The Toronto Blue Jays eliminated the Seattle Mariners for the right to play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series.
It completed a comeback after the Blue Jays lost each of the first two games at home to start the American League Championship Series in disappointing fashion. Toronto responded with back-to-back home wins in Games 6 and 7, which included a comeback effort in the winner-take-all matchup.
This marks the Blue Jays’ third World Series appearance in franchise history, and first since 1992-1993, when they captured back-to-back titles by defeating the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively.
This year’s Fall Classic starts at Rogers Centre on Friday, and shifts to Dodger Stadium for Games 3 and 4, and a fifth matchup if necessary.
2025: World Series Blue Jays reaction to playing Dodgers
John Schneider
While the Blue Jays finished as the No. 1 seed in the AL, they — like most other teams — are overshadowed a bit by the Dodgers. But getting an opportunity to face the defending World Series champion is something manager John Schneider is embracing.
“Yeah, man. I think to get to where you want to go, you got to beat the best,” Schneider began. “Whether it’s talent, payroll, whatever you want to call it, man, they’re a damn good team.
“We saw ’em three games and that’s it this year. But they got a Hall of Famers at the top of their lineup. You know what I mean? And they got really, really good starting pitching and really good relievers. So I truly think that the best two teams are left standing for a variety of different reasons, and I’ll never count my guys out of any series.
“It’s going to be fun. They’re going to be up for it. There’s going to be some big swings, and ebbs and flows in it, I’m sure. But I’m just thrilled for the guys that they get the opportunity.”
Schneider stopped short of calling the World Series a battle between the United States and Canada, but realizes how important the matchup is for Blue Jays fans north of the border.
“I know it will be the Blue Jays versus the Dodgers. That’s kind of how we’re going to look at it, knowing that we have a whole country behind us,” he explained.
“But I’m not quite sure how that will unfold. But I know that these guys in there know that they’re representing the country too.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who earned ALCS MVP honors, gave the Dodgers credit for all that they have accomplished thus far and said the Blue Jays are ready to put up a fight.
“I mean, for me, every game is a challenge, every series is a challenge,” Guerrero said through an interpreter. “I know they have great players. So do we. But on the field it’s when everything matters.”
Guerrero added there isn’t any extra stress on him and his Blue Jays teammates playing for the entire country of Canada.
“I mean, no pressure. No pressure at all,” Guerrero explained. “My father taught me it’s a dream come true to be here, right? So when you know you represent a country, you want to give everything you have for your country.
“I mean, you feel proud of it. You feel very proud of it, and you want to continue.”
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