Honestly, the baseball world is still shaking off the hangover from that insane seven-game thriller back in November. If you’d told a Toronto fan in 2023 that they’d be watching Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trade haymakers with Shohei Ohtani in a Game 7, they would have probably asked what you were drinking. But here we are. The Blue Jays vs LA Dodgers matchup has morphed from a rare interleague curiosity into a genuine, high-stakes grudge match that basically defines the current era of MLB.
It's deep. It's personal. And it's mostly because of a plane that wasn't actually carrying a baseball player.
The Flight That Changed Everything
You can't talk about these two teams without bringing up the "Ohtani Plane" saga of December 2023. It’s the origin story. For a few frantic hours, half of Canada thought Shohei Ohtani was on a private jet to Toronto to sign a franchise-altering deal. Fans were tracking tail numbers. People were refreshing Twitter every three seconds. Then, the gut punch: it was just Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank.
Ohtani signed with the Dodgers the next day.
That moment created a permanent chip on the shoulder of Blue Jays fans. It wasn't just that they lost out on a generational talent; it was the way it happened. Since then, every time the Blue Jays face the Dodgers, there’s this palpable "what if" energy in the stadium. It makes for incredible TV, even if it's kinda painful for the folks in Southern Ontario.
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Looking Back at the 2025 World Series Chaos
The 2025 World Series was basically a fever dream. The Dodgers eventually took the crown in seven games, but the path there was anything but predictable. Most experts thought the Dodgers’ "super-team" lineup would just steamroll everyone. Toronto had other plans.
Remember Game 1 at the Rogers Centre? 11-4. The Jays absolutely dismantled Blake Snell. Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger, and Alejandro Kirk all went deep in a single game. It felt like the "underdog" Jays were finally getting their revenge for the Ohtani sweepstakes.
But the Dodgers are the Dodgers. They have this relentless way of just... winning.
Why the Pitching Matchups Matter So Much
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. The Jays Lineup: Yamamoto was the 2025 World Series MVP for a reason. His ability to navigate a lineup that features a prime Vladdy Jr. is a masterclass. He doesn't just throw hard; he out-thinks you.
- Trey Yesavage: The New X-Factor: Toronto’s rookie sensation Yesavage completely flipped the script in Game 5 with that 12-strikeout performance. If the Jays are going to keep competing with the Dodgers’ spending power, they need more home-grown arms like him.
- The Ohtani Factor on the Mound: In Game 4, we finally saw Ohtani start a World Series game as a pitcher. Even though Vladdy took him deep for a two-run shot, Ohtani's presence on the mound against the team that almost signed him is the peak of sports drama.
Breaking Down the "Stealing" Narrative
There’s a growing sentiment in Toronto that the Dodgers are basically the Blue Jays' personal recruitment agency—in reverse. It’s not just Ohtani. First, it was Ohtani. Then it was Roki Sasaki. Most recently, the Dodgers snagged Kyle Tucker on a massive $240 million deal right out from under Toronto’s nose.
It feels personal.
But if you look at the stats, the Blue Jays vs LA Dodgers rivalry isn't as one-sided as the "big market vs small market" narrative suggests. Toronto actually out-hit the Dodgers in terms of batting average during the 2025 regular season (.265 to .253). The Dodgers just happen to hit more home runs—244 compared to Toronto's 191. It’s a clash of styles: Toronto’s contact and defense versus LA’s "three true outcomes" power.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the Dodgers win just because they spend more. That’s a lazy take.
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The Dodgers win because their player development is scary. Look at guys like Tommy Edman or Max Muncy—players who were often overlooked elsewhere but became postseason heroes in LA. Meanwhile, Toronto has had to pivot. Since losing Bo Bichette to free agency, they’ve had to rely on the defensive wizardry of Andrés Giménez and the versatility of Ernie Clement.
Clement is a great example of what people miss. He isn't a superstar, but he hit over .400 in the 2025 ALDS. He’s the "glue guy" that keeps the Jays in games when the Dodgers' stars are shining.
The 2026 Outlook: Mark Your Calendars
We don't have to wait long for the rematch. The Dodgers are scheduled to visit the Rogers Centre from April 6-8, 2026. This isn't just a random early-season series. For Toronto, it's a chance to prove that the seven-game World Series loss wasn't a fluke and that they belong in the same breath as the "NL West Juggernauts."
The Dodgers will likely be favorites again, especially with Kyle Tucker in that lineup. But the Jays just spent over $300 million this winter themselves. They are "all in."
Key Things to Watch in 2026:
- The Vladdy Extension Factor: Guerrero Jr. is now the highest-paid Jay in history. He’s playing with the weight of the franchise on his back.
- Dodgers' Ageing Core: Freddie Freeman is 36. Mookie Betts is 33. While they’re still elite, the window for this specific iteration of the Dodgers might be narrower than people think.
- The Bullpen Battle: Toronto’s pitching was middling in 2025. If they want to flip the script against LA, the late-inning guys have to find a way to stop Ohtani and Freeman in high-leverage spots.
Honestly, it's the best rivalry in baseball right now that doesn't involve the Yankees or Red Sox. It’s got everything: heartbreak, massive contracts, international superstars, and two fanbases that genuinely can't stand seeing the other succeed.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the Blue Jays vs LA Dodgers matchup this season, keep these nuances in mind rather than just looking at the names on the jerseys:
- Watch the Splitter: Both Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage rely heavily on the splitter. The Dodgers' lineup, while powerful, has shown occasional vulnerability to high-quality off-speed stuff when they’re looking for fastballs.
- Venue Matters: The Rogers Centre plays differently since the renovations. It’s more of a hitter’s park now, which actually favors the Dodgers’ power-heavy approach more than it used to.
- Pay Attention to the Bottom of the Order: In their 2025 matchups, the games were often decided by the "random" guys—Ernie Clement for the Jays or Kiké Hernández for the Dodgers. Don't just focus on the $700 million man.
- Track the Travel: Interleague series often involve brutal travel schedules. Check if the Dodgers are coming off a long road trip before they land in Toronto; that’s often when their bats go quiet for a game or two.
The next chapter starts in April. Whether you’re a die-hard Jays fan still mourning that Game 7 or a Dodgers fan enjoying the dynasty, this is the series that will define the 2026 season.