Stars of the Fall Classic: Top 3 Players to Watch in the 2025 World Series

Firoz Gill
October 21, 2025
5 min read

The 2025 World Series brings a thrilling showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers, fresh off their 2024 title, aim to repeat—a rare feat last achieved by the 2000 Yankees. Toronto, with a 94-68 record, earned home-field advantage as the AL’s top seed. This clash revives memories of their 1993 classic.

Games 1 and 2 launch at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Games 3 through 5. FOX broadcasts all games, with streaming on Fubo and MLB.TV (geo-restrictions apply). Fans worldwide are ready for October drama.

The Dodgers’ power-heavy, analytics-driven lineup contrasts Toronto’s contact-oriented, defensive approach. L.A. boasts stars like Mookie Betts, while the Jays counter with Bo Bichette’s spark. The series could hinge on individual brilliance. Three players stand out as potential game-changers.

Prediction: Dodgers in six, but Toronto’s grit makes it close. These stars will shape the narrative. Their clutch moments could echo for decades. Get ready for a Fall Classic to remember.

3. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

Freddie Freeman remains the heartbeat of the Dodgers’ lineup, a veteran first baseman whose consistency anchors their title chase. His 2024 World Series MVP performance, where he slugged four homers despite an ankle injury, proved his knack for shining under pressure. This postseason, Freeman’s hitting .320 with two homers and seven RBIs, silencing critics who questioned his regular-season dip (.285/.378/.475). At 36, he’s chasing a second ring to cement his legacy as one of baseball’s greats. As a switch-hitter, Freeman poses a matchup nightmare for Toronto’s ground-ball-heavy pitching staff. His ability to spray line drives to all fields could exploit gaps in the Blue Jays’ infield, especially in spacious Rogers Centre. Freeman’s Gold Glove-caliber defense at first base adds another layer, neutralizing Toronto’s contact-oriented attack. Against secondary relievers in late innings, expect him to deliver clutch hits that swing tight games. Despite concerns about his age and durability entering 2025, Freeman’s postseason resurgence has been remarkable. His .378 on-base percentage keeps L.A.’s offense humming, setting the table for power threats like Ohtani. In critical moments, his disciplined approach at the plate turns at-bats into game-defining rallies. Freeman’s experience makes him a rock the Dodgers lean on in October. Keep an eye on Freeman when the game hangs in the balance, particularly in Games 3 through 5 at Dodger Stadium. His ability to handle Toronto’s bullpen could dictate the series’ momentum. As the Dodgers’ cleanup hitter, he’s a steady force who thrives in the spotlight. Freeman’s next big hit might just bring L.A. closer to another championship.

2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays’ 26-year-old superstar, is carrying his Hall of Fame father’s October legacy into the 2025 World Series. After a stellar regular season (.312 average, 35 homers, 105 RBIs), he’s elevated his game in the playoffs, slashing .375/.450/.750 with five homers and 14 RBIs. His three-run blast in Game 3 of the ALCS against Seattle flipped the series, showcasing his flair for dramatic moments. Guerrero is the engine of Toronto’s title hopes. His plate discipline—drawing walks at a 12% clip while rarely chasing bad pitches—makes him a nightmare for pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Blake Snell. Guerrero’s power, combined with Toronto’s league-leading contact rate, fuels rallies alongside teammates like Bo Bichette and George Springer. In a series where every at-bat counts, his ability to foul off two-strike pitches could wear down L.A.’s staff. He’s a spark plug who thrives under pressure. Guerrero’s postseason heroics have earned him “Mr. October” comparisons, and for good reason. His five homers and disciplined approach have turned potential slumps into game-changing outbursts, keeping the Jays’ offense dynamic. Against the Dodgers’ deep rotation, his knack for extending at-bats will be critical to sparking Toronto’s lineup. One big swing could shift the series in the Blue Jays’ favor. Watch Guerrero in high-leverage spots, especially in Games 1 and 2 at home, where the Rogers Centre crowd will amplify his energy. His ability to turn a pitcher’s mistake into a multi-run homer could define Toronto’s chances. The young star is ready to etch his name into World Series lore. This could be the stage where Guerrero becomes a household name.

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH/P, Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s two-way unicorn, enters the 2025 World Series as the sport’s biggest global draw. After a jaw-dropping regular season (.310 average, 54 homers, 130 RBIs, and a sub-3.00 ERA over 150 innings), he earned NLCS MVP honors with a .350/.429/1.000 slash line and a three-homer, 10-strikeout masterpiece against Milwaukee. At 31, Ohtani is chasing his first ring, and his performance could make the Dodgers unstoppable. He’s rewriting what’s possible in baseball. Ohtani’s offensive prowess, with exit velocities topping 110 mph, poses a massive threat to Toronto’s pitching staff, which allowed the third-fewest homers in the AL. His devastating splitter on the mound, likely used in a relief role, could stifle the Jays’ contact-heavy lineup by inducing weak grounders. While primarily DHing to preserve his arm, his versatility forces opponents to rethink their game plan. Ohtani is a one-man wrecking crew. His postseason dominance—hitting bombs and painting corners—has made him the focal point of this series. In Game 4 of the NLCS, he showcased his dual-threat brilliance, homering thrice while striking out 10 in six scoreless innings. Toronto’s staff will struggle to contain his power, especially in Dodger Stadium’s hitter-friendly confines. Ohtani’s every swing or pitch is a potential highlight-reel moment. Expect Ohtani to dominate headlines, whether launching a moonshot or closing out a tight game from the bullpen. His presence tilts the series toward L.A., likely in six games, with another MVP award in reach. The global stage of the World Series is tailor-made for his brilliance. Ohtani’s magic will light up October and could define this Fall Classic.