Foul Territory: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series X-Factors

Foul Territory hosts (and former MLB catchers) AJ Pierzynski and Erik Kratz have given their X-Factors for the Dodgers and Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 World Series.

They took very different routes with their answers.

Erik Kratz

Max Muncy – Los Angeles Dodgers, 3B

With only three southpaw pitchers on the projected World Series roster, it’s going to be tough for Toronto manager John Schneider to neutralize the star-studded LA lefty bats. Muncy is separated far enough from legendary left-handed hitters Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, as well as the switch-hitting Tommy Edman, so he will have a chance to mash against right-handed relievers.

Nathan Lukes – Toronto Blue Jays, OF

As the hitter right before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the Blue Jays lineup, Lukes will need to get on base in order to get the pressure cooking for the LA pitching staff. Kratz doesn’t think the Dodgers are afraid of Vladdy–he says they’ll challenge him with nobody on base but not with traffic on the bases (besides bases loaded of course).

AJ Pierzynski 

Dodgers Relievers Not Named Roki Sasaki or Alex Vesia

Outside of Roki Sasaki and Alex Vesia combining for an ERA of 2.13, the Dodgers bullpen has struggled mightily with a 7.53 postseason ERA. With the LA rotation destined to come back down to earth a bit, the rest of their pen will need to step up, or Dave Roberts will be pressed with difficult choices to make in the late stages of these games.

Blue Jays Lefty Relievers

The Jays are in for a challenge trying to establish lanes for their relievers against the Dodgers, particularly their left-handed hitters. Which southpaw will get the call in the late stages against bats like Ohtani and Freeman–and can he get the job done after those stars get multiple looks at him throughout the series?

Check out the latest episode of Foul Territory below.