As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to face off against the New York Yankees in the 2024 MLB World Series, excitement is rising everywhere, even among non-Dodger or Yankee fans. The series marks the twelfth time these storied franchises have met on baseball’s grandest stage, and the anticipation is electric, especially after the Dodgers’ thrilling victory over the New York Mets in the NLCS.
Key Takeaways from the NLCS Against the Mets
The Dodgers clinched their spot in the World Series with a commanding 10-5 victory over the Mets in Game 6 of the NLCS. The win signifies the fourth time in eight years that the Dodgers have reached the Fall Classic, a testament to their consistency and star-studded roster.
One significant standout from the series was Tommy Edman, whose performance was nothing short of spectacular. Acquired in a three-team trade before the summer deadline, Edman emerged as a pivotal player, batting .409 in the series and driving in a remarkable eleven runs. His two-run double and homer in Game 6 propelled the Dodgers into the lead and earned him NLCS MVP honors.
Los Angeles skipper Dave Roberts showcased his tactical capabilities, deftly managing the bullpen in Game 6 despite a few early struggles. While the relief crew faced challenges — including a rough outing from starter Michael Kopech — Roberts’ decisions paid off, particularly when he turned to veteran Blake Treinen to seal the deal in the eighth and ninth innings.
The Dodgers’ offensive prowess shined brightly, averaging 7.67 runs per game, emphasizing their ability to outslug opponents even when pitching struggles persisted.
The Significance of Facing the Yankees
The Dodgers-Yankees matchup is steeped in history, with the two teams having faced off in the World Series eleven times previously, the last being in 1981 when the Dodgers emerged victorious. This matchup is not only a clash of two baseball behemoths but also a narrative of legacy and rivalry.
MLB has crafted the perfect stage for this confrontation, with each team boasting generational talents. The presence of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts for the Dodgers, along with Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton for the Yankees, adds a layer of intrigue as fans eagerly anticipate epic showdowns between these elite players.
For fans who were craving a marquee matchup, the Dodgers and Yankees represent the pinnacle of baseball history. Both teams are hunting for glory — Los Angeles for its first full-season championship since 1988 and New York striving to end a championship drought that stretches back to 2009. This series promises to be a thrilling spectacle that highlights the best of what MLB has to offer.
What to Expect from the Stars
The focus will undoubtedly be on the big hitters as the series unfolds. For the Dodgers, Ohtani, Betts, Edman, Teoscar Hernandez and Company are expected to deliver explosive performances. Both Ohtani and Betts’ speed and power at the top of the lineup make them a constant menace on the basepaths.
On the Yankees’ side, Judge will look to reclaim his MVP form after a quieter ALCS, while Stanton aims to continue his postseason success after hitting several key homers against the Guardians. The potential clash of these heavy hitters sets the stage for a thrilling offensive showdown.
Both teams have shown they can score runs in bunches, with the Dodgers averaging nearly eight runs per game in the NLCS and the Yankees demonstrating their own offensive firepower against Cleveland. However, the health of the Dodger starting rotation and the overuse of the bullpen could loom large. The success of the Los Angeles relief crew will be critical, especially against a Yankees lineup that can explode at any moment.
As the 2024 World Series approaches, fans can expect a mix of high-octane offense, strategic pitching and moments that could echo in baseball lore for decades to come. This matchup isn’t just a typical playoff series — it’s a celebration of baseball’s rich history, a rivalry renewed and a chance for both teams to etch their names deeper into the history books.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
This team can be very proud of what they’ve accomplished this year. They seem to have a very different mind set than the 2022 and 2023 teams.
Not exactly sure what’s made the difference, maybe a lot of little things all coming together. Maybe just the presence of Shohei in the dugout for every game. Whatever the case, this team is charging toward the finish line rather than being run over by the opposition.
The perfect ending to 2024 would be a World Series victory, but even if that’s not in the cards, they’ve managed to overcome all kinds of obstacles and are fighting to the very end. As a fan, that’s all I can ask.
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Dave Roberts—Villain turned hero. Just imagine if some of his pitching or lineup decisions would have backfired, particularly in the NLDS.
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If those decisions had backfired you’d be reading about Dave Roberts, the new manager of the (Marlins, White Sox, fill in the blank).
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Do you really think so? An early exit this year would have been the final straw?
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I think a loss in the NLDS, the odds would have been 50-50.
Advancing to the NLCS probably would have kept him his job.
It would have been unfair to fire him because this was one of his best managerial jobs, but they would have had to make someone the fall guy and AF wasn’t going to fire himself.
All water under the bridge at this point. I’m expecting him to have a three-year extension tacked on to his one remaining year by Spring Training.
Boy, I sure sound like I know what the hell I’m talking about. 🙂
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I have been a critic of Roberts in the past especially his in-game pitching decisions. He and Prior have done a masterful job in getting this wounded staff to the WS.
I agree this team’s vibe is very different over previous years. Is it Hernandez, Ohtani or? Whatever it is I think they will continue. We have to hope Yamamoto, Flaherty and Buehler give the team a competitive 5-6 innings. Very impressed with this team.
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Who would have thunk Tommy Edman hitting cleanup? Maybe it was just sheer luck on Roberts’ part.
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And boy, would it ever be nice to bring Teoscar back on a two-year deal.
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I think it will probably take 3 years, but he might give us a slight home-town discount. All a matter of what AF’s plans are for Mookie (2nd base?), Rushing, Pages, etc.
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My question is do they sign a SS? If so is Edman in CF and Mookie in RF? What do they do with Pages who had a solid rookie campaign? Muncy and Taylor are signed for 25 as is Edman. I suspect Teo has performed well enough to get a big offer of $ and several years and price himself out of what the Dodgers want to spend. Just a guess. Isn’t Adames a free agent?
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Yes, Adames is a free agent, but will come at a high price. Not sure if AF thinks the need is enough to spend that kind of money when he might also be in the market for a big pitcher.
Dodgers have a kid, Alex Freeland, at OKC, who performed well at three different levels last year and can play SS, 3B and 2B. Not sure if they think he could be a long term shortstop and personally I think he probably needs another year at AAA, but they might disagree and he could be another option for shortstop next year.
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I think it’s very healthy as an organization to bring up young talent. I watch some MiLB and noticed Freeland’s rise. Besides Pages what do they decide to do with Rushing? Do they trade them or play them?
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I was really surprised that Rushing wasn’t traded at the deadline when his value was sky high. That must mean they have plans for him at the big league level.
With Will Smith not being the hitter they had hoped for (whether that be due to injuries or reversion to the mean), they might like the idea of having Rushing move back and forth between catching (to give Smith a break) and the outfield. I’d be surprised to see Barnes going anywhere until after next season (there is a team option for 2025), but you never know.
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