The Boston Red Sox in 2025 returned to the postseason for the first time in four years, but their October run ended quite early in the Wild Card round. Luckily, there are a fair few former Red Sox fans can root for in the upcoming World Series matchup.
Boston's American League East rival Toronto Blue Jays will take on the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, beginning Friday, October 24. A second-straight championship would officially put LA in the running to be called baseball's next Superteam. The Blue Jays will compete in their first World Series appearance since they won back-to-back titles in 1992-93.
Red Sox fans might have a hard time finding a rooting interest here since Toronto is a division rival and the Dodgers are, well.. the Dodgers. Here, we'll tell you which former Sox players are up for a ring this October so you can cheer for their team, or for them individually.
6 former Red Sox players can win a World Series ring in Dodgers-Blue Jays matchup
Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is going for his fourth World Series ring, his third as a Dodger, this October. The veteran moved to shortstop this year to fill a gap in LA's infield, and he's fared quite well given his lack of experience. Betts got off to a rough start at the plate this season, possibly due to a stomach illness that caused him to drop nearly 30 pounds during spring training, but he's looked like his usual self during the postseason, with a .293/.370/.439, an .809 OPS, five extra-base hits and six RBI.
Kiké Hernández
October Kiké Hernández is back, and he's incredibly fun to watch. The veteran utility player always seems to be able to ramp up his production for the playoffs, and he's slashing .306/.375/.417 with four doubles and four RBI through the first three rounds en route to the World Series.
Red Sox fans have fond memories of Hernández's electric 2021 postseason run, which ended in the ALCS against the Astros. Hernández batted .408/.423/.837 with a 1.260 OPS, four doubles, a triple, five homers and nine RBI over 11 games in his lone playoff chase with Boston.
Luis Garcia
Craig Breslow traded for reliever Luis Garcia at the 2024 trade deadline in a move that didn't go according to plan. The righty struggled in a Red Sox uniform, and landed on the injured list with elbow inflammation soon after the trade.
The Dodgers signed Garcia to a minor league deal over the offseason, and he posted a 5.27 ERA for them over 27.1 innings before he was designated for assignment and released in June. Garcia pitched for the Dodgers this season, so he'll win a ring if they go back-to-back.
Michael Kopech
The Red Sox drafted righty starter-turned-reliever Michael Kopech in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He never appeared in the big leagues for Boston, as it traded him to the White Sox as part of the 2016 Chris Sale trade.
Kopech pitched just 11 innings for LA during the regular season due to a shoulder impingement and knee inflammation, which both required stints on the 60-day IL. Still, he'll get a ring if the Dodgers win the World Series.
Noah Davis
Before the 2025 season, Boston signed reliever Noah Davis to a minor league deal. The Sox traded him to the Dodgers for cash considerations before the campaign began. His tenure in LA was short after he allowed 13 runs in six innings pitched over five appearances.
As with Garcia and Kopech, Davis is eligible for a ring if the Dodgers win.
Tyler Heineman
Tyler Heineman is the lone Blue Jay on this list. The Red Sox traded for the catcher for cash considerations before the 2024 campaign, then designated him for assignment in September after he appeared in just two games for them.
The Blue Jays picked Heineman up after the Sox let him go, and he batted .289/.361/.416 in 64 games this season. He's appeared in just one postseason game so far.