Dodgers and Blue Jays talk about what makes Shohei Ohtani a special player
USA TODAY Sports interviewed members of the Dodgers and Blue Jays ahead of the World Series to discuss Shohi Ohtani’s unique talent.
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TORONTO – Yoshinobu Yamamoto is only in his second season in the major leagues, but he’s already carved out an important place in the Los Angeles Dodgers world.
He’s their safe haven, the guy they can rely on to get them out of sticky situations, whether it’s winning a decisive Game 5 of the 2024 National League Division Series to extend their season or winning five of the six games he’s started in the playoffs.
In Game 2 of the World Series, they won’t be asked to protect their chance to win a World Series again. But the Dodgers also know it will be difficult to climb out of a 2-0 hole against the stifling Toronto Blue Jays. That’s his mission as he wraps up the first leg of the Fall Classic at Rogers Center against veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman.
The Blue Jays had 14 hits in Game 1 and won 11-4. When the series moves to Los Angeles, they will be eager to take command, given the possibility of an extended bullpen given the rotation and three-day game situation.
But first, Yamamoto wants to tame the red-hot offense.
“This is an aggressive team,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Game 2. Yamamoto has multiple ways to access the hitting zone.
“It’s a game of cat and mouse. It’s a game within a game.”
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TORONTO – The legends are back in action and the atmosphere at the Rogers Center is full of excitement. And on the field, Game 2 of the World Series has a hand-to-hand feel.
For the second night in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers took the lead, taking a 1-0 lead after the first inning on Will Smith’s RBI hit by Kevin Guzman.
But while the Dodgers scored runs in the second and third innings of Game 1, a tense first inning in which Blake Snell threw 29 pitches ended up bothering them.
So far, the scenario has held true for the second leg.
The Blue Jays had runners on first and third base with no outs, and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto got out of trouble with two strikeouts, but it took 23 pitches.
George Springer, who hit a double to lead off the inning, and Vlaidimir Guerrero Jr. fouled off two pitches for two strikes, and Dalton Varsho struck out Yamamoto for a full count, ending the inning.
So the Dodgers drew first blood. But will it be another Pyrrhic victory?
In the top of the first inning, after Freddie Freeman hit a two-out double against Kevin Guzman, Dodgers catcher Will Smith singled to center field for the first run of the game.
Freeman’s eighth pitch at bat resulted in a double, extending the inning and bringing All-Star Smith to the plate.
- Shohei Otani (L) DH
- Mookie Betts(R) SS
- Freddie Freeman (left) 1B
- Will Smith(R)C
- Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF
- Max Muncy (L) 3B
- Enrique Hernandez (R) LF
- Tommy Edman(S) 2B
- Andy Pages(R) CF
- George Springer (R) DH
- Nathan Rooks (left) LF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- Alejandro Kirk (R) C
- Dalton Varsho (left) CF
- Ernie Clement(R) 3B
- Addison Berger (L) RF
- Isaiah Kinner Children(R) 2B
- Andres Jimenez (left) SS
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a 2.82 ERA in seven postseason games, and a 1.83 ERA in three games in the 2025 playoffs. In his last appearance, the right-handed pitcher pitched a complete game in Game 2 of the National League CS, allowing just three hits, contributing to the Dodgers’ victory.
“He’s very focused right now. It’s going to be a fun night for him,” catcher Will Smith said before Game 2. “I have high expectations for him, as always.”
pitcher (12): LHP Anthony Banda, LHP Jack Dryer, RHP Tyler Glasnow, RHP Edgardo Henriquez, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Will Klein, RHP Loki Sasaki, RHP Emmett Sheehan, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Justin Robleski, RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Position, dual wielder (14): SS Mookie Betts, OF Alex Cole, OF Justin Dean, INF/OF Tommy Edman, 1B Freddie Freeman, INF/OF Quique Hernandez, OF Teoscar Hernandez, INF/OF Kim Hye-sung, 3B Max Muncy, DH/P Shohei Ohtani, OF Andy Pages, INF Miguel Rojas, C Ben Rotvedt, C Will Smith.
pitcher (12): RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Shane Bieber, RHP Seranthony Dominguez, RHP Braydon Fisher, LHP Mason Fluharty, RHP Kevin Guzman, RHP Jeff Hoffman, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Brendon Little, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Lewis Berland, RHP Trey Yesavage.
position player (14): C Tyler Heineman, C Alejandro Kirk, INF/OF Addison Berger, INF Beau Bichette, INF Ernie Clement, INF Ty France, INF Andres Jimenez, INF Vladimir Guerrero Jr., INF Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Nathan Rooks, OF Davis Schneider, OF George Springer, OF Miles Stroh, OF Dalton Varsho.
world series announcer
- Joe Davis, commentary
- John Smoltz, color commentary
- Rosenthal and Tom Verdolucci, dugout reporter
MLB has announced the umpires selected for this year’s World Series and the full schedule. Mark Wegner was appointed crew chief for the first time. This is his third World Series victory in his 25-year career.
The referee lineup for the second match is as follows:
- home plate: Adrian Johnson
- first base: John Tampain
- second base: Alan Porter (crew chief)
- third base:Adam Hamari
- left field: Jordan Baker
- light field:Will Little
- make a reservation: Mark Wegner
Bebe Rexha sings the American national anthem and Alessia Cara sings the Canadian national anthem before Game 2 in Toronto.
2025 World Series Schedule
- game 1: Blue Jays 11, Dodgers 4
- game 2: Saturday, October 25th, Toronto – 8pm ET, FOX
- Game 3: Monday, October 27th, Los Angeles – 8pm ET, FOX
- Game 4: Tuesday, October 28, Los Angeles – 8pm ET, FOX
- *Game 5: Wednesday, October 29th, Los Angeles – 8pm ET, FOX
- *Game 6: Friday, October 31st, Toronto – 8pm ET, FOX
- *Game 7: Saturday, November 1, Toronto – 8pm ET, FOX
World Series Winners (by year)
- 2024: Dodgers
- 2023: Rangers
- 2022: Astros
- 2021: Braves
- 2020: Dodgers
- 2019: Nationals
- 2018: Red Sox
- 2017: Astros
- 2016: Cubs
- 2015: Royals
- 2014: Giants
- 2013: Red Sox
- 2012: Giants
- 2011: Cardinals
- 2010: Giants
Right-hander Kevin Guzman will be Toronto’s starting pitcher for Game 2.
Gausman went 10-11 with a 3.59 ERA in the regular season, but pitched 18 innings in the playoffs with a 2.00 ERA.
How many World Series have the Dodgers won?
The Dodgers have won eight World Series championships in franchise history, one in Brooklyn and seven in Los Angeles.
- 1955 vs. Yankees
- 1959 vs. White Sox
- 1963 vs. Yankees
- 1965 vs. Twins
- 1981 vs. Yankees
- 1988 vs. Athletics
- 2020 vs. Rays
- 2024 vs. Yankees
Toronto won back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 (vs. Braves) and 1993 (vs. Phillies). This marks the only time in franchise history since its inception in 1977 that the club has advanced to the Fall Classic.
When did the Dodgers move to Los Angeles?
The Dodgers left Brooklyn after the 1957 season and played their first game in Los Angeles in 1958.
The Giants simultaneously left New York for San Francisco, bringing their historic rivalry to the West Coast.
Did Vladimir Guerrero win the World Series?
Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero has never won a World Series title, only appearing in the Fall Classic with the Texas Rangers in 2010, the penultimate of his 16-year MLB career.
The first pitch for Game 2 is scheduled. 8pm ET At the Rogers Center in Toronto.
