The World Series showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers is about to kick off at the Rogers Centre this Friday. Before the Major League Baseball’s championship series begins, here are five key things you should know.
In this 122-year history of the World Series, the hosting of Games 1 and 2, as well as the decisive seventh game, has varied. This season, the hosting rights are based on the teams’ regular-season win percentages. The Blue Jays, with a .580 win percentage, edged out L.A.’s .574 mark, earning the privilege to host the first two games and, if needed, Games 6 and 7 at Rogers Centre.
Tickets for the games will be available for sale starting at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
Shohei Ohtani, a standout player who recently switched from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers, had initially considered signing with the Blue Jays. Ultimately, after negotiations, he secured a massive 10-year, US$700 million deal to stay in L.A. with the Dodgers.
Ohtani, who has already won an NL MVP title, is aiming for back-to-back World Series victories. He delivered an outstanding performance in the previous season, hitting 55 home runs and 102 RBIs, while also excelling as a starting pitcher.
The Dodgers, known for their substantial payroll, have invested heavily in their players this season, with a total spending of approximately $509.5 million, significantly surpassing the Blue Jays’ payroll of $252.7 million.
While the Dodgers boast eight World Series championships, this year marks their 23rd appearance in the Fall Classic, spanning their history from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Los Angeles. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have clinched the championship twice before, in 1992 and 1993, maintaining a perfect winning percentage in the World Series like the Florida Marlins, L.A. Angels, and Washington Nationals.
Despite being built decades apart, Dodgers Stadium (1962) and Rogers Centre (1989) rank as the third and sixth oldest stadiums in Major League Baseball, respectively. With a seating capacity of 56,000, Dodgers Stadium is the largest in MLB, while Rogers Centre accommodates around 42,000 spectators, placing it at the tenth spot in the league.