In the previous article, we broke down three core elements of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ path from the 2025 postseason to the World Series:

• the starting rotation,
• the bullpen, and
• the offense.

From that analysis, a few things were already very clear. The Dodgers’ starting rotation has been incredibly stable and overpowering this postseason — almost every single arm in the playoff rotation has delivered quality starts. Meanwhile, the bullpen, although shaky at times during the regular season, has been reinforced by creative usage. The team moved some starting pitchers into relief roles in October, which stabilized depth and gave the staff a more complete structure.

On the position player side, the Dodgers once again showed elite lineup strength. They not only have multiple legitimate power bats, but also a bench full of players who can cover multiple defensive positions. That gives them tactical flexibility on both sides of the ball. The coaching staff can tailor matchups without sacrificing offense — which keeps their run production among the most dangerous in the league.

In this article, “Dodgers 2025 World Series Outlook, Part 2/2,” we’ll go deeper into:

• The Dodgers’ defensive performance (regular season → postseason)
• A projected 26-man World Series roster
• Likely strategy and in-game adjustments for the World Series
• Final conclusions and future outlook

In other words, this is where we put it all together: how the Dodgers are tuning both roster and tactics to chase their ninth World Series title in franchise history — and potentially complete the first back-to-back championship run in team history.

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(4) Dodgers Defensive Ability and Overall Fielding Performance (Regular Season → Postseason)

Defensively, the Dodgers were generally solid throughout the year. They committed 68 errors across the full regular season, averaging just 0.42 per game — the 6th-fewest in MLB. That reflects consistent competence in routine plays. According to Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), the Dodgers posted +67 runs saved this season, which ranked 3rd in MLB. That’s excellent, and it highlights both their range and their tactical execution on defense.

However, when we look at Def (Defensive Value), the team’s total comes in at only +0.8, which ranks 18th in the league. That apparent drop-off is largely tied to the catching group. Dodgers catchers rated poorly in several defensive metrics: catcher DRS came in at -8 (26th in MLB), and FRM (framing runs) at -8.0 (also 26th). In plain language: the catchers weren’t consistently winning borderline strikes, and that dragged down the overall team defensive value.

Because catcher defense is such a large component of team defense in modern analytics, even strong play elsewhere can get muted by weakness behind the plate. So while most of the Dodgers’ infield and defensive positioning graded out well, the catching unit’s below-average framing and receiving kept their overall “Def” number from fully reflecting how good the rest of the defense actually was.

That said, by October this weakness had been softened. First, the Dodgers’ pitchers were so dominant in the postseason that they reduced the number of dangerous contact situations. Second, the catcher group improved its game-calling and pitcher handling down the stretch and into October. As a result, by the postseason, catcher defense was no longer a glaring liability. The Dodgers’ defensive engine as a whole ran smoothly enough that it didn’t become a problem area in playoff games.

Now let’s look around the field.

Second base has been a major defensive stronghold. As a team, the Dodgers posted a Def value of 15.1 at second base — best in MLB — and a DRS of 18 at the position, second only to the Toronto Blue Jays. The biggest contributors here were starting 2B Tommy Edman and key reserve Miguel Rojas. Both players put up OAA (Outs Above Average) of 5 or higher, with Rojas reaching 6. Their range, sure hands, and consistency helped lock down the middle infield.

At shortstop, Mookie Betts has been outstanding. His DRS at short this season is 17, and his Def value sits at 8.6. Across multiple advanced metrics, he’s taken a big step forward compared to last year. After moving to shortstop over the last two seasons, Betts has clearly settled into the position. He’s reading the position better, and his coverage and stability have both improved significantly. The Betts–Edman (or Betts–Rojas) middle-infield pairing is one of the Dodgers’ true competitive advantages — a key reason they’ve stayed playoff-tough defensively.

Third base has also improved compared to last year. The Dodgers logged a +5 DRS at third base this season, ranking 5th in MLB. For comparison, last year (2024), they were at -1 and ranked 18th, which was basically below average. The biggest driver of that jump was Max Muncy improving his stability and overall coverage at the position.

Now, Muncy’s raw fielding percentage actually dipped a bit — from .964 last season to .951 this year — and his error count ticked up. But his reactions, range, and positioning have gotten better. Plus, the Dodgers have multiple capable defenders who can rotate in at third (including Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández), which helps the team hold the line defensively whenever Muncy sits or shifts.

At first base, Freddie Freeman remains the primary option. At age 36, his physical range isn’t what it used to be, but his experience and steadiness still anchor the infield. Importantly, the Dodgers have also created flexibility at first. Kiké Hernández logged 168 1/3 innings at first base this year — the most he’s ever played there in a single season — showing he can cover the position. Catcher Dalton Rushing has also made occasional appearances at first since being called up, adding another emergency option. This lets the Dodgers mix and match late in games for tactical or fatigue reasons without losing defensive stability at first base.

In the outfield, things are shakier. As a unit, Dodgers outfielders posted a -3 DRS (17th in MLB) and a -7 OAA (19th in MLB), which lands them in the league’s lower middle defensively. While several outfielders have impressive throwing arms — Andy Pages in particular, with an rARM (arm value runs) of +6, ranking him among the top arms in MLB — the outfield group overall has some red flags. The biggest issue? Mistakes. Dodgers outfielders combined for 19 errors this season, the 4th-most in MLB. When the outfield leaks, runs score. Because outfield defense weighs heavily in overall defensive metrics, that volatility is one reason their team Def score wasn’t higher.

By position:

• Left field and center field have been weaker, each posting a -5 DRS. That puts Dodgers left field at 24th in MLB and center field at 20th.
• Right field, however, rated clearly better: +7 DRS, 9th in MLB.

Left field was primarily handled by Michael Conforto this season. Unfortunately, his defense graded poorly: Def -10.7, OAA -5. And his offense underwhelmed as well, with a wRC+ of just 83 (below league average). Because of that two-way drop-off, the Dodgers made an adjustment in October. In the postseason, Kiké Hernández has taken over left field, and late in games the team has leaned on Justin Dean in a defense-first role because of his elite range. Conforto was ultimately left off the postseason roster — a sign that, in October, this team is prioritizing defensive stability and outfield coverage over a name-value bat in left.

Center field this year has mostly belonged to Andy Pages. His workload there jumped significantly — 973 innings in CF this year, up from 666 last year (an increase of 307 innings). With that experience, his Def value at the position rose sharply, from -2.1 last year to +4.3 this year. He’s made big strides in two areas:

1. Arm strength and throwing accuracy, and
2. Range — he’s now getting to more balls at the edge of his zone and deeper in the gaps.

That said, he’s still made a few too many errors. The raw tools are there, but he’s still polishing judgment and consistency. The upside, though, is obvious: Pages has the potential to become an all-around, above-average MLB center fielder if he keeps tightening the details.

Right field has primarily been handled by Teoscar Hernández (“the Spanish teacher”). Last season, 2024, he was mostly in left field. With Michael Conforto taking over left this year, Teoscar shifted to right. His overall outfield work this season is slightly better than last year — his total outfield DRS climbed from -3 up to +1. But focusing only on right field, his DRS actually dropped from +5 last year to 0 this year. That apparent decline may have more to do with structural changes than with deterioration. With Andy Pages becoming an everyday center fielder and covering a ton of ground, Teoscar’s responsibilities in right field shifted. He wasn’t asked to do as much laterally, which can create weird noise in the defensive metrics. Even if his raw defensive numbers at RF aren’t as shiny as last year, his arm, reads, and experience still make him competent out there. And of course, his bat remains a middle-of-the-order weapon, so he’s still a core piece.

We should also mention Hyeseong Kim. Kim played for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO and joined the Dodgers via the posting system late last season. He’s been an important new addition this year. Kim brings outstanding defensive versatility — he can cover both infield and outfield spots — and that gives the Dodgers a ton of tactical freedom. He made the Dodgers’ 26-man roster in every playoff round this year, typically serving as a late-inning defender, pinch-runner, and situational piece. In the regular season, he logged 170 plate appearances with a 95 wRC+, which is actually quite respectable for a posted rookie adjusting to MLB immediately.

In October, Kim’s value is less about starting at one position and more about being a chess piece. He gives Dave Roberts speed, defense, and bench flexibility in high-leverage innings. In that sense, he’s not just depth — he’s an active strategic lever.

Taken together, the Dodgers’ postseason defense has actually become a strength. Yes, some areas (like left field and center) were more volatile during the regular season. But before the playoffs, the Dodgers proactively tightened those weak points: they leaned harder on players with plus range, quick reactions, and defensive versatility. That let them stabilize late-game defense, especially with leads.

So even though there were shaky stretches in the regular season, by October the Dodgers’ defense was no longer an exposed nerve. In fact, it’s part of why they’ve been able to grind their way back to the World Series.

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(5) Projected Dodgers 26-Man Roster for the World Series

In MLB postseasons, most teams go with a 26-man roster that looks something like 13 pitchers + 13 position players to balance arms and bats.

The Dodgers are different this year — for one very obvious reason: Shohei Ohtani.

Because Ohtani is both a starting pitcher and an elite hitter, the Dodgers can “cheat” the roster math a little. Functionally, here’s how they’re approaching it:

• They’re only carrying 12 “pure” pitchers.
• Ohtani is treated as a special hybrid: both a starting pitcher and an everyday bat.
• They still carry 13 position players.

In other words, on paper it’s like “13 pitchers and 14 position players,” with Ohtani counted in both columns. That extra flexibility is a huge advantage. It preserves depth on the mound while still keeping enough bats and defensive subs on the bench.

Let’s walk through the likely composition:

Starting Pitchers (4 total)
For the first two World Series games, the Dodgers are expected to start:

1. Blake Snell
2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto

After that, the third and fourth starters are expected to be Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow. These four arms are the core of the Dodgers’ playoff rotation, and their steady performances in the earlier rounds are the main reason L.A. is back in the World Series.

Relief Pitchers (9 total)
Several pitchers who started games in the regular season have shifted to relief roles in October. That includes veteran Clayton Kershaw, who is set to retire after this season. In the World Series, Kershaw is expected to work primarily as a long reliever — the guy who comes in if the starter exits early, or in lower-leverage spots when the score is lopsided.

Because Kershaw’s velocity and stuff have declined from his peak, and because playoff lineups are ruthless, the Dodgers are likely to be cautious with his usage. He’ll probably pitch mostly in non-critical moments (down multiple runs, or in a blowout). Even so, his presence still matters in the dugout. His poise and leadership are part of this team’s mental backbone.

Meanwhile, Roki Sasaki has taken over as the closer and has been phenomenal: 7 postseason appearances, 8 innings, 1.13 ERA. He’s locked down the ninth with power and composure, consistently shutting down opponent rallies and protecting wins.

Emmet Sheehan has moved into a long-relief / swing role. His job is essentially: eat innings in softer game states (for example, trailing by a few runs) and keep the bullpen from getting overworked. Even though his postseason numbers so far aren’t pretty (3 1/3 IP, 10.80 ERA), the Dodgers still trust his upside as a young arm with starter’s experience. He’s seen as part of their future.

From the left side, Alex Vesia remains a critical matchup weapon. He’s appeared in 7 postseason games (4 2/3 IP, 3.86 ERA) and is mostly deployed against dangerous left-handed hitters. The splits tell the whole story: lefties have just a .498 OPS against him this season, compared to .682 for righties — a massive .184 gap. That “lefty specialist” profile makes him the go-to option when the opponent’s key left-handed bats are due up. Even against righties, his raw batting average allowed is still low (.193 vs RHB, .159 vs LHB), but right-handed hitters are more likely to square him up for damage, so he’s primarily reserved for left-on-left leverage.

On the flip side, Blake Treinen fills the “right-handed specialist” role. He’s also pitched in 7 postseason games (3 2/3 IP, 7.36 ERA), but his command has wavered. Still, he can miss right-handed bats in tight spots. His OPS allowed vs righties is .709, but vs lefties it balloons to 1.012. So the Dodgers will pick his moments: high-leverage right-on-right battles, not neutral matchups.

Anthony Banda and Jack Dreyer are essentially long/swing lefties.

• Banda threw 71 regular-season games (including one opener outing), logging 65 IP with a 3.18 ERA. In the playoffs he’s gone 2 2/3 scoreless innings across 3 games. He’s phenomenal at stranding runners: his regular-season LOB% (strand rate) was 83.1%, and his career postseason strand rate is an even more absurd 93.8%. That means when he comes in with traffic, he puts fires out. The “opener” note is also important: MLB has normalized using a reliever to start a game to manage matchups. (The CPBL has seen similar ideas — for example, former CTBC Brothers manager Cory Snyder used versions of this strategy in 2018.)
• Jack Dreyer threw 67 regular-season games, covering 76 1/3 innings with a 2.95 ERA. In the postseason, he’s worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings over 2 outings, though with 2 walks that hint at a little nerves. His regular-season walk rate was just 7.8%, so the playoff wobble looks more like adrenaline than a real control problem. Both Banda and Dreyer give the Dodgers flexible left-handed length in the middle innings and extra coverage in potential extra-inning marathons.

One more likely bullpen piece is Ben Casparius. He pitched in 46 regular-season games (including 3 starts), covering 77 2/3 innings with a 4.64 ERA. He’s a right-hander who can both throw multiple innings and generally keep the walks under control. He wasn’t on the Wild Card Series (NLWC) or Division Series (NLDS) roster, but the Dodgers added him for the NLCS after certain relievers (like Edgardo Henriquez) struggled with command. The staff values Casparius’ combination of relative strike-throwing and ability to soak up innings. Facing a disciplined, power-heavy offense like the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers may very well keep Casparius on the World Series roster for exactly that reason.

The final bullpen spot likely comes down to Justin Wrobleski versus former closer Tanner Scott.

Manager Dave Roberts has said that Tanner Scott underwent a procedure for a lower-body abscess during the Phillies series. The medical staff is still evaluating whether he’ll be ready in time for the World Series. If Scott can’t go, Wrobleski almost certainly gets the nod.

Justin Wrobleski pitched 24 regular-season games this year (2 starts), totaling 66 2/3 innings with a 4.32 ERA. He struck out 27.1% of hitters and walked only 6.1%, which is classic high-K, low-BB efficiency. He can work multiple innings. That profile is exactly what you want in a long series: someone who can stabilize the middle of a game if the starter exits early, or bridge into extras without burning three different relievers.

If Tanner Scott isn’t healthy, Wrobleski becomes the natural replacement. His strikeout ability and calm tempo on the mound would help keep the Dodgers’ bullpen deep and balanced.

(P.S. In the previous article I mentioned that Tanner Scott was left off the NLCS roster “for adjustment reasons.” After re-checking, it turns out he’d actually been replaced due to injury. That earlier description may have been misleading — apologies!)

Catchers (2 total)
The Dodgers will likely mirror their NLCS roster and carry only two catchers into the World Series. Earlier rounds (NLWC and NLDS) featured three catchers, mainly because starting catcher Will Smith wasn’t 100% healthy yet.

Now that Smith’s health has improved, he’s expected to resume his role as the clear No. 1 catcher.

The second catcher is very likely Ben Rortvedt. His defensive work has noticeably improved this year, and when he got starts behind the plate in earlier playoff rounds, he even contributed some timely offense. Between his receiving progress and his occasional hitting spark, Rortvedt looks like the locked-in No. 2 behind Smith.

Infielders (6 total)

• Freddie Freeman will start at first base. He’s been consistent at the plate in both the regular season and postseason — elite on-base skills, mature power, and veteran presence. He’s not just a lineup pillar; he’s also a clubhouse tone-setter.
• Second base will largely be handled by Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas.
  • Edman’s switch-hitting ability and dependable postseason bat give the Dodgers lineup-building flexibility, so he’s projected as the primary 2B.
  • Rojas provides elite defense, late-inning stability, and veteran poise. He’ll often enter for defense or situational hitting in the later innings. Together they let the Dodgers toggle between offense and glove work at second base, depending on game state.
• Shortstop will be Mookie Betts. Defensively, he’s been excellent at SS this year, showing range and arm accuracy. Offensively, even though he had a lull during the regular season, he’s stabilized in October and can still spark rallies. He’s become both an on-field anchor and an emotional leader.
• Third base belongs to Max Muncy. His postseason batting average is only .214 so far, but his plate discipline is still elite. His walk rate in October is up at 19.4%, which keeps rallies alive and feeds traffic to the heart of the order. Also, because the Blue Jays’ rotation is largely right-handed, Muncy’s left-handed power vs RHP becomes even more valuable in this matchup. He’s a key pressure point against Toronto’s righty-heavy staff.
• Hyeseong Kim (the Korean infielder/outfielder who came over via the posting system) is also expected to be on the roster again, just like in all three previous playoff rounds. He hasn’t actually gotten a postseason at-bat yet, but he’s already made an impact. In NLDS Game 4, he came in as a pinch-runner and scored the eventual winning run, helping the Dodgers advance. His role is crystal clear: elite utility defender + high-leverage baserunner. He’s a trusted late-inning chess piece.

Outfielders (5 total)
In left field, the main starter is expected to be Kiké Hernández. Throughout the earlier rounds, the Dodgers have adjusted their defensive and offensive alignment based on the handedness of the opponent’s starting pitcher.

• Versus right-handed starters, Kiké usually starts in left field and Muncy stays at third.
• Versus left-handed starters, the Dodgers often reshuffle: Kiké moves to third base, and Alex Call (a right-handed hitter) will start in left field.

This lets the Dodgers optimize both offense and defense depending on matchup and keeps their lineup deep from both sides of the plate.

Center field remains Andy Pages’ territory. Yes, he’s struggled badly at the plate this postseason (.086 AVG, .249 OPS), but because of his defense in center and the overall value he provided in the regular season (both glove and bat), the coaching staff still trusts him. Expect him to stay in center as the primary defender.

Right field belongs to Teoscar Hernández (“the Spanish teacher”), who has been on fire offensively this postseason. Even in a lineup loaded with sluggers, he still earns a premium lineup spot. His power production and run creation have been critical, and he’ll continue to be one of the Dodgers’ most dangerous bats in the World Series.

Late in close games, if the Dodgers are holding a slim lead, they’ll often go to a defense-first outfield alignment:

• Justin Dean comes in to play center field, using his elite range to tighten coverage.
• Andy Pages then slides from center to right field.

This improves total outfield stability and helps protect a late lead. It’s a standard part of the Dodgers’ “lock it down” script in October.

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani

Now we get to the heartbeat of the roster.

Shohei Ohtani is not only a central part of the starting rotation, he’s also the Dodgers’ most dangerous hitter. He brings elite power, elite hard contact, and even baserunning threat. He’s a game-breaker on both sides of the ball.

In the World Series, Ohtani’s two-way role becomes even more important. On days he’s not pitching, he’s expected to serve as the everyday designated hitter — and the plan is to hit him in the leadoff spot. As a leadoff DH with elite power and speed, he immediately pressures opposing pitchers from pitch one. When your first batter of the game can make it 1–0 instantly or stretch a single into extra bases with his legs, your lineup starts the game on offense mode. That sets tone and tempo for the Dodgers’ entire attack.

Roster Summary (Projected)

• Pure Starters (3 listed here; Ohtani is noted separately as two-way)
  • Blake Snell (LHP) – No. 1 starter
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto (RHP) – No. 2 starter
  • Tyler Glasnow (RHP) – No. 3 or No. 4 starter
• Relievers (9)
  • Clayton Kershaw (LHP) – long relief / lower leverage, game-state stabilizer
  • Emmet Sheehan (RHP) – long relief in softer spots, could actually see more meaningful innings than Kershaw depending on situation
  • Anthony Banda (LHP) – long relief / fireman with great strand rate
  • Ben Casparius (RHP) – long relief / multiple innings, strikes in zone
  • Justin Wrobleski (LHP) – multi-inning, high-K/low-BB profile
  • Jack Dreyer (LHP) – multi-inning lefty, can bridge middle frames
  • Alex Vesia (LHP) – lefty specialist vs tough left-handed bats
  • Blake Treinen (RHP) – righty specialist vs dangerous right-handed hitters
  • Roki Sasaki (RHP) – closer / ninth-inning weapon
• Two-Way Player (1)
  • Shohei Ohtani (RHP / LHB) – No. 3 or No. 4 starter, everyday DH, leadoff bat
• Catchers (2)
  • Will Smith (R/R)
  • Ben Rortvedt (R/L)
• Infielders (6)
  • Freddie Freeman (R/L) – starting 1B
  • Tommy Edman (R/Switch) – starting 2B
  • Miguel Rojas (R/R) – middle infield defense / late-inning sub
  • Mookie Betts (R/R) – starting SS
  • Max Muncy (R/L) – starting 3B
  • Hyeseong Kim (R/L) – multi-position utility, key pinch-run/defense weapon
• Outfielders (5)
  • Kiké Hernández (R/R) – starting LF, can also play infield
  • Andy Pages (R/R) – starting CF
  • Teoscar Hernández (R/R) – starting RF
  • Alex Call (R/R) – fourth outfielder / platoon LF vs LHP
  • Justin Dean (R/R) – late-inning defensive OF substitute

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(6) Potential Strategy and In-Game Management in the World Series

Starting Pitcher Usage

The Dodgers’ top four starters — Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani — have all delivered elite performances throughout this postseason. They’ve provided both dominance and stability, setting the tone for every series and powering the team into the World Series.

Because all four have maintained rhythm and stamina, Dave Roberts and the coaching staff can approach the World Series with confidence and structure. Expect something close to a standard rotation, where each of the four starters goes in sequence on regular rest. That keeps everyone fresh and maximizes each pitcher’s ability to go deep into games. It also means the Dodgers enter the World Series with arguably the deepest, most stable rotation in the entire postseason field.

Bullpen Usage

The Dodgers’ bullpen usage in October has been all about flexibility. Former starters have been repurposed as swing/long relievers. The team also has dedicated matchup pieces for specific handedness splits (Vesia for lefties, Treinen for righties), plus a true shutdown closer in Roki Sasaki.

In the World Series, the philosophy likely won’t change. Expect the Dodgers to let relievers go max-effort: high velocity, best pitch usage, empty-the-tank mentality. This is different from regular-season pacing, where relievers might hold back a tick or pitch to contact to conserve energy over 162 games. In October, it’s all about pure stuff.

But Toronto is not a casual opponent. The Blue Jays are one of the most dangerous offenses in this postseason. They have excellent rhythm at the plate and strong strike-zone discipline, which puts huge pressure on starters right away. Even with an elite rotation, the Dodgers can’t assume 6–7 easy innings every night. If a starter exits earlier than planned, the bullpen becomes decisive.

That means Roberts has to be precise with matchups:

• choosing which reliever faces which pocket of hitters,
• staggering lefty/righty looks,
• and making sure each reliever’s best weapon is aimed at the most vulnerable opposing bat.

The Dodgers’ ability to win the World Series could come down to that bullpen choreography.

Offense and Defense During Games

The Dodgers’ starting nine hasn’t changed much throughout the postseason. The core lineup is extremely stable. Off the bench, they have multiple plus defenders and high-speed role players — so they can tighten defense late without totally sacrificing offense.

Going into the World Series, there’s another layer: matchup hitting. The Blue Jays’ projected rotation leans right-handed. That means the Dodgers will likely lean a bit more on their left-handed hitters and on their switch hitters near the top/middle of the order to maximize platoon advantage. That should, in theory, make them more efficient against Toronto’s righty-heavy looks.

However, there’s a wrinkle. Some of Toronto’s top starters, like Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage, are known for dangerous splitters/split-change type pitches. That pitch is especially nasty against left-handed batters because it looks like a hittable strike, then just falls off the table. So while loading up on lefties makes sense strategically, Dodgers hitters will need a specific plan for handling that splitter action — lay off below the knees, force the pitch up, foul off borderline ones — or else Toronto can weaponize that pitch to neutralize the platoon edge.

Defensively, expect tight late-game management. Against a strong, opportunistic opponent like Toronto, these games could be close and decided in the 7th–9th innings. That makes timing of defensive substitutions critical. The Dodgers will likely continue their usual pattern:

• Protect a narrow lead by inserting Justin Dean in center and shifting Andy Pages to right,
• Using Miguel Rojas or Hyeseong Kim to reinforce infield defense,
• And generally turning the final innings into a run-prevention clinic.

On the bases, the Dodgers might actually get more aggressive than usual. They only attempted 88 steals in the regular season (22nd in MLB, bottom tier). But look at Toronto’s primary catcher, Alejandro Kirk: his regular-season caught-stealing rate was just 19.76%, and in the postseason, opponents have gone 5-for-5 stealing on him. That suggests a potential vulnerability.

Even a team that doesn’t run much, like the Dodgers, could try to exploit that. Timely steals and first-to-third aggression could generate extra runners in scoring position, disrupt Blue Jays pitchers’ rhythm, and apply pressure in otherwise low-scoring, high-leverage innings.

Strategic Summary

Functionally, the Dodgers don’t need to reinvent themselves for the World Series. Their identity — deep rotation, matchup-savvy bullpen, patient/powerful lineup, and airtight late-game defense — already works. But against a blazing-hot Blue Jays team with elite plate discipline and serious damage potential, the Dodgers will have to be razor-sharp in the details.

Defensively, that means perfecting outfield positioning, anticipating Toronto hitters’ tendencies, and cleaning up any sloppiness that could turn into extra bases. In the infield, double-play turns and situational infield alignments will matter. One misplay can flip a game in a series this tight.

On the pitching side, Roberts needs to nail every decision: when to pull a starter, which bridge reliever to trust, when to go to the handedness specialist, when to unleash Sasaki. Toronto doesn’t chase much, so any wasted matchup is dangerous.

In short: the Dodgers’ structural advantages — depth, experience, and two-way star power — are real. But they’ll only cash out those advantages if they’re tactically clean and flexible in real time.

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(7) Summary and Outlook

Overall, the Dodgers’ 2025 postseason run so far has showcased a roster that’s both balanced and battle-tested. The starting rotation has delivered elite suppression. The bullpen has adapted on the fly and found stability through role changes. The lineup continues to produce power, traffic, and timely hitting. The defense has tightened up in October through smart usage of versatile, high-range defenders.

Even though the regular season brought the usual waves — injuries, role shuffles, bullpen turbulence — the coaching staff consistently found ways to re-balance the roster. They leaned into each player’s strengths and reassigned responsibilities to fit playoff needs instead of regular-season comfort. That in-the-moment adaptability is a huge part of why they’re back in the World Series.

In other words: this Dodgers team isn’t just “stacked on paper.” They’re showing championship maturity in how they manage adversity, deploy depth, and execute high-leverage baseball. With a complete rotation, a bullpen that can be surgically matched to situations, and an offense/defense group that can toggle between firepower and run prevention, they’ve built a brutally steady playoff identity.

Now the question is whether that identity can withstand a surging Toronto Blue Jays club that’s confident, disciplined, and hungry. If the Dodgers stay sharp in defensive detail, bullpen matchups, and in-game adjustments — and if Shohei Ohtani continues to be Shohei Ohtani — they have every right to believe they can defend the crown.

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(Next Article Teaser)

That wraps up “Dodgers Postseason Outlook Analysis (Part 2/2).” From pitching staff usage to defensive deployment, we’ve seen why this team keeps crashing the World Series.

Next, we turn to the Toronto Blue Jays. We’ll break down how Toronto plans to use its roster to challenge a Dodgers team that’s deep, seasoned, and red-hot. We’ll walk through their rotation, bullpen structure, offensive firepower, tactical options, and where they might press the defending champs.

Stay tuned for “Blue Jays World Series Outlook Analysis”! ⚾🐦

Sources / References:
Fangraphs
Wikipedia
Yahoo Sports Taiwan
MLB.com
ETtoday Sports
MLB
Major League Baseball
Postseason
Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series