As the 2025 World Series unfolds between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, while offenses have dominated the regular season, pitching has taken center stage in the playoffs. This deep dive ranks the top arms from both teams, revealing who is poised to make the biggest impact on the fall classic, from perennial Cy Young contenders to rookie sensations and bullpen workhorses.
The stage is set for an unprecedented clash in the 2025 World Series, featuring the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers against the surprising Toronto Blue Jays. On paper, this series looked destined for an offensive slugfest, with both teams ranking among MLB’s top four in runs per game during the regular season, according to Baseball-Reference. However, as the postseason has progressed, the narrative has shifted dramatically, highlighting the pivotal role of pitching.
The Dodgers, fresh off their 2024 World Series victory, have ridden a wave of spectacular starting pitching, boasting an impressive 2.45 ERA across their nine playoff wins. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, defying preseason expectations, have also leaned on strong mound performances, including a rookie who has logged more postseason innings than he did in the entire regular season. As we gear up for Game 1 at the Rogers Centre, the focus turns to the arms that could decide who hoists the Commissioner’s Trophy.
A Storied Matchup: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays History
The Dodgers arrive at their 23rd Fall Classic, aiming to become the first team since the New York Yankees (1998-2000) to win back-to-back championships. Despite being preseason favorites, injuries, particularly to their starting rotation, impacted their regular-season record, forcing them to navigate the Division Series and concede home-field advantage to Toronto. The Blue Jays’ presence is a genuine surprise. After a disappointing 2024 season and significant roster turnover, few anticipated their deep playoff run. Their resurgence, especially a hot streak in June, ignited Canadian baseball fans, who have waited over 30 years for a team from north of the border to return to the World Series, as noted by Baseball-Reference.
Legends on the Sidelines: Acknowledging Future Hall of Famers
Before diving into the active roster, it’s worth acknowledging two future first-ballot Hall of Famers whose contributions have been immense throughout their careers but are unlikely to play major roles in this specific series. The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer, both three-time Cy Young Award winners, embody pitching excellence. One of them will deservedly add another World Series ring, potentially capping off a stellar career.
Ranking the 2025 World Series Pitching Elite
Here’s a comprehensive ranking of the pitchers expected to make the biggest difference in the 2025 World Series, considering their regular-season form and crucial postseason performances:
12. Alex Vesia, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 4-2 record, 3.02 ERA, 5 saves, 1.1 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-0 record, 3.86 ERA in 7 appearances
As the Dodgers’ premier left-handed reliever, Alex Vesia is set to be a key factor, especially against left-handed bats like Nathan Lukes, Daulton Varsho, and Addison Barger. His ability to hold left-handers to a .159/.208/.290 slash line during the regular season demonstrates his effectiveness, though he also proved reliable against righties.
11. Louis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
- Regular Season: 4-3 record, 2.97 ERA, 1.7 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-1 record, 3.27 ERA in 10 appearances (1 start)
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins, Louis Varland has been a bullpen workhorse for the Blue Jays, appearing in 10 of their 11 postseason games. Despite showing some fatigue in the ALCS, the rest days before the World Series should refresh him. His 13 strikeouts to just one walk in 11 postseason innings highlight his valuable contribution.
10. Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 1-1 record, 4.46 ERA, 0.3 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0 record, 1.13 ERA, 3 saves in 7 appearances
Once a highly touted international free agent, Roki Sasaki’s season as a starter was initially underwhelming, leading to a demotion. However, a mechanical redesign transformed him into the Dodgers’ closer in late September. This miraculous turnaround, as noted by Yahoo Sports, has seen him allow only three hits in eight postseason innings with three saves, making him a formidable late-game weapon.
9. Jeff Hoffman, Toronto Blue Jays
- Regular Season: 9-7 record, 4.37 ERA, 0.5 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0 record, 1.23 ERA, 2 saves in 6 appearances
The Blue Jays’ closer, Jeff Hoffman, has impressively rebounded in October from an inconsistent regular season where home runs were an issue, allowing 15 in 68 innings. His improved postseason performance will be crucial against the Dodgers’ powerful offense in high-leverage situations.
8. Emmet Sheehan, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 6-3 record, 2.82 ERA, 1.0 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0 record, 10.80 ERA in 3 appearances
Emmet Sheehan offered crucial stability to the Dodgers’ rotation during the regular season, whether as a starter or a multi-inning reliever. With the return of star pitchers, he transitioned to an important relief role in the postseason. Though his playoff stats in 3 ⅓ innings aren’t stellar, he is expected to be an early bullpen option in critical moments.
7. Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays
- Regular Season: 4-2 record, 3.57 ERA, 0.7 WAR
- Playoffs: 1-0 record, 4.38 ERA in 3 starts
The Blue Jays gambled on acquiring Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians in July, hoping he would be healthy post-Tommy John surgery. Making his season debut in August, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner regained his pitch velocity and elite control. He has proven to be a solid No. 3 starter in the playoffs, a testament to his comeback.
6. Trey Yesavage, Toronto Blue Jays
- Regular Season: 1-0 record, 3.21 ERA, 0.3 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-1 record, 4.20 ERA in 3 starts
Trey Yesavage is the epitome of the Blue Jays’ surprise season. Starting in Low-A, this top pitching prospect rapidly ascended through the ranks, joining Toronto’s rotation by mid-September. The 22-year-old struck out 11 Yankees in his first postseason appearance and delivered a “gutty” 5 ⅔ innings against the Mariners to avoid elimination in Game 6 of the ALCS, a performance highlighted by Yahoo Sports.
5. Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 4-3 record, 3.19 ERA, 1.9 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0 record, 0.68 ERA in 3 appearances (2 starts)
Despite being sidelined for over two months with shoulder inflammation, Tyler Glasnow returned to the Dodgers’ rotation before the All-Star break, regaining his dominant form with a 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in his final 13 regular-season starts. His postseason has been equally impressive, including six scoreless frames in the NLDS clincher against the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s slated to start Game 3 of the World Series.
4. Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
- Regular Season: 10-11 record, 3.59 ERA, 3.8 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-1 record, 2.00 ERA in 4 appearances (3 starts)
Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays’ undisputed ace, logged a career-high 193 innings with a solid 3.59 ERA during the regular season. He was instrumental in their playoff run, securing a win in ALDS Game 1 and the decisive ALCS Game 7 in relief. His unique reverse splits, with a lower OPS against left-handed batters, make him a crucial weapon against the Dodgers’ potent left-handed hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
3. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 1-1 record, 2.87 ERA, 1.1 WAR (pitching only)
- Playoffs: 2-0 record, 2.25 ERA in 2 starts
After a season-long pitching hiatus in 2024 due to elbow surgery, Shohei Ohtani made his return to the mound in June 2025. He gradually built up his workload, finally throwing more than five innings in his last regular season start. In the postseason, he has delivered six-inning performances in both of his starts, including an “epic” NLCS Game 4 where he shut out the Brewers on two hits, struck out 10, and incredibly, hit three home runs, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Expect him to start Game 4.
2. Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 5-4 record, 2.35 ERA, 1.3 WAR
- Playoffs: 3-0 record, 0.86 ERA in 3 starts
The two-time Cy Young Award winner, Blake Snell, was limited to just 11 regular-season starts due to shoulder inflammation. However, he continued his pattern of late-season dominance, allowing only one earned run over his final 19 September innings. This momentum has carried into the playoffs, where he has been nearly unhittable, highlighted by eight scoreless, one-hit innings in the NLCS opener. He is the projected starter for World Series Game 1.
1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Regular Season: 12-8 record, 2.49 ERA, 5.0 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-1 record, 1.83 ERA in 3 starts
The toughest decision on this list, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto edges out Snell for the top spot due to his durability and consistent excellence throughout the entire season. He led all qualified starting pitchers in the majors with the fewest hits per nine innings (5.86) and the lowest opponents’ batting average (.183). His postseason highlight includes pitching the first complete game in eight years in NLCS Game 2, baffling the Brewers with just three hits. Yamamoto is slated to start Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 6, positions that could be decisive for the Dodgers.
The Pitching Battleground: Who Holds the Edge?
While both teams have potent offenses, the performance of their pitching staffs will ultimately dictate the outcome of the 2025 World Series. The Dodgers’ rotation, now healthy and firing on all cylinders, appears to have a slight edge in top-tier talent and postseason experience. However, the Blue Jays’ resilient bullpen and the emergence of unexpected stars like Trey Yesavage could provide the necessary depth to challenge Los Angeles. The fan community is abuzz with anticipation, dissecting every matchup and speculating on which arm will rise to the occasion to secure ultimate glory. This series promises to be a masterclass in pitching, a testament to the adage that good pitching beats good hitting any day.