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World Series Roundtable: Expert Predictions, MVP Picks, X-Factors

The Dodgers and Blue Jays are set to face off as Los Angeles aims to become MLB’s first repeat champion since 2000. Here’s how our staff sees it playing out.

SI Staff

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, and Shohei Ohtani are set to lead their teams in the Fall Classic.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, and Shohei Ohtani are set to lead their teams in the Fall Classic. / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers opened this season with very different projections—truth be told, we picked Toronto to finish last in the AL East—and yet here we are with the Jays set to host the defending champion Dodgers to start the 2025 World Series.

Despite the Jays proving the doubters wrong and earning the American League’s No. 1 seed, while the Dodgers never truly kicked into second gear during the regular season en route to the NL’s No. 3 seed, Los Angeles is heavily favored to win a second straight title. The Dodgers marched through their side of the bracket with a 9–1 record, including a sweep over the Brewers in the NLCS, while the Blue Jays had to win two elimination games against the Mariners in the ALCS to return to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1993.

Can the Jays keep defying expectations or will the Dodgers become MLB’s first repeat champions since 2000? Below our staff makes our World Series picks, identifies x-factors and more.

1. What’s the biggest x-factor for the Dodgers to win?

Tom Verducci: Starting pitching. The Dodgers limited the Brewers to a .118 average in the NLCS, the lowest of any series of at least three games. They have a ton of swing-and-miss stuff, especially curveballs and changeups. The extra rest is even more helpful for max-effort pitchers this time of year. Please spare me the talk of rust. It is so overrated in today’s game.

Stephanie Apstein: Can the Dodgers’ bullpen hold on? This season, the team got 3.2 WAR (ninth in baseball) from its starting pitchers. From the bullpen it got -6.4 WAR, second-worst. That disparity has been magnified this postseason, as L.A. starters have a 1.40 ERA and L.A. relievers have a 4.88. Roki Sasaki’s emergence has plugged a major hole, but at some point, another reliever is going to have to get some outs.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning of a game.
Roki Sasaki has been a reliable force, but the Dodgers will need their starters to continue their dominance and other members of the bullpen to step up. / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Nick Selbe: If the Dodgers’ starting pitchers replicate what they did in the NLCS, this will be a short series. But if that group is merely very good rather than excellent, then Dave Roberts will need more than just one relief pitcher (Roki Sasaki) he trusts in high-leverage spots. For that reason, I’ll say one of Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen or Anthony Banda is the biggest x-factor for Los Angeles.

Will Laws: The bullpen beyond Roki Sasaki—especially now that top lefty Alex Vesia is away from the team to deal with a personal matter. Blake Treinen and Emmet Sheehan have combined to give up five runs on 11 hits and four walks in seven postseason innings. Anthony Banda and Jack Dreyer may have to step up in higher-leverage situations than they typically pitch in.

2. What's the biggest x-factor for the Blue Jays to win?

TV: Staying away from chase swings and hammering pitches when the Dodgers do come into the zone. Quality at-bats is their forte. The single most important matchup is the pitching staff with the second-lowest strikeout rate in MLB (and it’s up in the postseason) against the hitting group with the lowest strikeout rate in baseball. The Jays won the ALCS because they put the ball in play and turned over the lineup far better than Seattle. If they can do that here, they can wear down the Dodgers’ starters and have a path to victory, especially because Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage have the stuff to shut down the Dodgers.

SA: Can they get Shohei Ohtani out? Before Game 4 of the NLCS, postseason opponents had done a reasonable job of that, mostly by throwing lefties at him and making sure he almost never saw a reliever twice. But all the Blue Jays’ starters and all their best relievers are right-handed. It will be interesting to see if they can keep him quiet. 

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners.
Kevin Gausman and the rest of the Blue Jays’ staff will have their work cut out for them against the deep Dodgers’ lineup. / Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

NS: The Blue Jays got phenomenal production from the bottom third of their lineup during their ALCS triumph over Seattle. If guys like Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez and Addison Barger can stay hot, then Toronto will pose a much bigger threat to this Dodgers pitching staff than Milwaukee did.

WL: Perhaps an obvious one, but I’ll go with Bo Bichette. If he can manage to return from his injured knee and play second base in place of Isiah-Kiner Falefa, who’s been the closest thing to an automatic out in Toronto’s postseason lineup, the Jays’ lineup—which ranked fourth in MLB in wRC+ and runs scored—will be close to full strength.

3. Who, aside from overwhelming favorite Shohei Ohtani, do you like to be named World Series MVP?

TV: Blake Snell. The dude is on an all-time great postseason run. He’s fresh and he will be making his fourth straight start on at least five days of rest. He is leaning into his changeup much more this postseason, which seems unfair for a guy who has hasn’t yielded a hit with his past 57 curveballs and is throwing harder than he has all year.

SA: Is Vladdy Guerrero a less obvious pick? If the Blue Jays win, it will be because he did something insane. Or several somethings, more likely. And I think there’s a good chance of that. 

NS: In a Dodgers win, give me Teoscar Hernández. The former Blue Jay tends to make his hits count, as he has two game-tying or go-ahead homers this postseason. If the Blue Jays pull off the upset, a down-ballot candidate I like is Addison Barger, who’s gotten hot at the right time throughout the playoffs.

WL: Snell. Let’s say the Dodgers win in five, giving him two opportunities to pitch, and he performs similarly to how he has in his previous three playoff starts (21 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 28 K). If Los Angeles’s offensive production is fairly spread out, and/or Ohtani doesn’t star as a two-way player, the all-time leader in strikeout rate (11.2 K/9) will be in good position to claim MVP honors along with his first World Series ring.

Dodgers ace Blake Snell is having a historic playoff run and could get the opportunity to cement his all-time status with two starts in the World Series. / Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

4. Give a bold prediction for the series. 

TV: The first team to score three runs wins each game. Look for defense and baserunning to be highlighted in low-scoring, tight games.

SA: Ohtani has a better game than he did in Game 4 of the NLCS. That’s pretty bold, since it was the greatest game in the history of this and most other sports. But he’ll get to face some righties this series and he seems to have sorted something out at the plate. And because why not?

NS: Given how little faith the general baseball-viewing world seems to have in the Blue Jays, is it considered bold to say this series will last at least six games? The Dodgers have managed to get this far without having to lean on their shaky group of bullpen arms too much. I think Toronto’s lineup is deep enough to chase opposing starters earlier than the Brewers were able to, and will win at least a couple high-scoring games. 

WL: The Dodgers have averaged 2.8 runs allowed so far in these playoffs and have allowed a single run in each of their last five games. But I think the Blue Jays will score at least three runs in every game: Los Angeles is low on left-handed pitchers at the moment, and all of Toronto’s right-handed hitters are just about as good against same-handed pitchers as they are against southpaws (absent Ernie Clement, who should only start against lefties). The Jays led the league in batting average (.266) and on-base percentage (.332) against righties.

5. What's your winner pick?

TV: Dodgers in six.

SA: Dodgers in six. I just think they're deeper, and their starting pitching is going to balance out that leaky bullpen. 

NS: Dodgers in six.

WL: Dodgers in five. At full strength and firing on all cylinders, Los Angeles looks like the team we all imagined before the season.

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Daily Dinger: Best MLB Home Run Prop Bet Picks Today (Bet on Mookie Betts, George Springer)

Breaking down the best home run bets on the diamond for Game 1 of the World Series.

By Ryan Gilbert

Mookie Betts could hit his first home run of the postseason in Game 1.
Mookie Betts could hit his first home run of the postseason in Game 1. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays face off in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani lead their teams in home runs this postseason, and it’s easy to bet on them to go deep, but there are few other players with a handful of longballs as well.

At SI Betting, we share our favorite home run props for every day of the MLB season, and there are a pair of sluggers that I’m targeting tonight.

Here’s a complete breakdown of these home run props for Friday, Oct. 24.

Best MLB Home Run Prop Bet Picks for Friday, Oct. 24:

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Mookie Betts to Hit a Home Run (+546)
  • George Springer to Hit a Home Run (+582)

Mookie Betts to Hit a Home Run (+546)

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is third on the team with an .809 OPS this postseason but has yet to hit a home run. 

Betts is 12 for 41 in the playoffs with four doubles and a triple. He’s been seeing the ball well, and his last batted ball was a 391-foot flyout to center field. He hit that one 101.5 mph, and his flyout before that had a 100.1 mph exit velocity, but he got under it to left field.

Julio Rodriguez ambushed Trey Yesavage in his first start of the ALCS, and Betts could do the same here in the World Series. He’s had more than a few deep flyouts, and we’re getting a good price at over 5/1 on Friday night.

George Springer to Hit a Home Run (+582)

Guerrero Jr. is easy to bet on to go deep at +379, but I’m going with the man who played hero in Game 7.

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer has four home runs and five doubles among his 11 hits in 46 at bats this postseason for a .609 slugging percentage and .929 OPS. He’s been one of the Blue Jays’ most consistent bats and hits atop the order for Toronto.

Snell doesn’t allow many home runs, but Springer should get at least one or two at bats against the Dodgers bullpen, which has been up and down throughout the season.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Unlock $300 in bonus bets — all without a promo code for DraftKings. Sign up and place a $5 bet. If you win, you will receive $300 in bonus bets instantly +3 months of NBA League Pass.

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World Series MVP Odds: Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Favored Ahead of Game 1

Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are the early favorites for World Series MVP.

By Ryan Gilbert

Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win World Series MVP.
Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win World Series MVP. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The 2025 World Series is just a few days away.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made quick work of the Reds, Phillies, and Brewers to win the National League Pennant for a chance to defend their crown, while the Toronto Blue Jays overcame a 2-0 ALCS deficit to take down the Mariners in seven games.

Shohei Ohtani had one of the best games in baseball history in Game 4, and is the rightful favorite to win World Series MVP. But who else might take that trophy if the Dodgers win, and who is in line if the Blue Jays win it all?

Let’s take a look at the latest odds to be named the World Series MVP ahead of Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 24.

World Series MVP Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Shohei Ohtani: +180
  • Freddie Freeman: +900
  • Teoscar Hernandez: +1800
  • Blake Snell: +1800
  • Mookie Betts: +2000
  • Will Smith: +3000
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto: +3500
  • Max Muncy: +3500
  • Enrique Hernandez: +5000
  • Tyler Glasnow: +6000
  • Andy Pages: +8000

The World Series MVP is usually awarded to the team’s superstar, but that’s not always the case. Jeremy Pena won it back in 2022 for the Astros, Jorge Soler the year prior for the Braves, and who can forget Steve Pearce with the Red Sox in 2018.

In the last two years, though, it’s been Corey Seager – who also won it in 2020 with the Dodgers – and Freddie Freeman last year.

Ohtani is the easy pick at +180, but he’s not tabbed to pitch until at least Game 3 with Snell and Yamamoto starting the first two games on the road. He can do more than enough with the bat, but he was in a big slump prior to his trio of home runs in Game 4.

Betts leads the Dodgers with 12 hits in the playoffs, with both Enrique and Teoscar Hernandez at 11 knocks. 

Teoscar is interesting against his former team, but 18/1 is too short for my liking. I would take a stab at Betts at 20/1 as he bats toward the top of the order or Enrique Hernandez at 50/1 to come away with a Pena-like performance to win MVP on a star-studded team. 

World Series MVP Odds: Toronto Blue Jays

  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: +600
  • George Springer: +1000
  • Daulton Varsho: +3000
  • Alejandro Kirk: +3000
  • Nathan Lukes: +5000
  • Ernie Clement: +5000
  • Shane Bieber: +5000
  • Addison Barger: +6000
  • Kevin Gausman: +6000
  • Andres Gimenez: +7000
  • Max Scherzer: +10000

This is really a two-horse race between Guerrero Jr. and Springer. 

Guerrero Jr. leads all players with 19 hits in the playoffs, nine of which have gone for extra bases, including six home runs. Springer came up clutch in Game 7 and hits atop the order, where he is right behind Guerrero Jr. with four home runs.

Clement could be worth a longshot look at 50/1. He’s hitting .429 (18 for 42) in the playoffs with 10 runs scored and a 1.063 OPS.

For my money, if I were betting on a Blue Jays World Series MVP, I’d just go with Guerrero Jr. at 6/1 with maybe a small sprinkle on Clement.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Claim the latest DraftKings promo code offer today. Sign up and win your first $5 bet to get $300 in bonus bets instantly +3 months of NBA League Pass.

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Walk-Off Wagers: MLB Best Bets Today (Predictions for Blake Snell, World Series Game 1)

Breaking down the best bets on the diamond for World Series Game 1.

By Ryan Gilbert

Blake Snell is a good bet to go over his strikeouts prop in Game 1.
Blake Snell is a good bet to go over his strikeouts prop in Game 1. / Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The World Series is finally here.

The Toronto Blue Jays are giving the ball to rookie phenom Trey Yesavage in Game 1, while the Los Angeles Dodgers counter with Blake Snell. 

My best bets for today are targeting Snell to rack up the strikeouts and the Dodgers to open the series with a win.

Let’s get right into the best bets – and their odds at the best betting sites – for Friday, Oct. 24.

MLB Best Bets for Friday, Oct. 23

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Blake Snell OVER 6.5 Strikeouts (-103)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (-157) vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Blake Snell OVER 6.5 Strikeouts (-103)

Let’s get the downside of this bet out of the way first: the Blue Jays don’t strike out a lot. In fact, their 6.72 strikeouts per game is the lowest in the league this season.

But this isn’t just any other game. And this isn’t just any other pitcher.

Blake Snell has been dynamite for the Dodgers in the playoffs. He threw six shutout innings against the Reds before allowing two runs on three hits in the seventh. He finished that game with just four hits allowed and nine strikeouts in those seven innings.

Since then, Snell has racked up 19 more strikeouts in 14 innings while allowing just two hits. The southpaw made one start against the Blue Jays this season, striking out 10 in just five innings against Toronto.

I would ladder Snell up to 8+ Ks (+198), 9+ Ks (+394), and possibly even 10+ Ks (+790) to open the World Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers (-157) vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Snell has been terrific for the Dodgers in the playoffs, and they’ve had absolutely no problem winning on the road with wins in all four games.

Yesavage is a great story in Toronto, and he’s helped the Blue Jays to the World Series, but this Dodgers lineup is a different animal.

Since striking out 11 against the Yankees in his first start, Yesavage allowed five runs in four innings and two runs in 5.2 innings in his two starts against the Mariners.

The Dodgers are heavy favorites to win the series at -215, but we’re getting a price nearly 60 cents cheaper for Game 1. 

Los Angeles took two of three against the Blue Jays in August, outscoring Toronto 18-7 in the process. The Dodgers are healthy now and Shohei Ohtani is out of his slump. Bet LA in Game 1.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Register with DraftKings today and get $300 in bonus bets instantly +3 months of NBA League Pass if you win your first bet. Claim this DraftKings Sportsbook promo code offer by making a $5 deposit, applying your bonus token, and winning your first $5 wager.

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