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World Series Preview: Yankees vs Dodgers

After 15 years, the Yankees are finally back in the Fall Classic with serious expectations.

By Joshua Ambroise

Oct 24, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) during team workouts prior to game one of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) during team workouts prior to game one of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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The wait is finally over. The New York Yankees will play their first World Series since 2009. This time they will open up the fall classic on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who currently hold the best record in baseball. Notably, this matchup marks the first time since 1981 that the Yankees and Dodgers will face off in the World Series, a series Los Angeles won in just six games. Overall, New York has won eight out of the 11 meetings between these two teams.

This series will be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Both teams are going through World Series droughts. The Dodgers haven't won a World Series since 1988 other than the one back in 2020 during the shortened season. The Yankees, on the other hand, haven't won one since 2009 which makes it 15 years since their last title. Both teams are under pressure to win it all.

How the Yankees Got Here

After failing to reach the playoffs last year, New York had to search for answers. In the offseason, they finally figured out what went wrong. It was the offense that was an issue.

So, they went all-in for Juan Soto. It was the move that had to happen. Nobody within the Yankees organization was happy, including the fans, forcing them to make the blockbuster move.

Despite the move being costly, it did pay off in the end. New York was able to turn their season around because of Soto. He had no issues handling New York. In his first season in pinstripes, Soto managed to hit .288 along with 166 hits, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs in 157 games played. But he wasn't the only storyline for the Yankees this season.

Aaron Judge also played a crucial role for the team that made it to the World Series. He started the season concerningly slow in the first month. However, in May, Judge started to find his rhythm. His performance improved drastically, leading to a string of games where he excelled. Even better, he almost had the chance to break his own home run record that he broke in 2024 but it was too late. Still, he finished with a strong season and that's what matters.

New York would finish the season with the third-best record at 94-68. They trailed the Dodgers a couple of games for the very best record. Still, New York would get the bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. It's incredible to see how they transformed quickly into a playoff team after such a disappointing 2023 season.

How the Dodgers Got Here

Heading into this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers had serious expectations of making a deep run into the playoffs and reaching the World Series. The last couple of seasons were filled with disappointment.

Changes had to be made, and they did so. Early in the offseason, they went all-in and signed sensational superstar UTL Shohei Ohtani and SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But they weren't the only headliners for the Los Angeles this past offseason. The Dodgers also made blockbuster moves on the trade market. They went out and acquired SP Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for SP Ryan Pepiot and CF Jonny Deluca. Indeed, it was a successful offseason for the team.

The biggest storyline for the Dodgers this entire season was Ohtani. In his first season in a Dodgers uniform, he had an extraordinary campaign. He came close to winning a Triple Crown but fell short. Ohtani finished the 2024 season with a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases.

Then there was Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He also had a great debut season in a Dodgers uniform. He finished the season with a record of eighteen wins and seven losses, maintaining an impressive 3.00 ERA over 90 innings pitched.

Los Angeles went on to become the most consistent team in all of baseball. As a result of their consistency, they have earned themselves the best record in baseball. It was enough to give themselves a home-field advantage throughout the World Series.

Series Prediction

I expect this series to be a dogfight in a battle for the Commisioner's Trophy. It could go either way but in the end, I got the Yanks coming out as victors.

Prediction: 4-2 Yankees

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