Blue Jays vs. Dodgers WS Game 3 Prediction & Preview (October 27, 2025)
The 2025 World Series heads to Los Angeles tied at one game apiece — and Game 3 has “momentum swing” written all over it. Both teams have flexed their strengths: Toronto exploded in Game 1 with relentless offense, while the Dodgers punched back in Game 2 behind a dominant Yoshinobu Yamamoto performance. Now, with the series shifting to Dodger Stadium, every pitch starts to feel heavier.
For bettors, this is where things get interesting. The Blue Jays come in as the scrappy underdog, armed with plate discipline and a lineup that can grind out tough at-bats. The Dodgers, on the other hand, return home with elite pitching depth and one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball.
Max Scherzer and Tyler Glasnow take the mound in what could be the most pivotal matchup of the series. One slip — one misplaced fastball — could decide it. I’ve broken down every angle that matters, from pitching matchups and betting trends to prop value and total movement. Let’s dive in.
Game Info Snapshot
- Matchup: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
- Date & Time: Monday, October 27, 2025 — 8:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Series Status: Tied 1-1 heading into Game 3
- Odds (ESPN BET):
- Blue Jays +1.5 (-125)
- Dodgers −1.5 (+105)
- Moneyline: Blue Jays +165 | Dodgers −190
- Total: Over 8.5 (-105) | Under 8.5 (-115)
- Why it matters: Shift to LA gives the Dodgers a chance to seize momentum; the underdog Blue Jays need to respond.
Starting Pitchers & Match-Up Dynamics
Pitching defines postseason baseball — and Game 3 delivers a fascinating contrast between experience and explosiveness. Max Scherzer brings decades of big-game mileage, while Tyler Glasnow offers raw power and swing-and-miss potential. Both can dominate… or unravel. The outcome may hinge on which version of these arms shows up under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium.
Toronto Starter: Max Scherzer (RHP)
Scherzer’s name still commands respect. The three-time Cy Young winner has built a career on bulldog mentality and precision command. But at 41, his velocity isn’t what it used to be, and his margin for error has thinned. When his fastball rides high and his slider bites, he’s still lethal. When either flattens, the long ball becomes a problem — especially against a power-heavy Dodgers lineup.
Los Angeles Starter: Tyler Glasnow (RHP)
Glasnow is the polar opposite — electric stuff, strikeout machine, and still searching for complete consistency. He’s posted a 0.68 ERA this postseason, but his walk rate remains the red flag. Against a patient Blue Jays team that thrives on deep counts, every extra baserunner matters.
What to Watch Between the Starters:
- Command vs. Control: Scherzer’s command must offset Glasnow’s higher velocity.
- Early Efficiency: First-pitch strikes are key; whoever gets ahead will dictate tempo.
- Durability: Scherzer needs to reach the sixth to protect Toronto’s bullpen. Glasnow must avoid long counts that drive up his pitch total.
- The Long Ball: One hanging slider or misplaced fastball could swing the total — both lineups have the power to punish mistakes.
In short, Scherzer brings steadiness, Glasnow brings volatility. The arm that steadies first likely dictates the flow — and the winning ticket — of Game 3.
Team Trends & Recent Form
Momentum matters in October — and both teams have already shown flashes of what makes them dangerous. The Blue Jays are playing with house money as the road underdog, while the Dodgers return home looking every bit like the powerhouse they’ve been all season. Each club has strengths that line up perfectly against the other, setting up an intriguing Game 3 clash.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto thrives on contact and composure. They’re not the most explosive offense on paper, but they grind pitchers down with smart at-bats and timely hits. Their 11–4 win in Game 1 was a clinic in patience and power, sparked by a grand slam that broke things wide open. Even when they lose, they tend to hang around — exactly what bettors look for in a +1.5 run-line team.
What stands out most about the Blue Jays:
- Elite plate discipline: One of the lowest strikeout rates in the majors.
- Resilient lineup: Multiple players hitting above .300 this postseason.
- Underdog grit: 5–2 ATS this postseason when listed as an underdog.
- Bullpen volatility: Effective when rested, but high leverage exposes cracks.
Still, Toronto’s biggest challenge is performing on the road. Away from Rogers Centre, their offense dips in slugging and run production — and Dodger Stadium is no easy place to score.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are built for moments like this. After dropping Game 1, they looked every bit like a championship favorite in Game 2 — methodical, patient, and relentless. Their rotation has settled in, their bullpen is fresh, and their lineup remains stacked from top to bottom.
The Dodgers’ strengths entering Game 3:
- Home dominance: 56–25 home record during the regular season.
- Top-tier power: League-leading ISO at home — they don’t need many hits to do damage.
- Postseason poise: Consistently strong bounce-back performances after losses.
- Bullpen risk: Relievers carry a postseason ERA north of 6.00, so no lead feels fully safe.
The series shift back to LA plays right into their rhythm. The Dodgers feed off the crowd, and Glasnow’s home splits have been superb. If they grab an early lead, the Blue Jays will be fighting uphill all night.
Bottom line — the Blue Jays are the scrappy, disciplined spoiler, and the Dodgers are the confident, well-oiled machine. Game 3 will test whether patience can outlast power.
Key X-Factors & Match-up Variables
- Glasnow’s walk rate: If he issues multiple free passes, Toronto will bite. Prop value here.
- Scherzer’s length: If he can eat through 6+ innings, Toronto keeps the game within reach.
- Big innings: Both clubs can strike with power; an explosive inning could tilt total goes Over.
- Home crowd & environment: LA at night, October playoff vibe — picture the energy and how it might buoy the Dodgers.
- Psychology: Tied series, away team underdog (Toronto), home team favored (LA) — pressure is heavier on the fav.
- Late surprises: Injury news, bullpen throws, lineup tweaks — keep an eye on pre-game updates.
Betting Landscape & Odds Context
The betting market for Game 3 paints a clear picture — the Dodgers are favored, but not by an insurmountable margin. Sports betting sites respect Toronto’s ability to stay competitive, especially with Scherzer on the mound. Still, Los Angeles holds the edge with home-field advantage, a deeper lineup, and Glasnow’s current postseason form. This is the type of game where sharp bettors look beyond the moneyline and focus on value in spreads, totals, and props.
Here’s how the Game 3 odds and betting angles break down:
- Run Line: Dodgers −1.5 (+105) | Blue Jays +1.5 (−125)
- The run line reflects modest confidence in LA. The +1.5 on Toronto offers protection in what’s projected to be a fairly tight game.
- Moneyline: Dodgers −190 | Blue Jays +165
- Implied probability gives LA around a 66% chance to win. There’s value on the underdog if Scherzer can hang early and Toronto’s bats work Glasnow deep into counts.
- Total (Over/Under 8.5): Over (−105) | Under (−115)
- The total suggests moderate scoring. Given both lineups’ ability to explode for multi-run innings, a slight lean toward the Over makes sense — especially if either bullpen sees heavy use.
- Market Movement: Early action has been balanced, with sharp bettors eyeing the Over and Blue Jays +1.5. Watch for late steam toward LA if weather and lineups confirm as expected.
- Prop Opportunities:
- Tyler Glasnow Over 1.5 Walks (due to Toronto’s patience).
- Freddie Freeman Over 1.5 Total Bases (strong matchup vs. Scherzer).
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RBI +120 (great situational hitter with men on).
- Public vs. Sharp Split: Public money favors the Dodgers on the moneyline, while sharper action appears to lean toward the Blue Jays’ spread and Over total — a classic “close game, late offense” profile.
In short, Game 3 offers a rare mix of public favorite vs. value underdog. If you believe the Dodgers’ firepower will overwhelm, lay the −1.5. But if you trust Toronto’s patience to keep it close, grab the +1.5 and ride the Over for late fireworks.
Our Best Bets
Game 3 offers a tight, nuanced betting board — exactly the kind of setup sharp bettors love. With both teams evenly matched in momentum but differing in makeup, the value lies in side angles rather than heavy moneyline action. Here are my top three plays for tonight’s showdown, backed by matchup data and situational trends.
1. Dodgers −1.5 (+105) — Confidence: 7/10
Confidence Level: 7/10
This is a classic spot for Los Angeles to flex its depth. Back at home with Glasnow on the mound, the Dodgers have every edge you want in a run-line play: pitching momentum, lineup power, and situational control. LA has covered the −1.5 spread in 11 of its last 15 postseason wins at Dodger Stadium.
Why it makes sense:
- Home dominance: The Dodgers were 56–25 at home in the regular season, with a +118 run differential.
- Offensive edge: Their lineup leads all postseason teams in hard-hit rate (45%) and runs scored after the 6th inning.
- Scherzer regression: His fly-ball rate (47%) and reduced velocity make him vulnerable to LA’s power bats.
- Middle-inning burst potential: Freeman, Betts, and Smith all slug above .500 in home games this postseason.
If Glasnow delivers a clean first three innings, the Dodgers’ offense should take over once Scherzer fatigues. Expect a two-run cushion by the 8th — and a confident home crowd sealing it late.
2. Tyler Glasnow Over 1.5 Walks (−120) — Confidence: 6/10
Confidence Level: 6/10
Glasnow’s biggest opponent isn’t the Blue Jays — it’s his own command. He’s walked multiple batters in three straight playoff starts, and Toronto’s patient lineup is built to exploit pitchers like him. Glasnow throws hard, but when his fastball command wavers, he tends to nibble around the edges.
Supporting angles:
- Trend consistency: Glasnow has walked 2+ in 7 of his last 9 starts overall.
- Matchup pressure: The Blue Jays rank top-five in pitches per plate appearance (4.01) and top-eight in team walk rate (9.1%).
- Leadoff discipline: Toronto’s top four hitters average a combined .380 OBP against right-handers.
- Count control: Glasnow starts 0-1 just 57% of the time — below league average.
Add in postseason nerves and a tight strike zone, and this over looks like a high-probability cash before the sixth inning. Don’t overthink it — control risk travels, and the Blue Jays make you pay for every mistake.
3. Over 8.5 Total Runs (−105) — Confidence: 5/10
Confidence Level: 5/10
The total here screams volatility — two starters with question marks, two lineups capable of fireworks, and bullpens that can’t quite close the door. We’ve seen 15 and 6 runs in the first two games, and that range perfectly fits the Over profile. Even if early innings stay quiet, this one sets up for a bullpen-driven surge late.
Reasons to lean Over:
- Both lineups rank top-five in postseason OPS and extra-base hits.
- Bullpen cracks: Dodgers relievers carry a postseason ERA above 6.00; Toronto’s isn’t much better at 4.75.
- Weather boost: Mild night temps in LA (mid-70s) with light wind out to left field favor fly balls carrying further.
- Big-inning history: In 5 of the last 7 Dodger Stadium playoff games with totals under 9 runs, at least one inning saw 3+ runs scored.
This isn’t a pitching duel — it’s a war of attrition between two lineups built to capitalize once starters exit. Look for a slow start, a middle-inning spark, and a lively finish that pushes this Over home in the eighth or ninth.
In short: ride the Dodgers’ depth, target Glasnow’s control for prop value, and trust both offenses to do what they do best — find barrels and light up the scoreboard.
Can the Blue Jays Steal One on the Road?
It’s hard not to respect what Toronto’s accomplished this postseason. They’ve outperformed expectations, showing grit, balance, and a lineup that simply refuses to chase bad pitches. If Scherzer can summon one more vintage performance and the bats stay patient, the Blue Jays absolutely have the tools to keep this game tight — or even steal it late. Their +1.5 run line isn’t just a safety net; it’s a legitimate value play given how disciplined this team can be in high-pressure spots.
But the Dodgers are built for these moments. Glasnow has looked sharp when working ahead, and Los Angeles thrives in front of their home crowd — they’ve won nine of their last eleven postseason games at Dodger Stadium. Between Betts, Freeman, and Smith, this lineup wears down pitching staffs and feasts on mistakes. Combine that with bullpen depth and home-field energy, and LA has the edge to break the series open.
Final Score Prediction: Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 3
Final Takeaways: Expect a competitive game that leans toward LA’s power and postseason experience. The Blue Jays will battle, but the Dodgers’ balance, command, and clutch hitting should be enough to take Game 3 — and control of the 2025 World Series.
