The 2025 World Series, set to kick off on Friday, October 24, pits the Toronto Blue Jays against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a matchup that rekindles a bitter sting for Blue Jays fans, centered on the loss of Roki Sasaki to their opponents. The Dodgers swept the National League Championship Series (NLCS) 4-0 against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Blue Jays clinched the American League Championship Series (ALCS) 4-3 over the Seattle Mariners.
Yet, the spotlight falls on Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching phenom whose departure to the Dodgers has left Toronto reeling. On January 15, 2025, Sasaki broke the news himself via Instagram, signing with Los Angeles under international bonus pool restrictions for an estimated $120 million over six years. That Dodger blue again-parallels to Shohei Ohtani’s 2023 move-feels all too cruel for Blue Jays faithful.
Sasaki’s decision was a gut punch for Toronto. The Blue Jays, alongside the San Diego Padres, were finalists in his pursuit, with a reported visit to the city a week before, but hours before his announcement, Toronto traded with the Cleveland Guardians, acquiring $2 million in international bonus pool money and taking on Myles Straw’s contract. This bold move signaled their intent, but Sasaki chose the Dodgers.
Roki Sasaki has an ERA of 1.13, 6 strikeouts and 3 saves in 7 appearances in the postseason in his career, including a pivotal NLCS start, has solidified LA’s pitching, making him a key factor in their World Series run. This loss marks another high-profile miss for the Blue Jays, who had aggressively pursued Sasaki to bolster their rotation. Unlike Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million deal, Sasaki’s contract leveraged his age, offering rare upside at a lower cost. The Blue Jays’ push into the Asian market, inspired by Hyun Jin Ryu’s tenure, aimed to land a star like Sasaki, whose 97.5 mph fastball and devastating splitter could have transformed their staff.
Can Blue Jays overcome Sasaki’s loss to beat Dodgers?
Instead, he’s enhancing the Dodgers’ depth, a bitter pill for a team that finished 74-88 in 2024. Toronto’s pitching development shines with Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berríos, Chris Bassitt, and Yusei Kikuchi, but their farm system struggles to replace talent, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette nearing free agency.
The addition of Jeff Hoffman on a three-year deal, helps the bullpen, but the rotation lacks a Sasaki-like ace. Facing him in the World Series, adds insult to injury. This series is Toronto’s shot at redemption. With a 7-4 postseason record, the Blue Jays can overcome Sasaki’s loss. A win would prove they don’t need the pitcher who got away, challenging the Dodgers’ star-powered lineup.
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