Dodgers can't ignore widespread implications of Bo Bichette's return for World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been nearly flawless throughout October, with just a single blemish against the Philadelphia Phillies on their record. As they've been steamrolling the competition, it might be easy to think the good times will continue. However, things are about to get a whole lot tougher from here on out.

Not only is the pressure amplified because this will be for all the marbles, but also because the Toronto Blue Jays are a worthy opponent. Not only that, but they're about to become that much more formidable with the return of injured star Bo Bichette.

Blue Jays getting Bo Bichette back for World Series matchup vs Dodgers

If there has been an overarching theme during the Dodgers' run up to the World Series, it has been dominant performances from the starters. Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have been nearly invincible, Shohei Ohtani has dazzled in ways that seemed unimaginable, and Tyler Glasnow has been no slouch himself.

But the Blue Jays will present a new and unique challenge. Toronto is the best contact-hitting team in the league, leading the majors with a .265 average and coming in fourth in runs scored with 798. A big force driving that production has been Bichette.

Bichette hasn't played since Sept. 6, thanks to a sprained knee he suffered in a collision at home plate. Prior to that, the 27-year-old had been one of the Jays' offensive engines, authoring a .311/.357/.483 line with 18 homers over 139 games.

Toronto hasn't been struggling for offense, but his return lengthens their lineup further and adds another impact bat that provides both contact and power.

With that will come some shuffling. A shortstop by trade, Bichette's glove work leaves a lot to be desired, as his -12 DRS was the worst mark at the position in the entire league. That means the Blue Jays likely want to keep defensive whiz Andres Gimenez in the lineup at shortstop, with Bichette sliding in at DH.

George Springer, who has been occupying the DH spot, will probably slide into a corner outfield spot. From there, the merry-go-round keeps spinning, sending Addison Barger from right field back to the hot corner, Ernie Clement from third base to second, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the keystone to the bench.

In the midst of all that shuffling, the Jays replace Kiner-Falefa's 75 wRC+ bat with Bichette's 134 mark. To call that an upgrade would be an understatement.

Throughout their 11-game playoff run, the Blue Jays have put together a collective .296/.355/.523 line without Bichette. Now with the star back in the fold, the lineup the Dodgers must navigate will be significantly more fearsome. LA better hope it takes Bichette some time to knock off the rust because otherwise this will be the toughest task the Dodgers hurlers have had to face thus far.