News Summary
The Los Angeles Dodgers will defend their World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays in a high-stakes matchup. This year’s postseason viewership has seen a remarkable increase, drawing millions more viewers than in previous years. The Dodgers secured their spot after a swift victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Blue Jays aim for their first championship since the 1990s. The series will highlight exciting international talent as fans eagerly await the beginning of this thrilling competition.
Toronto
The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to defend their World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays in the highly anticipated 2025 World Series, set to begin on Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto at 8:00 p.m. ET. This matchup comes as Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason viewership soars, averaging 4.48 million viewers in the U.S., a notable 13% increase from the previous year and marking the highest viewership since 2017.
The excitement surrounding the postseason was evident during the American League Championship Series Game 7, which saw an average of 15.03 million viewers when combining U.S. and Canadian audiences. The game achieved a considerable 9.03 million viewers on various FOX platforms, making it the most-watched American League Championship Series (ALCS) game since 2017. It also set a record in Canada, drawing an average of 6 million viewers on Sportsnet, making it the most-watched Blue Jays game in history. The overall combined viewership for the ALCS averaged 9.39 million, representing a significant 60% increase over last year’s average of 5.88 million.
On the National League side, the Dodgers earned their place in the World Series following a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, which was the most-watched National League Championship Series (NLCS) in Japan, attracting an average of 7.34 million viewers—a 26% increase from the previous year. Notably, NLCS Game 4 featured a remarkable performance by Shohei Ohtani, who hit three home runs and struck out ten batters, resulting in 10.26 million viewers in Japan, making it the second most-watched LCS game ever in the country.
MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. indicated that the upcoming World Series will showcase the global nature of baseball. The series will be broadcast in 203 countries and territories in 16 languages by 44 media partners, emphasizing its international reach. The combined rosters of the Dodgers and Blue Jays feature 13 players born outside the United States, representing eight different countries and territories. Noteworthy international players on the Dodgers team include Shohei Ohtani from Japan, Teoscar Hernández from the Dominican Republic, and Kiké Hernández from Puerto Rico, while the Blue Jays’ lineup includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from Canada, Alejandro Kirk from Mexico, and Andrés Giménez from Venezuela.
As the Dodgers aim to win back-to-back championships, they are favored to take the series, a feat not accomplished since the New York Yankees did so from 1998 to 2000. Despite finishing with the third seed in the National League, the Dodgers have been seen as strong contenders throughout the season due to their well-rounded roster. Their starting pitchers, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, have been exceptional during the NLCS, contributing to the team’s successes.
The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are making their first World Series appearance since 1993. Their journey to the championship has been noteworthy, having overcome a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. This marks a significant achievement for the franchise as they look to capture their first World Series title since the early 1990s.
The full schedule for the World Series includes a potential Game 7 occurring on November 1, with all games set to be broadcast on FOX. Fans from both cities are eagerly awaiting the series, which promises thrilling competition and displays of talent from some of the best players in the sport.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Dodgers Sweep Brewers to Reach World Series Once Again
2025 MLB League Championship Series Broadcast Schedule Announced
Brewers and Cubs Set for Historic Playoff Showdown
Milwaukee Brewers Set for NLDS Showdown
MLB Trade Deadline Approaches with Competitive Playoff Race
Arizona Diamondbacks Prepare for Trade Deadline
Additional Resources
- ESPN: Ranking the Best MLB World Series Matchups Since 2000
- Wikipedia: World Series
- ESPN: Dodgers Strongly Favored to Win World Series
- Google Search: Los Angeles Dodgers
- CBS Sports: World Series Schedule 2025 Dodgers vs Blue Jays
- Google Scholar: MLB World Series
- MLB: Dodgers Starting Pitchers Healthy for World Series
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Blue Jays
- Bleacher Report: Maple Leafs and Raptors Adjust Schedules for World Series
- Google News: 2025 MLB World Series
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
