The Los Angeles Dodgers return to Toronto\u2019s Rogers Centre Monday night for a three-game series against the Blue Jays, offering fans a glimpse of a possible World Series rematch.<\/p>\n
This will be the only regular-season meeting between the teams this year.<\/p>\n
Since the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays 5-4 in extra innings of Game 7 on November 1, Toronto has worked to strengthen its lineup. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has also bolstered its roster.<\/p>\n
Sonja Chen, Dodgers beat reporter for MLB.com, says the team improved its outfield and bullpen during the off-season while keeping its championship core intact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have the roster they think can win them a third straight championship,\u201d Chen said in a recent interview.<\/p>\n
Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers\u2019 first baseman, recently showed off the latest World Series ring he earned after beating Toronto in 2025.<\/p>\n
Tom Verducci, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, compares this Dodgers team to the late \u201990s New York Yankees, the last dynasty to win three consecutive World Series titles from 1998 to 2000.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the Dodgers are clearly the team to beat,\u201d said Verducci, who recently explored Los Angeles\u2019 blueprint for sustained success.<\/p>\n
So who have the Dodgers added to their roster?<\/p>\n
They signed Edwin D\u00edaz, the top free-agent closer, to a three-year, $69 million US contract to strengthen their bullpen.<\/p>\n
They also landed outfielder and four-time All-Star Kyle Tucker on a four-year, $240 million deal. Tucker is among several players the Blue Jays pursued but who ultimately signed with Los Angeles, including two-way star Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Roki Sasaki.<\/p>\n
The combined value of D\u00edaz\u2019s and Tucker\u2019s contracts exceeds $300 million. The Dodgers, among baseball\u2019s top spenders, have managed this financial commitment with salary deferrals.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles re-signed infielder Miguel Rojas, known for his ninth-inning home run and game-saving throw that tied Game 7 of last year\u2019s World Series. They also brought back Enrique Hern\u00e1ndez (currently on the injured list), extended third baseman Max Muncy\u2019s contract for one year, and signed reliever Evan Phillips, also sidelined by injury.<\/p>\n
Verducci notes the Dodgers possess enough talent in both the majors and minors to sustain success through the grueling regular season.<\/p>\n
Chen highlights the impact potential of injured players such as two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and infielder Tommy Edman when they return. Key players like first baseman Freddie Freeman, shortstop Mookie Betts, and catcher Will Smith remain on the roster, maintaining strength in crucial positions.<\/p>\n
Shohei Ohtani, signed for several more years, remains a dual threat on the mound and at the plate, having pitched six shutout innings in his season debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe championship core is still here and still locked up for the long-term future,\u201d Chen stated.<\/p>\n
Verducci believes this version of the Dodgers could be \u201cthe best in the dynasty.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dodgers began the season with a three-game sweep over the Arizona Diamondbacks, mirroring the Blue Jays\u2019 own sweep in their opener. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, last year\u2019s World Series MVP, won the season opener with six innings, six strikeouts and just two runs allowed in an 8-2 victory.<\/p>\n
Though Emmet Sheehan faltered in the second game, Los Angeles edged the Diamondbacks 5-4. Tyler Glasnow delivered another strong six-inning, six-strikeout performance in the 3-2 win that completed the sweep.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers followed that with a 1-2 split against the Cleveland Guardians, which included Yamamoto\u2019s first loss of the year.<\/p>\n
Despite a winning start, Chen says the Dodgers have yet to fully click as a unit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey haven\u2019t put it all together,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With some struggling at the plate, Chen believes Blue Jays pitchers might have a chance to challenge the Dodgers during the upcoming series.<\/p>\n
Toronto\u2019s likely starters against Los Angeles are Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, and Max Scherzer.<\/p>\n
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy has called the trip to Toronto \u201cthe World Series rematch\u201d before the grind of the 162-game season truly begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we get past Toronto, it\u2019ll be \u2026 Groundhog Day for the next six months,\u201d Muncy said on the Foul Territory podcast.<\/p>\n
Until the playoffs, that is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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