When I started writing this series, I could only dream of being able to cover a World Series that featured one of the baseball locals. It’s a very exciting time for the city in general, and even more exciting to be a Yankee fan like me. With their 41st American League pennant in the bank, “the chase for 28” enters its final stage and toughest test yet against the Los Angeles Dodgers!

This is LA’s 22nd World Series appearance, and they last won in the pandemic shortened 2020 campaign, beating the Tampa Bay Rays. The seven-time World Champions from the city of Angels did once reside in our fair city, Brooklyn to be exact. Back then the Dodgers were “the boys of Summer” thrilling the Flatbush faithful at Ebbets Field until their untimely departure for the west coast. During their time in New York, they were a part of an infamous rivalry with the Yankees. That rivalry has featured 11 World Series matchups prior to this one that took place in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, featuring many memorable moments.

Now they get the chance to make new memories in what will hopefully be a big time series. These two have faced each other six times in the last two years, with the road team winning each series. The regular season series had a World Series feel to them with the excitement being palpable in the crowd. The star players had their fair share of fun with the matchups, but now there is a lot more on the line.

This 12th World Series incarnation of the rivalry is jam packed with future Hall of Famers, seven by my count. This only raises the profile of what is definitely the biggest brand name matchup since 2018 when LA faced the Red Sox. The sport will only benefit from Stanton, Judge, and Soto facing Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman (if he plays). There is real star power with great supporting casts on display in this one, so let’s dive into our preview!

The Lineups

Dodgers Projected Lineup	Yankees Projected Lineup
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH	1. Gleyber Torres, 2B
2. Mookie Betts, RF	2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B	3. Aaron Judge, CF
4. Teoscar Hernandez, LF	4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
5. Max Muncy, 3B	5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
6. Tommy Edman, SS	6. Jazz Chisholm, 3B
7. Will Smith, C	7. Anthony Volpe, SS
8. Gavin Lux, 2B	8. Austin Wells, C
9. Kike Hernandez, CF	9. Alex Verdugo, LF

We begin with a comparison of the lineups. There is no question that both teams will go as their stars go. Betts, Ohtani, Freeman and Hernandez versus Torres, Soto, Judge and Soto…it doesn’t get any better than that. Expect them all, assuming Freeman plays to make their presence felt in this series, while being a nightmare to pitch to. It’s not often you get this many high caliber offensive players in one series at the same time, so it’s an exciting prospect to think about how much damage they could both do…unless you’re on the receiving end of it.

The other key both sides lineups is that their supporting casts must keep on chipping in. Tommy Edman, Andy Pages and “Yankee killer” Kike Hernandez had great NLC’s and will be leaned upon here. Meanwhile Anthony Volpe, Alex Verdugo, and Anthony Rizzo all did their part to help the Yanks reach the World Series, while working from the bottom of the order. Interestingly neither team’s catcher has hit yet this postseason, as Austin Wells and Will Smith are ice cold, but perhaps the time off will make them more of their usual selves and there for an x-factor. If this depth continues to produce for both sides, expect lots of fireworks! In terms of who has the edge? I’ll call it a draw in the lineup department.

The Starters

Dodgers Projected Starters	Yankees Projected Starters
Game 1 – Jack Flaherty	Game 1 – Gerrit Cole
Game 2 – Yoshinobu Yamamoto	Game 2 – Carlos Rodon
Game 3 – Walker Buehler (Likely)	Game 3 – Clarke Schmidt
Game 4 – Bullpen (Likely)	Game 4 – Luis Gil (Likely)

As we shift from the plate to the mound, it’s time examine both sides starting pitching staff. The Dodgers come into this series with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, and Walker Buehler ready to make a start. This of course is a far cry from their originally planned rotation that included Dustin May, Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw to go with Yamamoto, but injuries as usual run their course. The three aforementioned starters have held their own this October, turning in solid performances, that were all rather short which could present an issue as the LA bullpen has been asked to do a lot.

Meanwhile on the Yankee side of things, their staff of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil figures to set them up for success. While Cole has been erratic in this playoff run, he’s still a vaunted ace who will need to be x-factor for the Yankees. Behind him Rodon has pitched very well this postseason, while also seeing Schmidt and Gil give solid competitive efforts in each round. If the Yankees can get 5-6 innings minimum from their staff they’ll hold a real advantage in this series. So with that in mind I feel the Yankees have advantage in the starting pitching department.

The Bullpens

Dodger Projected Bullpen Pieces	Yankees Key Bullpen Pieces
Michael Kopech	Luke Weaver
Evan Phillips	Clay Holmes
Blake Treinen	Jake Cousins
Ryan Braiser	Tim Hill
Anthony Banda	Tommy Kahnle

We’ll stay with the theme of pitching and transition to the last line of defense, the bullpen, where games are often won and lost in the playoffs. Neither unit is led by some of the all-time great relief pitchers to don their sides respective uniforms throughout history. Mariano Rivera, Goose Gossage, Jay Howell and Kenley Jansen aren’t walking through that door, but these are still solid units.

The Yankees pen doesn’t have much in the way of postseason experience but has for the most part worked clean innings in the playoffs. Luke Weaver has blossomed in the closers role while Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle have built a bridge to him. Jake Cousins and Tim Hill emerged in the ALCS to be reliable options after good second half performances in the regular season and converted starter Nestor Cortes could become a factor coming out of the pen to help Hill deal with Ohtani.

Meanwhile the Dodgers bullpen is really all about the stuff their pitchers possess on the mound. Almost all of them have electrifying strikeout stuff, more so than the Yankees unit for that matter and that can make a big difference in October. Trade deadline pickup Michael Kopech has been at his flame throwing best while Phillips and Treinen slam the door late. Kopech has also helped hard throwing veteran Ryan Braiser open games this postseason as LA has successfully pieced together some “bullpen games.” Lefty Anthony Banda could prove valuable in this series as the Yankees have a tricky time hitting lefty pitchers who can spin it. Neither unit is all that deep and the concern for the Dodgers could be overuse and overexposure as they will likely have to work a lot of innings with their starters not last long and preset bullpen games scheduled. With that in mind I’ll give the Yankees an ever so slight edge.

The Pick

I think we’re in for a classic World Series between two heavy weight teams. As you can tell from my thoughts above, there isn’t much that separates them and they have a lot more in common than most World Series opponents. Both managers have been in their respective roles for some time, and while neither would be confused for Tommy Lasorda or Billy Martin, they have enjoyed a lot of success, and a win here would further solidify their places in the history of the Dodgers and Yankees. As a diehard Yankee fan, I am both incredibly excited and nervous going into this series. I didn’t think this version of the Bronx Bombers would find their way to the World Series and yet here they are, perhaps that only heightens my belief in what they’re doing as it feels like they’re peaking at the right time. I think they have just enough in the pitching department to handle LA’s offense and their stars will get the big hits in big spots to win a thrilling series. Let’s get 28, no matter what it takes.

Nick’s Pick: Yankees in 7

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