Canada’s PM Carney Challenges Trump to World Series Bet as Blue Jays and Dodgers Face Off
In a light-hearted exchange that highlights the excitement surrounding the upcoming World Series, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has playfully called out President Donald Trump for being “afraid” to engage in a friendly sports wager. Speaking to the Associated Press on Thursday, Carney joked that Trump “doesn’t like to lose” and hasn’t returned his call about placing a bet on the championship series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The prime minister confidently predicted a Blue Jays victory in six games, reflecting the national enthusiasm spreading across Canada as their team advances to baseball’s biggest stage for the first time in over three decades. “The country is so pumped. I think the world is pumped for this series,” Carney remarked with obvious pride, adding that the Blue Jays have “depth” and “fire” that he believes will carry them through a competitive but ultimately successful series.
The playful challenge from north of the border came amid questions about Trump’s gambling habits, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responding to reporters during Thursday’s media briefing. Following a question related to the FBI’s arrest of three NBA figures in an illegal gambling investigation, Leavitt stated that she doesn’t believe the president engages in sports betting. “I don’t think he’s a big gambler,” she noted, adding that despite spending considerable time with Trump, she had “not seen him gamble before.” This exchange highlights the contrast between the casual sports enthusiasm demonstrated by the Canadian leader and the more reserved approach to gambling apparently taken by his American counterpart, all against the backdrop of one of sports’ premier international competitions.
The stakes are particularly high for both teams as they head into this World Series matchup. The Toronto Blue Jays are seeking their first championship since their back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993, representing not just a team but an entire nation’s baseball aspirations. Canadian fans have waited patiently for thirty-one years to see their team return to baseball’s pinnacle, and the atmosphere at Rogers Centre in Toronto promises to be electric. For the Dodgers, the challenge is different but equally compelling – they’re aiming to cement their status as a modern dynasty by capturing their second consecutive championship after winning it all in 2024. With odds favoring Los Angeles at -220 (implying a 68.75% probability of victory), the Dodgers enter as favorites, but the Blue Jays have embraced their underdog status throughout their playoff run.
As Game 1 approaches on Friday at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, both teams have announced their starting pitchers for the crucial opening contest. The Dodgers will turn to veteran Blake Snell, whose postseason experience and dominant pitching arsenal make him a formidable opponent on any mound. The Blue Jays are countering with a bold strategy, sending rookie sensation Trey Yesavage to face the powerful Dodgers lineup. This decision underscores Toronto’s confidence in their young talent and willingness to take calculated risks on baseball’s biggest stage. Despite playing at home, the Blue Jays enter as underdogs for the opener, with Los Angeles favored at -150 and Toronto at +125, while oddsmakers have set the over/under total at 7.5 runs – suggesting a tightly contested pitching duel could be in store.
The World Series matchup transcends the typical sports rivalry, taking on international dimensions as Canada’s sole Major League Baseball franchise faces off against one of the most storied franchises in American sports history. The series arrives at a time when relations between the United States and Canada remain strong but occasionally complicated by political and trade disagreements, making this friendly sports challenge between leaders a refreshing demonstration of the cultural ties that bind the two nations. Baseball has long served as a diplomatic bridge between countries, and this high-profile series offers a reminder of how sports can temporarily suspend political differences in favor of shared appreciation for athletic excellence and competitive spirit.
As fans on both sides of the border prepare for what promises to be a thrilling best-of-seven series, the playful exchange between Carney and Trump adds an intriguing subplot to the baseball drama about to unfold. Whether or not the two leaders eventually agree to a friendly wager remains to be seen, but the mere suggestion has already captured public imagination and added another layer of interest to an already compelling matchup. For baseball purists and casual fans alike, the 2025 World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers represents the perfect blend of star power, historical significance, and international flavor – with Game 1 set to begin the drama that will captivate millions across North America and beyond. As Carney so aptly put it: “It’s going to go deep. It’s going to be a great series.”
