Electric Dodgers surge brings Blue Jays one step closer to Teoscar Hernández showdown

As the MLB Championship Series rolls on, baseball experts across the league are making their predictions. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are each competing in their respective series and looking to capture the pennant in 2025. A potential World Series matchup between Toronto and Los Angeles would be quite the spectacle, with several storylines already in place, including the tensions between Shohei Ohtani and Blue Jays fans.

Another interesting narrative would be the showdown between Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández and his former team. Hernández was traded by the Blue Jays to Seattle in the 2022 offseason before signing with Los Angeles in 2024.

Electric Dodgers surge brings Blue Jays one step closer to Teoscar Hernández showdown

The two sides parted on good terms. Hernández didn’t have a say in the move, and Toronto got five strong seasons from him while he was on the roster. From 2018 to 2023, he provided steady production while winning two Silver Slugger Awards, and helped lead the Blue Jays to three straight postseason appearances.

Now, facing him in a Dodgers uniform carries plenty of weight. Hernández was a postseason standout for Los Angeles in 2024, racking up 25 total bases in 16 games, and hasn’t missed a beat since. His presence in the heart of the Dodgers lineup has been vital, delivering clutch hits, including a clutch Game 2 home run, and solidifying his place as one of their most reliable bats.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, may have once missed Hernández’s power in their lineup, but they’ve proven capable of succeeding without him. Still, there will be no love lost if the two teams meet again — and Hernández would almost certainly be greeted with cheers at the Rogers Centre. Here’s how both clubs can set up a World Series showdown:

Blue Jays:

Toronto evened up their ALCS series Thursday night with a decisive 8–2 win in Seattle. The Blue Jays will look to steal Game 5 on the road before returning home for Game 6, which could be the clincher, depending on how things play out.

Toronto enters Game 5 with momentum on their side, while Seattle’s bullpen looks worn down heading into the latter stage of the series. The Blue Jays will count on their hot bats to close out the final three games.

Dodgers:

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are on the verge of advancing after taking a 3–0 lead over Milwaukee, with two games still to play in Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani is expected to get the ball as they look to finish off what’s been a dominant series so far. With every part of their roster clicking, all the Dodgers need is one more win to avoid any chance of a historic collapse against a Brewers team that looks spent.