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On Friday, the Yankees and Dodgers will meet for the second game of the 2024 World Series. Although the Yankees held the edge for most of Game 1, a grand slam off the bat of Freddie Freeman in the bottom of the 10th sealed the 6-3 victory for LA.
The first Fall Classic in MLB history to feature no fewer than five former MVP Award winners, star power was on full display on Friday. Today, we will be delving into what we can expect ahead of the first pitch of Game 2, expected at 8:08 ET from Dodger Stadium in LA.
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"Freddie Freeman just lived everyone's childhood dream" - Pardon My Take
Yankees vs Dodgers recent form and records
With their 94 regular season wins, the Yankees had the best record in the AL, despite posting one of their worst showings in decades in 2023. Also, the team who hit the most home runs in the regular season, New York entered the postseason as the AL East champs, and dusted off the KC Royals and Cleveland Guardians en route to their first World Series berth since 2009.
The 98 wins achieved by the LA Dodgers this season led MLB. Although they ran into some challenges in the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, Shohei Ohtani and company were able to beat San Diego before ending the New York Mets' season in the NLCS.
Players to Watch
Starting Pitchers
NYY: Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA) vs LAD: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA)
Rodon had a 1.223 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 195 K in 175 IP.
Last Start: ND, 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K vs CLE
Career vs LAD: 1-2 4.50 ERA (28 IP, 14 ER) 6 HR in 5 game
Yamamoto had a 1.111 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 105 K in 90 IP.
Last Start: ND, 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K vs NYM
Career vs NYY: 0-0 0.00 ERA (7 IP, 0 ER) 0 HR in 1 game
Must-Watch Hitters
New York
The sixth inning of Game 1 saw Giancarlo Stanton crush his first career World Series homer, and his team-leading sixth of the postseason. Now a .292 hitter in 10 games this October, Stanton's 1.159 OPS also leads all players remaining in the 2024 postseason.
"Every home run Giancarlo Stanton has hit this October has been breathtaking. And this one gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead in the World Series" - Jeff Passan
The 12 hits garnered by Juan Soto this postseason rank first on the Yankees. As the man whose clutch three-run shot edged the Yankees over the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS, Soto was 1-for-3 with a walk in Game 1, improving his career World Series slash line to .333/.459/.700.
Los Angeles
After sitting out the final game of the New York Mets series on account of a stubborn ankle injury, some fans wondered if Freddie Freeman would be in for Game 1. Not only was Freeman in the lineup, but his 10th-inning grand slam won the game. In seven career World Series games, Freeman has hit .333 with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs.
All eyes continue to be on Shohei Ohtani as he makes his first World Series appearance. After hitting .364 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs against the Mets, Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a run scored on Friday. In his career against Carlos Rodon, Ohtani is 1-for-3 with a three-run home run.
"Shohei Ohtani's first career #WorldSeries hit goes for EXTRA BASES!" - MLB
Yankees vs Dodgers baseball betting odds
Yankees vs Dodgers expert picks and game prediction
On paper, the Dodgers have hit more effectively than the Yankees this October. From batting average to runs scored to extra-base hits, LA has a clear hitting edge over the Bombers.
Although Game 1 - save for Freeman's homer - was not the slugfest many expected, Game 2 could see significantly more offense. In his career, Carlos Rodon of the Yankees has struggled against the Dodgers, and has allowed six homers in five games. While Rodon's 22 strikeouts lead the Yankees staff this postseason, the former Cy Young contender has amassed a 4.40 ERA.
Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto has only faced the Yankees once, but it was a scoreless, seven-inning spectacle. Buoyed by a rabid home crowd, expect LA to take the series east with a 2-0 lead.
Run Line: +1.5 -185
Total Runs: O 8.5 -120
Prediction: Los Angeles W, 10-7
