The Toronto Blue Jays stand on the brink of triumph in the 2025 World Series, facing off against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven contest, the Blue Jays are tantalizingly close to securing their first championship since their back-to-back victories in 1992 and 1993. The Dodgers, conversely, find themselves in a precarious position, needing to win every remaining game to continue their reign.
Whether the World Series concludes on Friday or Saturday remains to be seen, but one fact is undeniable: the climax is imminent. Considering this, CBS Sports opted to dedicate time assessing the contenders for the World Series’ Most Valuable Player award.
In reality, singling out one player as superior in this World Series is a difficult undertaking. Only one contest has been determined by a margin of fewer than four runs, specifically the 18-inning extended game that the Dodgers ultimately won in Game 3. Otherwise, there have been scant opportunities for individual performances to seize the spotlight.
Nonetheless, join us as we examine five viable candidates through Game 5 for the coveted honor.
Guerrero has several factors in his favor. He has achieved at least one hit in each of the five games played thus far, with multiple-hit performances in three of those. He initiated the scoring in Games 4 and 5, respectively extending the Blue Jays advantage. Guerrero is also a straightforward selection from a storytelling perspective, having committed to a long-term contract earlier this year, rather than entering free agency this offseason. While this aspect won’t be reflected in statistics, it shouldn’t discount a writer’s affinity for uncomplicated narrative, especially in a closely contested field without a definitive leader.
In the past, three rookies have been bestowed with the World Series MVP award: Jeremy Peña (’22), Livan Hernandez (’97), and Larry Sherry (’59). Yesavage presented his credentials to potentially become the fourth in Game 5, surpassing Don Newcombe’s rookie record for strikeouts by achieving 12 against the Dodgers. While that showing was undeniably remarkable, voters might consider his somewhat unremarkable Game 1 outing against him. To reiterate, Yesavage left the game after allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in four innings. Irrespective of its significance: Yesavage possesses the second-highest Championship Win Probability Added among Blue Jays players, only surpassed by Eric Lauer, who contributed several scoreless innings in the lengthy Game 3.
If voters are unswayed by Guerrero or Yesavage, Barger presents a commendable case for consideration. He has accumulated multiple hits in four of the initial five games of the series. This includes hitting a grand slam that decisively broke open Game 1 and either scoring or batting in a run in Games 3, 4, and 5. Barger also 1) achieved an assist in Game 3 and 2) was among CBS Sports’ picks for postseason breakout performers.
Bobby Richardson (1960) is the singular World Series MVP recipient in history to have played for the losing team. Ohtani will likely not become the second, but if he were to, it would stem from his exceptional Game 3 display, marked by four extra-base hits (including two home runs) and reaching base a record-breaking nine times. Dodgers right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched a complete game in Game 2, would also enter the conversation if he were to deliver another stellar performance as part of his Game 6 start.
Kirk holds the third-highest CWPA among Blue Jays hitters, having driven in six runs on six hits, which included a pair of home runs. His narrative candidacy would be more persuasive had the Blue Jays maintained the 3-2 advantage he established with a three-run homer during the middle innings of Game 3. Otherwise, his most impactful offensive contributions to this series haven’t occurred during the most critical moments — at least not yet.
2025 World Series MVP odds
Odds via FanDuel as of Oct. 30
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: -195
- Shohei Ohtani: +250
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: +1300
- Alejandro Kirk: +2200
- Addison Barger: +2700
- Trey Yesavage: +6500
