Let’s talk about what stacks up as a historic World Series. For the first time since 1981, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees will battle for the ultimate prize in Major League Baseball. Even though that matchup has been the most common championship battle in the history of the Fall Classic, it’s been more than 40 years since fans were treated to the two biggest names in the league fighting for supremacy.
The Yankees needed five games to advance past the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series. The Dodgers needed six games to dispose of the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series.
Both teams will get plenty of rest and be ready to roll out fresh pitching and focused hitters in the World Series with five days between the end of the NLCS and the start of the Series.
The Bats
The focus will be on the overwhelming favorites to be named the Most Valuable Player in their respective leagues this year: Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. But there are more players in the lineup than just one for each side.The Yankees’ hottest hitter has been Gleyber Torres, who had a team-leading eight hits in the ALCS. Juan Soto, who is set to hit the free agent market this winter, saw three of his seven hits in the series leave the ballpark while all four of Giancarlo Stanton’s hits were home runs. Stanton (seven) and Soto (six) combined to drive in 13 of the Yankees’ 29 runs in the five-game series.
New York has also been incredibly patient in the postseason. They drew 25 walks in the ALCS. While that patience led to plenty of free passes, the Yankees also struck out 49 times in the five-game set, including eight each from Judge and Jazz Chisholm, Jr.
The Dodgers struck gold at the trade deadline in many ways, perhaps the most noticeable of which was acquiring utility man Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade. Edman was injured when he was traded, but came on down the stretch to earn a role in the lineup. All he did against the Mets was lead the Dodgers with 11 hits and 11 runs batted in en route to being named the NLCS MVP.
Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Andy Pages and Max Muncy hit two home runs each in the NLCS. Muncy also drew 11 walks to post an astronomical .630 on-base percentage in the championship series.
Los Angeles will keep a close eye on the health of first baseman Freddie Freeman and need more from outfielder Teoscar Hernández (who was only 2-for-22 in the NLCS) to balance their lineup. Even with the struggles of a couple key players, the Dodgers scored 46 runs in their six-game win in the championship series.
The Arms
The top of the Yankees’ rotation is one of the biggest names in the majors, but Gerrit Cole lasted only 4.1 innings in his ALCS appearance. He walked as many batters as he struck out (four) and allowed six hits. The Pinstripes will need him to be a dominant ace in this series.New York’s bullpen ultimately got it done in the series, but it wasn’t without a few anxious moments. Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver both allowed three earned runs in the ALCS. The Yankees struck out 47 Guardians but also issued 26 free passes in the championship series.
The Dodgers got a fantastic Game One start from Jack Flaherty, who they also acquired at the trade deadline. He got hit around pretty well in his second start in the series, however. The other pitcher they acquired at the deadline—in the same trade as Edman—will be a key in their bullpen. Michael Kopech has been a revelation since coming over from the White Sox.
X-Factors
The Yankees have big names up and down their lineup, but they have a few who have won a World Series before. One is Soto, who will have everyone’s attention. But first baseman Anthony Rizzo came back from an injury to rack up six hits and walk twice in the five games of the ALCS. His left-handed bat gives the Yankees balance, and Rizzo improves the Yankees’ defense tremendously at first.The Leaders
Aaron Boone is managing his first World Series as a manager. He was a postseason hero for the Yankees as a player, but this is a totally different ballgame. Indeed, much of his criticism has come in October with the Yankees not advancing to the World Series since 2009.On the other bench, Dave Roberts was also a postseason hero as a player (albeit not for the Dodgers) but he’s been here before. The Dodgers have won a championship (in 2020) with him calling the shots.
