Blue Jays Named 2025 World Series Favorites for First Time

The Toronto Blue Jays’ wild surge in 2025 has turned the baseball world—and the betting markets—on their heads. Not long ago, most folks wrote them off as outsiders with almost no shot at making postseason noise.

Now, they’re sitting as firm favorites to win the World Series. After a commanding 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5, Toronto’s odds have shot up to -250, showing just how much confidence fans and bookmakers have in them right now.

From Longshots to Heavy Favorites

Back in April, nobody really thought the Blue Jays would be in this position. They started the year at a whopping +7,500 to win it all—nowhere near the top 20 in preseason projections.

For months, everyone kept talking about powerhouse teams like the Dodgers, who’d been the favorites almost all year. Injuries slowed Los Angeles down, while Toronto’s steady progress started to catch some attention.

The Turning Point

By midseason, Toronto shifted from fringe contenders at +4,000 to a more believable +1,000 in August. When autumn arrived, they dropped into single-digit odds and entered the playoffs at 8-to-1.

They kept climbing. Heading into the World Series, they were at +185, just behind the Dodgers. Now, with a 3-2 series lead, they’ve flipped the script completely.

Historical Context: Game 5 Advantage

This isn’t just about hot streaks—it’s about numbers and history. In a tied best-of-seven World Series, the team that wins Game 5 goes on to win the championship about 68% of the time.

Under the modern 2-3-2 format, where the Game 5 winner gets the last two at home, that number jumps to 74%. The Blue Jays head back to Rogers Centre with two chances to clinch their third World Series title.

Dodgers Face Uphill Battle

The Dodgers opened last offseason as -400 favorites and held the top spot most of 2025. Now, they’re sitting at +200 to pull off a comeback.

It’s a tough spot. Road teams in the late stages of a World Series rarely get much help—not from bookmakers, not from the crowd, and definitely not from a confident opponent playing at home.

Key Matchup in Game 6

All eyes are on Game 6. Toronto will send Kevin Gausman to the mound—a guy who’s shown he can handle the pressure when it matters most.

The Dodgers counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the talented Japanese righty who’s turned heads in his first MLB season. Even down in the series, the Dodgers are slight favorites at -140 to win Game 6 and force a Game 7.

Gausman vs. Yamamoto: Styles Make the Fight

Gausman brings a high-octane fastball and a nasty splitter. Yamamoto relies on pinpoint control and sneaky breaking stuff.

This duel isn’t just about one game—it could shape how we remember this entire Fall Classic. Who knows which style will win out?

Factors Driving Toronto’s Success

What’s behind the Jays’ rise? It’s a mix of things, honestly:

• Pitching depth – Strong starting rotation and a bullpen that’s been tough all year.
• Timely hitting – Big bats coming through when it counts.
• Defensive stability – Not giving away extra bases or making costly errors.
• Adaptability – Tweaking their approach midseason to answer opponents’ strengths.

Fan Energy and Home Field Advantage

Coming back to Toronto gives the Blue Jays a real mental edge. The Rogers Centre crowd has been electric all postseason, giving players a boost and making things tough for the opposition.

If Game 6 starts leaning the Jays’ way early, that energy could end up being the difference. It’s hard to measure, but you can feel it.

Outlook for the Remainder of the Series

Statistically, the Jays have the edge. Momentum, home field, and their recent form all seem to favor a celebration in Toronto.

The Dodgers, though, know a thing or two about adversity. With Yamamoto taking the mound, they’ve still got hope to push this series further.

The Blue Jays now sit on the brink of their third championship. The baseball world watches, maybe a little stunned, as a narrative once improbable starts to feel real.

Is the next chapter a final flourish or a wild twist? Honestly, it’s all riding on what happens in Game 6.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Blue Jays Tabbed as World Series Favorites for 1st Time in 2025