Exciting Sports Week Kicks Off with Major Events Across Leagues

The week of October 31 to November 1, 2025, marks a unique convergence in the sporting calendar, as all four major North American sports leagues engage fans with regular and postseason games. Following a thrilling Game 7 between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, the winner will advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, set to begin on Friday.

As Major League Baseball winds down, the NBA season launches on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the NHL is in its third week, and the NFL is approaching the midpoint of its season. With college football and high school sports also in full swing, sports enthusiasts have plenty to watch this week.

Local Highlights and Key Matchups

In local high school football, all teams in the Times-Herald coverage area, except ELITE High School, secured victories last week. Notably, Vallejo High School achieved a commanding win over Pinole Valley, improving their record to 5-2. Bethel High School rebounded from a heart-wrenching loss to St. Patrick-St. Vincent by defeating Albany at home. St. Patrick-St. Vincent continued its winning streak with a dominant victory over Richmond, while Benicia triumphed in a tighter contest against Northgate.

This week’s matchups include Bethel facing Hercules at home and St. Patrick-St. Vincent hosting Kennedy on Friday night. Vallejo, Benicia, and American Canyon will all be on the road, with Vallejo taking on El Cerrito, Benicia visiting Alhambra, and American Canyon playing Napa. St. Patrick-St. Vincent is currently tied with Kennedy in the Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division, both teams boasting 2-0 records.

In girls’ volleyball, Bethel faced Richmond in the semifinals of the Tri-County Athletic League playoffs. A win would set them up against the winner of the Vallejo-El Cerrito match in the finals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, American Canyon is set to play their regular season finale against Petaluma on Tuesday.

Major League Baseball to Launch World Series

The anticipation for the World Series is palpable, beginning on November 1, 2025. The Seattle Mariners or Toronto Blue Jays will represent the American League following the conclusion of their playoff series. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have dominated the postseason with a 9-1 record, remain a formidable opponent.

Last week, Shohei Ohtani delivered an extraordinary performance, hitting three home runs and pitching six shutout innings, solidifying his status as a key player in the series. The Dodgers have yet to lose a road game in the playoffs and swept the Mariners during their regular season meetings.

As the World Series approaches, fans are eager to see if the Dodgers can maintain their dominance or if the Mariners or Blue Jays can disrupt their momentum.

The NBA season also kicks off on Tuesday, with the Golden State Warriors playing against the Los Angeles Lakers. The game will feature star players like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, while LeBron James is sidelined due to injury. The Warriors aim for their fifth title in a decade, while the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Houston Rockets in another opening night matchup.

The Warriors will play their home opener on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets and will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. This season also sees a change in broadcasting as the former TNT crew joins ESPN, leaving fans curious about the new format.

In college football, local teams are set for action with California visiting Virginia Tech on Friday and Stanford facing Miami on Saturday. Notable games nationwide include UCLA taking on Indiana, ranked No. 2, and Ole Miss battling Oklahoma, ranked No. 8.

As the NFL season progresses, the San Francisco 49ers hold a 5-2 record despite ongoing injuries. They face the Houston Texans this week, while the Las Vegas Raiders enjoy a bye week. Other matchups of interest include the New York Giants visiting the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears aiming for their fifth consecutive win against Baltimore.

In the NHL, the San Jose Sharks continue their challenging season, having lost all five games thus far. They will face the New York Rangers and New York Islanders on the road this week, looking for their first victory.

As this exciting week unfolds, sports fans have a plethora of games to choose from, with high stakes and thrilling matchups across all leagues. The upcoming days promise to be a highlight in the sporting calendar, offering something for everyone to enjoy.