How Dodgers, Blue Jays players compare

The 2025 MLB postseason was electric and culminated in the World Series reckoning between Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. It’s truly a battle of the “worlds,” as both teams are loaded with superstars from across planet Earth, and the two teams even play their home games in different countries.

Just a year ago, there was talk that the Blue Jays might blow things up. Instead, they play on the biggest baseball stage in the world with a roster full of talent. The defending champion Dodgers are, of course, known for their seemingly limitless payroll, and that has led to a roster loaded with big-name megastars. With that said, check out the gallery to see the top 15 players playing in the Fall Classic.

15. Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers, CF

On a team full of big-name power hitters, Andy Pages was second on the Dodgers in home runs (27). The center fielder has struggled somewhat in the postseason, mostly because he doesn’t have much plate discipline. Pages had just 29 walks in 135 strikeouts in the regular season. He was responsible for the game-winning hit against the Philadelphia Phillies to advance to the NLCS.

14. Addison Barger, Toronto Blue Jays, LF

Addison Barger only made his debut last season and has quickly become a key player for Toronto. Barger had 21 home runs in the regular season, and has the versatility to play in the infield or outfield. With Bo Bichette back in the lineup, the Blue Jays will have some interesting lineup choices, but Barger’s bat has to be in the lineup.

13. Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays, 3B

In the same way that Tommy Edman was the Dodgers’ postseason darling during their championship run last year, the somewhat unheralded Ernie Clement has stepped up to become a playoff superstar for the Blue Jays this year. Clement is batting .429 in the postseason, a mark that trails only two players.

One player is Aaron Judge, arguably one of the best players in baseball, and the other is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – more on him later. Clement is also a versatile and impressive defender. He’s clearly on a hot streak, but will that streak continue against the best pitching staff in baseball?

12. Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays, SP

Although the Dodgers are known for their starting pitching unit, the Blue Jays also have a pretty good ace. Kevin Gausman doesn’t have nasty hitting stuff, but he is consistent in throwing strikes and managing his pitches. After pitching in relief in Game 7 of the ALCS, Gausman will not start Game 1 against LA. However, he will still be a big part of the rotation.

11. Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers, SP

The Dodgers have the luxury of having such a deep pitching staff that they can comfortably field four starters in the postseason. Tyler Glasnow may be considered the number four in that unit, but he would be an ace on a number of teams around the league. Glasnow has a 0.68 ERA in the postseason through three games, two of which he has started. And he can get out of the fence if he needs to

When the Dodgers won the World Series last year, they did so with a somewhat weak starting lineup, forcing the relievers to carry the load. This postseason is different, as four starting pitchers can pitch deep into games for Los Angeles.

10. Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays, C

Alejandro Kirk is only slightly behind the Dodgers’ catcher among the World Series’ best players. Still, he’s had some big moments on offense this postseason, and is highly regarded for his field framing and backstop ability.

9. Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers, C

Will Smith is one of the best catchers in baseball, which is why he’s signed to a contract that runs through 2033. He just narrowly gets the edge over Kirk here. Smith has a .901 OPS, hangs around 20 homers each season, and has come close to surpassing the .300 batting average this year. All of those stats are spectacular at a physically demanding position like catcher.

If Cal Raleigh didn’t have by far the best catcher season ever, there would be a lot more talk about how good both Kirk and Smith were this season. These World Series teams show the importance of having a catcher, and teams that didn’t make the World Series will surely try to play a replica in the future.

8. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers, SS

Mookie Betts doesn’t have the elite power he had during his prime, but he’s still one of them the best MLB players out there. He proved himself in the World Series last year and will likely do so again this year. Betts’ career progression has been interesting, as he transitioned to shorts from the outfield late in his career. Normally, the opposite transition would be more likely. It just goes to show the versatile ballplayer that Betts is.

While the numbers aren’t as silly as they once were for Betts, he still had them second best WAR during the regular season among Dodgers position players.

7. Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays, SS

Bo Bichette has missed the entire postseason so far, and the Blue Jays have thrived without him. Rusting and changing what works is a concern, but given the reports it suggests so Bichet will be good going into the World Serieshe is too good not to be included in the lineup.

After all, Bichette was leading the American League in hits before his late-season injury. With a .311 batting average this year, Bichette is just the type of player who could provide the boost to carry the Blue Jays over the top. Only time will tell if he rejoins the team with great care or if he needs some time to get his feet wet.

6. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B

Freddie Freeman has nine All-Star honors and an MVP. And the 36-year-old is still going strong. No one would be surprised if Freeman won the World Series MVP for the second season in a row. He had a World Series record 12 RBI last year, which included home runs in four straight games and a walk-off grand slam.

5. Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers, SP

When Blake Snell plays, he is one of the most unstoppable pitchers in baseball. Although long-term consistency has often eluded Snell, he has two Cy Youngs to his name, and is currently playing some of his best baseball. Snell missed most of the 2025 season but has a 0.86 ERA in the postseason.

Snell’s velocity is up and his breaking balls have tons of momentum. His command isn’t always there, but it is right now, making him nearly impossible to get hits on.

4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers, SP

Snell, Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani drew a lot of attention and praise for their abilities on the mound during the postseason, but it was Yoshinobu Yamamoto who kept the Dodgers and their pitching staff afloat during the regular season when the unit as a whole was riddled with injuries and struggles.

Yamamoto made 30 starts and pitched to a 2.49 ERA en route to an All-Star nod. He didn’t have a great rookie season, but lived up to the hype in his second year.

3. George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays, DH

George Springer brought the championship pedigree he acquired with the Houston Astros to Toronto. Springer has always been a great hitter, but this season he has taken his contact ability to new heights. His .309 batting average and .399 on-base percentage were career highs by a wide margin.

Springer also had 32 home runs in the regular season and has already hit four in the postseason. His three-run home run in Game 7 of the ALCS was the highlight of a career full of big moments.

2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays, 1B

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a really good regular season after being paid well. Somehow he got much, much better in the playoffs. Baseball’s top player in the postseason this year has a .442 batting average, six home runs and 12 RBI. He is on base 51% of the time through 11 games. Guerrero won the ALCS MVP, and showed no signs of slowing down.

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, SP/DH

Shohei Ohtani is not only the best player in baseball, he has quickly established himself as one of the the best players in MLB history. It’s well known that what Ohtani is doing as a two-way player is unprecedented, but there is no stat line that better demonstrates the kind of player Ohtani is than his performance in Game 4 of the NLCS.

Ohtani took the mound and struck out 10 batters in six scoreless innings. He also went 3-for-3 with three home runs as a hitter. Ohtani won the NLCS MVP after what was one of the greatest performances in MLB history. The only member of the 50 home run-50 stolen base club will likely win the NL MVP again as well.