After a wild ALCS and anticlimactic NLCS, this year’s World Series matchup is set. The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to defend their title against the Toronto Blue Jays, who are aiming for their first championship in 32 years.
While World Series rosters have yet to be announced, this year’s Fall Classic could feature up to six former Pittsburgh Pirates players — three on each side.
The Dodgers’ three former Pirates players are all pitchers: Tyler Glasnow, Anthony Banda and Andrew Heaney, all of whom have already won World Series rings.
Glasnow, who won a World Series ring last year but missed the postseason due to injury, has been lights-out for Los Angeles in October. He boasts a 0.68 ERA and a 12.2 K/9 in these playoffs and has allowed just one earned run over his last 16 1/3 innings dating back to the regular season. There’s a good chance he starts at least one World Series game.
Meanwhile, Banda’s been sensational out of the bullpen with three scoreless appearances. He helped the Dodgers win it all last year as well and owns a 0.84 ERA in 13 career postseason appearances.
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Heaney, who previously pitched for Los Angeles in 2022, has only pitched once since rejoining them on a Minor League deal in September and has yet to appear in the playoffs. However, he’s still eligible to pitch in the postseason and is shooting for his second World Series ring in three years after winning one with the Texas Rangers in 2023.
On the Blue Jays’ side, they have catcher Tyler Heineman, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and pitcher Justin Bruihl, all of whom are seeking their first championship.
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Heineman is Alejandro Kirk’s backup and briefly appeared off the bench in ALCS Game 2, but he doesn’t figure to have much of an impact unless Kirk gets hurt. Bruihl, who spent parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, hasn’t pitched since the ALDS and may not see any action either.
IKF, on the other hand, emerged as Toronto’s starting second baseman during the ALCS, hitting safely in each of the last four games. He could play a pivotal role for the Blue Jays after they claimed him off waivers from Pittsburgh in August.
While the Pirates didn’t make the playoffs this year, some of their former players could still end up swaying the World Series.
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