John Schneider and his Toronto Blue Jays have been battling the underdog narrative all season.
So, as Toronto gears up for a World Series matchup with a loaded Los Angeles Dodgers roster, Schneider isn’t phased by any outside narratives about how the two squads compare.
“Sure,” the Blue Jays manager said at Thursday’s workout day when asked about pundits calling the 2025 Fall Classic a David vs. Goliath matchup. “Two best teams left standing. Again, built differently, have different strengths. There’s a reason we are here and there’s a reason they’re there.”
Led by Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers feature a $396 million payroll and a lineup chock full of former MVPs, Cy Young winners and World Series champions.
“I think the one thing we cannot do is look over there and say that is Goliath. That is a beatable baseball team that has its flaws, and that has its really, really good strengths,” Schneider added. “How we expose each of them will determine who wins the series.
“And I got all the confidence in the world in my guys.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked the same question later Thursday.
“We got really good players, they got really good players. So the great thing about baseball is anything can happen,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be a great series. These guys are on a high right now, so we’re expecting a battle. So we certainly don’t see it that way.”
Ernie Clement had his own take on the idea that the Blue Jays are David in this series.
“David won, didn’t he?” The Toronto infielder replied.
For its part, Toronto brings its own cast of all-stars into the series, one that helped the club rack up 94 wins in the regular season and earn home-field advantage in this best-of-seven.
And as he’s done all season, Schneider will continue to ride with his guys.
“I’ll say it until the day I die with this group: I’ll put this group of 26 up against anybody,” he said. “And they’re looking forward to taking on what is on paper the best team in baseball, that is playing really well right now, and I don’t think they would have it any other way.”
The Blue Jays will get their first opportunity to stack up during Friday’s Game 1 at Rogers Centre. Toronto’s Trey Yesavage will take the ball against L.A.’s Blake Snell. You can catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, with first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
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