The Opener: Blue Jays, Dodgers, World Series

Here are three things to keep an eye on headed into Game 1 later today:

1. Blue Jays roster decisions:

As the Blue Jays finalize their World Series roster, the biggest question for the club is what will happen with star shortstop Bo Bichette. Bichette has been out since the regular season due to a PCL strain, but appears close to a dramatic return. Bichette himself indicated following the ALCS that he’ll be ready to play tonight, and manager John Schneider suggested during yesterday’s media availability that a return is a distinct possibility. Of course, it’s up to the Toronto medical staff to clear him for play following yesterday’s workouts.

If Bichette does make the roster, it’s possible that rather than leaning on him at shortstop or forcing George Springer into the field at DH, Bichette could make some starts at second base to ease his move back into defensive work in games. Andres Gimenez is a superior defender at shortstop anyhow and has filled in nicely in his absence.

2. Dodgers roster decisions:

The Dodgers have already announced one major roster decision ahead of today’s full-roster announcement: Clayton Kershaw will make the club’s World Series roster. That decision comes after Kershaw struggled in the NLDS, was left off the Wild Card roster, and did not make an appearance in the NLCS. Given that this World Series will be the final games of Kershaw’s career, it will be worth tracking if the Dodgers can find the right opportunity to give their franchise face and future Hall of Famer a proper sendoff amid their fight to become the first repeat World Series champions since the 2000 Yankees.

Outside of Kershaw, there’s the question of whether Tanner Scott will be available for the club’s World Series roster after a minor procedure on his lower body removed him from the NLDS roster and left him ineligible for the NLCS roster. Scott had a tough year in 2025 but isn’t far removed from being one of the game’s most dominant relievers.

3. Games 1 and 2 Preview:

The first two games of the World Series will happen in Toronto this weekend. First pitch in both games is scheduled for 8pm local time. Game 1 tonight will feature Trey Yesavage (3.21 ERA) on the mound for the Blue Jays opposite Dodgers lefty Blake Snell (2.35 ERA). Snell has dominated this postseason with a 0.86 ERA and 28 strikeouts in three starts, but Yesavage has impressed far more than his 4.20 postseason ERA would suggest. He struck out 11 Yankees in 5 1/3 n0-hit innings during the ALDS, and while the Mariners chased him from a tough Game 2 start in the ALCS, he rebounded in Game 6 to offer 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball while striking out seven.

In Game 2, the Dodgers will send Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.49 ERA) to the mound opposite a yet-to-be-named Blue Jays starter. Kevin Gausman would most likely be in line for the start after his relief appearance in Game 7 of the ALCS. Whoever he ultimately faces, Yamamoto will be coming off a dominant complete game against the Brewers where he allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven.