Here are three things to watch for in Game 1 later today:
1. Blue Jays roster decisions:
As Blue Jays finalize World Series roster, the biggest question facing the club is what will happen to star shortstop Beau Bichette. Bichette has been sidelined since the regular season due to a strained PCL but looks set to make a dramatic return. Bichette himself said after the American League game that he would be ready to play tonight, and head coach John Schneider said in a media interview yesterday that a return is very likely. Of course, it’s up to Toronto’s medical staff whether he is cleared to play after yesterday’s practice.
If Bichette does make the roster, there probably won’t be any reliance on him or forcing him at shortstop George Springer Once in DH territory, Bichette could get some starts at second base to ease his return to defensive duties in games. Regardless, Andres Jimenez is a solid defender at shortstop and has filled in nicely in his absence.
2. Dodgers roster decisions:
Ahead of today’s full roster announcement, the Dodgers have announced a major roster decision: Clayton Kershaw Will be on the Club World Series roster. The decision came after Kershaw struggled in the National League, was left off the wild-card roster, and did not appear in the National League. Given that this World Series will be the final game of Kershaw’s career, it will be interesting to see whether the Dodgers can find the right opportunity to provide their future Hall of Famer with a proper send-off on their way to becoming the first team to defend the World Series since the Yankees in 2000.
Beyond Kershaw, there’s another question: Tanner Scott After undergoing minor surgery on his lower body, he will be removed from the NLDS roster and will be ineligible for the NLCS roster so he will be able to make the club’s World Series roster. Scott is having a rough year in 2025, but is not far off from becoming one of the most dominant relievers in the game.
3. Game 1 and Game 2 preview:
The first two games of the World Series are this weekend in Toronto. The first of the two games is scheduled for 8pm local time. Tonight’s first game will be Trey Yesavich (3.21 ERA) Blue Jays vs. Dodgers southpaw on mound Blake Snell (2.35 ERA). Snell dominated the postseason with an 0.86 ERA and 28 strikeouts in three starts, but Jesavage impressed with a 4.20 postseason ERA. He struck out 11 Yankees in 5 1/3 hitless innings during the ALDS, and the Mariners chased him in Game 2 of the ALCS, but he bounced back in Game 6, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven.
In Game 2, the Dodgers will field Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.49 ERA) to the mound opposite the Blue Jays’ yet-to-be-named starting pitcher. Kevin Gausman He will likely start after coming off the bench in Game 7 of the ALCS. Regardless of who he ends up facing, Yamamoto will be dominant against the Brewers, allowing just one run and walking seven.
