The 2025 World Series, set to begin on Friday, October 24, pits the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Toronto Blue Jays in a matchup loaded with historical intrigue. The Dodgers swept the National League Championship Series (NLCS) 4-0 against the Milwaukee Brewers, showcasing their dominance. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays clinched the American League Championship Series (ALCS) with a gritty 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
This marks the fifth World Series where one team swept its LCS and the other went the full seven games, and a review of the past four instances reveals a striking trend: the team that won in seven games has won the World Series each time, suggesting Toronto could hold the upper hand despite the Dodgers’ flawless run.
The historical pattern began in 1988, when the Oakland Athletics swept the Boston Red Sox 4-0 in the ALCS, while the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 4-3 in a seven-game NLCS. The Dodgers went on to win the World Series 4-1 against the A’s. The trend continued in 2006, with the Detroit Tigers sweeping the Oakland Athletics 4-0 in the ALCS, and the St. Louis Cardinals winning a seven-game NLCS against the New York Mets 4-3. The Cardinals clinched the World Series 4-1 over the Tigers.
In 2007, the Colorado Rockies swept the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 in the NLCS, while the Boston Red Sox won a seven-game ALCS against the Cleveland Indians 4-3. The Red Sox dominated the World Series 4-0 against the Rockies. The fourth instance came in 2012, when the Detroit Tigers swept the New York Yankees 4-0 in the ALCS, and the San Francisco Giants won a seven-game NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3. The Giants took the World Series 4-0 over the Tigers.
Dodgers face historical challenge from Blue Jays’ ALCS win
This 4-0 record favoring the seven-game team is a compelling statistic as the 2025 series approaches. The Dodgers’ sweep highlights their offensive firepower, led by Shohei Ohtani‘s historic NLCS performance. However, the Blue Jays’ resilience-overcoming a 3-2 deficit with a Game 7 win on October 21, 2025-mirrors the tenacity that has historically led to World Series success.
The 1988 Dodgers’ seven-game NLCS win, driven by Kirk Gibson’s iconic home run, underscore this pattern. As the series unfolds, the Dodgers’ 9-1 postseason record contrasts with the Blue Jays’ battle-tested 7-4 mark. While the Dodgers aim for their ninth title, history suggests Toronto’s seven-game grind could propel them to a championship upset. This matchup promises a clash of momentum versus endurance, with the past leaning toward the Blue Jays’ favor.
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