Ohtani isn’t the only one who will play against the team he could have played for: another Dodgers superstar will face them for the title

The 2025 World Sequence, set to kick off on Friday, October 24, pits the Toronto Blue Jays towards the Los Angeles Dodgers, a matchup that rekindles a bitter sting for Blue Jays followers, centered on the lack of Roki Sasaki to their opponents. The Dodgers swept the Nationwide League Championship Sequence (NLCS) 4-0 towards the Milwaukee Brewers, whereas the Blue Jays clinched the American League Championship Sequence (ALCS) 4-3 over the Seattle Mariners.

But, the highlight 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 information himself by way of Instagram, signing with Los Angeles beneath worldwide 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 merciless for Blue Jays devoted.

Sasaki’s resolution was a intestine punch for Toronto. The Blue Jays, alongside the San Diego Padres, had been finalists in his pursuit, with a reported go to to the town per week earlier than, however hours earlier than his announcement, Toronto traded with the Cleveland Guardians, buying $2 million in worldwide bonus pool cash and taking up Myles Straw’s contract. This daring transfer signaled their intent, however Sasaki selected the Dodgers.

Roki Sasaki has an ERA of 1.13, 6 strikeouts and three saves in 7 appearances within the postseason in his profession, together with a pivotal NLCS begin, has solidified LA’s pitching, making him a key issue of their World Sequence run. This loss marks one other high-profile miss for the Blue Jays, who had aggressively pursued Sasaki to bolster their rotation. In contrast to Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million deal, Sasaki’s contract leveraged his age, providing uncommon upside at a decrease price. The Blue Jays’ push into the Asian market, impressed by Hyun Jin Ryu’s tenure, aimed to land a star like Sasaki, whose 97.5 mph fastball and devastating splitter might have reworked their workers.

Can Blue Jays overcome Sasaki’s loss to beat Dodgers?

As a substitute, he is enhancing the Dodgers’ depth, a bitter capsule for a workforce that completed 74-88 in 2024. Toronto’s pitching growth shines with Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berríos, Chris Bassitt, and Yusei Kikuchi, however their farm system struggles to exchange expertise, particularly with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette nearing free company.

The addition of Jeff Hoffman on a three-year deal, helps the bullpen, however the rotation lacks a Sasaki-like ace. Going through him within the World Sequence, provides insult to damage. This sequence is Toronto’s shot at redemption. With a 7-4 postseason report, the Blue Jays can overcome Sasaki’s loss. A win would show they do not want the pitcher who received away, difficult the Dodgers’ star-powered lineup.