catching these games or following the season, here is how to stay ahead:
- Track the Turf: The Rogers Centre turf is notorious for being hard on veteran knees. Watch for the Dodgers to rest guys like Max Muncy or even Freeman for at least one game in a three-game set to avoid injury.
- The Ohtani Factor: Since his 2025 surgery recovery, his pitching usage is strictly monitored. He likely won't start in Toronto in April 2026 due to the cold weather and early-season precautions.
- Watch the Bullpen Usage: The Dodgers burnt their pen to a crisp in the World Series. Their early 2026 performance will depend heavily on whether their middle relief guys (like Anthony Banda and Alex Vesia) have recovered their velocity.
- Check the Statcast: In the 2025 series, the Jays actually had a higher "Expected Batting Average" (xBA) than the Dodgers in four out of seven games. They were hitting the ball hard; it just wasn't falling. Don't let the final scores fool you—the talent gap is gone.
The LA Dodgers vs Blue Jays rivalry isn't just a random interleague matchup anymore. It's a legitimate heavyweight bout. Whether you're at Chavez Ravine or the Rogers Centre, these two teams represent the absolute ceiling of what modern baseball looks like.
Keep an eye on the April 2026 series. It’s going to set the tone for the entire year, and if we're lucky, it’s a preview of the next October. To get ready, start tracking the spring training velocities of the Dodgers' staff, as their health is the only thing that could potentially hold them back from a three-peat. On the Toronto side, watch Vladdy’s contract situation. If he’s playing for a new deal, the rest of the league is in serious trouble.