2024 World Series: Freddie Freeman Leads the Way With a Performance for the Ages as the Dodgers Become World Series Champions!

World Series Game 1: “She is gone!!!” The Dodgers come from behind to walk off the Yankees in an instant classic, thanks to Freddie Freeman’s historic swing! (LAD leads 1-0), 10/25/24

NYY 3 – LAD 6, W (Final/10) (LAD leads 1-0): The Dodgers and the Yankees faced off for the 12th time in the World Series and the opening act did not disappoint. Ticket prices were at a record high for Game 1, marking the highest since the 2016 World Series. There were so many highly anticipated matchups coming into tonight, including the matchup between the surefire MVP in the NL in Shohei Ohtani versus the home run king, Aaron Judge. Jack Flaherty made the start for his hometown team and Gerrit Cole’s dream came true, starting a game for the Yankees in the World Series. This game started out as an old fashioned pitchers duel, as both starters kept the opposition off the board in the first 4 innings. The Dodgers cracked through first in the 5th. Kike Hernandez hit a triple in the 5th, scoring on a sac-fly from Will Smith, as LA went up 1-0. But the Yankees responded in the top of the 6th. Juan Soto led the inning off with a single and Giancarlo Stanton came up, representing the go-ahead run. Stanton swung and missed at the first 2 pitches but Flaherty threw one really high, resetting the at-bat. Stanton, who came to Dodger Stadium as a kid, spoiled Flaherty’s outing, crushing a majestic, 2 run home run, putting the Yankees up 2-1 in the 6th. Flaherty still finished with a solid line, pitching 5 and ⅓ innings with 6 strikeouts, allowing just 2 runs. Dave Roberts went to the bullpen, and kept the Dodgers in the game. Anthony Banda struck out 2 batters to end the 6th. Edman made a run saving play in the inning, diving to keep the ball in the infield to prevent a run from scoring. Brusdar Graterol, who has been out since mid September with a shoulder injury, was activated and added to the World Series roster, and retired the side in the 7th. Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole was dealing on the mound, firing 6 shutout innings with 4 strikeouts, but was taken out in the 7th after giving up a single to Teoscar, even though he was at just 88 pitches. But LA was unable to tie the game against the Yankees pen in the 7th. Muncy was hit by a pitch to put runners on 1st and 2nd and advanced to 2nd and 3rd on a sac-bunt by Kike. But Will Smith and Gavin Lux couldn’t bring the tying run in. Alex Vesia, who was added to the World Series roster after missing the NLCS due to an injury, pitched a clean 8th, retiring the Yankees 1-2-3 keeping it at a 1 run game. In the bottom of the 8th, the Dodgers were able to come through. Shohei Ohtani hit a rocket off the wall in right-center, getting to 2nd with a double. But Juan Soto threw the ball to Gleyber Torres, but the ball got away, allowing Ohtani to advance to 3rd. Mookie came up and hit one to deep center, bringing Ohtani home to tie the game at 2 in the 8th. Michael Kopech came in the 9th and got the first 2 hitters to ground out, before giving up a double to Gleyber Torres. A fan reached over the wall, catching the ball, which was ruled fan interference. Dave Roberts went to Blake Treinen and made a critical decision, electing to walk Juan Soto to get to Aaron Judge, setting up the righty-righty matchup with Blake Treinen. This ended up being a huge decision which paid off tremendously, as Judge popped out to end the inning, leaving runners on 1st and 2nd in the 9th. Yankees closer Luke Weaver retired Teo, Muncy, and Kike in the order to get this game to the 10th. Blake Treinen was a little shaky in the 10th though. Jazz Chisholm singled with 1 out and then stole 2nd. LA then intentionally walked Anthony Rizzo to set up the righty-righty matchup. Then, Chisholm stole 3rd, setting up 1st and 3rd with 1 out for the Yanks. Volpe hit a little chopper up the middle, which Edman made a diving play on, getting the out at 2nd. But Chisholm was able to score as the Yankees retook the lead in the 10th. Austin Wells struck out though to end the inning. With the Dodgers trailing by 1 in the bottom of the 10th, Jake Cousins came in for the Yankees, and didn’t have it. With LA down to their last 2 outs, Lux drew a huge walk, and Tommy Edman singled to get runners on 1st and 2nd. Lux made a sharp turn around 2nd and slipped, but thankfully, was able to retreat to 2nd. Chris Taylor came in to pinch run for Lux. Then, Yankees manager, Aaron Boone made the most controversial decision of the game, bringing in lefty, Nestor Cortes, who hadn’t pitched in 5 weeks, out of the bullpen, to face Shohei Ohtani, setting up the lefty-lefty matchup. Ohtani popped one up to left field, and Alex Verdugo made an incredible catch, falling over the short wall in left field, as the Yankees were just 1 out away. Since Verdugo fell into the stands, Taylor and Edman were allowed to move to 2nd and 3rd. Boone then intentionally walked Mookie Betts, loading the bases for Freddie Freeman. Cortes fired and Freeman swung. Freddie posed with his bat in the air, as if he was holding a sword, watching this one go to deep right field, hitting a walk-off grand slam! A hobbling Freddie Freeman screamed, running around the bases. Freeman won the game for the Dodgers with the biggest swing of his life, sending Los Angeles into a frenzy! It was the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history! Reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run off Dennis Eckersley in 1988, Freddie’s swing may be one of the biggest hits in baseball history. The Dodgers will celebrate tonight but will turn their focus towards Game 2, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto will face Carlos Rodon of the Yankees, with a chance for LA to take a commanding 2-0 series lead tomorrow. Game 1 – 10/25/24

World Series Game 2: Dodgers take 2-0 series lead behind dominant performance from Yamamoto, another power display from the offense, (LAD leads 2-0), 10/26/24

NYY 2 – LAD 4, W (LAD leads 2-0): The Dodgers took care of business at home, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Yankees. Yoshinobu Yamamoto set the tone with another dominant outing against the Yankees. Yamamoto retired the side quickly in the 1st and 2nd including striking out Aaron Judge. The Dodgers took the lead early in the 2nd. NLCS MVP, Tommy Edman, launched a solo home run to left, as the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead. But Juan Soto responded, tattooing one off Yamamoto the next inning, tying the game at 1. The Dodger offense had his back though, powering their way to a 3 run lead. With 2 outs in the 3rd, Mookie knocked his 2nd single of the game bringing up Teoscar with a runner on 1st. Teo launched one the other way for a 2-run shot, putting the Dodgers back in front. Then Freddie followed with a moonshot to right. It was the first time since 1981 that the Dodgers hit back-to-back homers in a World Series game. Freddie has now homered in 4 consecutive World Series games dating back to 2021 with the Braves. The Dodgers gave Yamamoto a 3 run lead to work with, which was more than enough. Yamamoto ended up going 6 and ⅓ innings, striking out 4 Yankees, allowing just 1 hit, which was the home run to Soto. Yamamoto screamed after striking out Judge to end the 6th and received a standing ovation after retiring Stanton in the 7th. Dave Roberts handed it over to the Dodger bullpen, which has been incredible all Postseason long. Anthony Banda came in against the string of lefties against the Yankees and got Chisholm and Volpe to fly out to end the inning. But things took an unexpected turn in the bottom of the inning. With 2 out in the 7th, Shohei attempted to steal 2nd. When Ohtani slid, he immediately grabbed his left shoulder. Ohtani was tagged out and left the game early. Ohtani was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder, putting his availability for the rest of the series in serious jeopardy. Then Michael Kopech came in the 8th and retired the side in order. Dave went to Blake Treinen to try to shut the door in the 9th. But Treinen struggled to find it, loading the bases and giving up a run on a single from Giancarlo Stanton. With 1 out and the bases loaded, Treinen got a huge strikeout, getting Anthony Volpe to swing at a nasty slider for strike 3. Alex Vesia came in with 2 out and the bases loaded and got pinch-hitter Jose Trevino to fly out to end the game. The Dodgers will take a 2-0 series lead into New York with a chance to win the World Series on the road. LA will have the day off tomorrow, while awaiting the news of Shohei Ohtani’s injury. Game 2 – 10/26/24

World Series Game 3: Walker Buehler is sharp in first WS start since ‘20, Freddie Freeman’s tear contours, as Dodgers take commanding 3-0 lead, (LAD leads 3-0), 10/28/24

LAD 4 – NYY 2, W (LAD leads 3-0): The Dodgers jumped on the Yankees early in Game 3, silencing the crowd early to put the Yankees on the brink of elimination. Yankees starter, Clarke Schmidt, struggled to find his command in the 1st, walking the leadoff batter to start the game. With 1 out, Freddie Freeman turned on a cutter inside, crushing one to deep right field to put the Dodgers up 2 early. Freeman has homered in all 3 games in this series and has gone yard in 5 consecutive World Series games dating back to 2021! Freeman tied a World Series record for consecutive games with a home run and also became just the 3rd player ever to hit a home run in each of the first 3 games of a World Series. That was all Walker Buehler needed, putting together another stellar performance in the World Series. Following a leadoff walk to Gleyber Torres, Buehler retired the next 6 hitters in order, striking out a struggling Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, and Anthony Rizzo. In the 3rd, the Dodgers were able to tack on some insurance runs. Tommy Edman led the inning off with a walk and was able to avoid the double play by getting a head start from 1st when Ohtani hit a grounder to 2nd. Mookie came up and put together another long at-bat before getting jammed on the hands, blooping a base hit into right to bring Edman home and give the Dodgers a 3 run lead. Freeman and Muncy drew walks, knocking Schmidt out of the game in the 3rd. Schmidt failed to complete 3 innings, going just 2 and ⅔ while walking 4, allowing 3 runs. It was another underwhelming performance for a Yankee starter. Buehler kept on cruising, striking out Jose Trevino and Alex Verdugo. Gleyber Torres walked again but Buehler was able to get Soto to ground out to end the inning. The Dodgers got some action on the base paths in the 4th but failed to score. Lux walked and then reached 3rd on a single from Kike. Tommy Edman tried to lay down a sac-bunt, but Lux wasn’t able to score, getting tagged out at home. The Yankees had something brewing in the 4th as Giancarlo Stanton doubled with one out. With 2 out, Anthony Volpe singled and the Yankees tried to send Stanton home. But Teoscar Hernandez threw a laser from left, as Will Smith applied the tag to cut the run down and keep the Yankees off the board. Walker Buehler was able to pitch a clean 5th and finished with a solid line. Buehler ended his evening with 5 scoreless innings and 5 punchouts against the Yankees. The Dodgers were able to tack on another run in the 6th. Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch, reached 2nd on a wild pitch, and then came in to score on an RBI single from Kike Hernandez. It was Kike’s 2nd hit of the night. Brusdar Graterol was shaky in the 6th, but Alex Vesia came in to bail him out. Daniel Hudson got into some trouble before Anthony Banda came in, striking out Gleyber Torres with runners on 1st and 2nd to end the inning.  Ryan Brasier pitched a clean 8th, and LA went to Michael Kopech to close this one out. Kopech was a little shaky, allowing a 2-run homer to Alex Verdugo, but was able to record the final out to give the Dodgers the win. LA is now a win away from becoming World Series champions, putting the Yankees in a 3-0 hole. LA will go with a bullpen game to try to finish the job tomorrow. Game 3 – 10/28/24

World Series Game 4: Dodgers are unable to put Yankees away as New York forces a Game 5, (LAD leads 3-1), 10/29/24

LAD 4 – NYY 11, L (LAD leads 3-1): The Dodgers would have to wait at least 1 more day to celebrate a potential World Series title, as LA was unable to put the Yankees away in Game 4. The Dodgers got started on the right track though, as Freddie Freeman launched another 2 run shot to start the ball game. Identically to Game 3, the Dodgers were up 2 before the Yankees got a chance to hit. It was Freeman’s 4th consecutive game with a home run and his 6th consecutive World Series game going yard, setting a new World Series record! LA was going with a bullpen game for Game 4 with rookie Ben Casparius serving as the opener. Casparius pitched 2 innings and allowed just 1 run. It was looking like another Dodger win but the Yankees punched back in the 3rd. Daniel Hudson just didn’t have it tonight, as the Yankees loaded the bases on a hit by pitch, single, and walk. Shortstop Anthony Volpe unloaded the bases with a go-ahead grand slam, as the crowd erupted in the Bronx. The Dodgers tried to chip away but the lead was too big to overcome. Will Smith homered the other way in the 5th to cut the lead to 2 in the 5th. Then LA was able to scratch another run as Freeman booked it down the line to beat the throw, as LA cut the lead to 1. Meanwhile, LA turned to Landon Knack, who pitched 4 solid innings to help preserve the bullpen. The lone run being a solo shot hit by Austin Wells. LA’s offense did nothing the rest of the way and the Yankees put this one out of reach, erupting for 5 in the 8th off Brent Honeywell. Gleyber Torres broke it open with a 3 run bomb to make it 10-4 Yankees. Soto doubled and Judge drove him in on a single as the Yankees kept pouring it on. The Dodgers got blown out, losing Game 4 11-4. LA will have another shot at closing it out tomorrow with Jack Flaherty on the mound. Game 4 – 10/29/24

World Series Game 5: The Dodgers complete an improbable comeback, going from down 5-0 to up 7-6 to win the World Series! (LAD wins 4-1), 10/30/24

LAD 7 – NYY 6, W (LAD Wins 4-1): It was looking like the series would be heading back to LA for a Game 6. Jack Flaherty had a horrendous start, lasting just 1 and ⅓ innings and the Yankees were up 5-0 in the blink of an eye. Judge started the scoring with a 2-run homer, and Jazz Chisholm launched a solo shot to put the Yankees up 3-0. In the 2nd, Alex Verdugo cracked a single to right as the Yankees took a 4-run lead. Jack Flaherty’s night was finished, and Dave Roberts went to the pen to try to stop the bleeding. Ryan Brasier came in and allowed a solo shot to Stanton as the Yankees kept pouring it on. Meanwhile Gerrit Cole was dealing on the mound and hadn’t allowed a hit going into the 5th. But the tide changed for LA, and the momentum completely shifted. Coming into the inning, LA had not gotten a hit since the 5th inning of Game 4. Kike led the inning off with a single. Then Tommy Edman hit a routine fly ball to Aaron Judge, but Judge dropped it allowing the Dodgers to get runners on 1st and 2nd with no out. This was when the Yankees defensive meltdown started. Then Will Smith hit a ground ball to the shortstop Anthony Volpe. But for some reason, Volpe tried to get the out at 3rd. Jazz Chisholm dropped the ball, loading the bases with no out. It looked like Gerrit Cole was going to get out of the jam, striking out Lux and Ohtani. With 2 outs in the inning Mookie hit what looked like a routine grounder to 1st but no one covered the bag at 1st, as Mookie was safe, bringing in a run for LA. Then the floodgates opened for LA. Freddie Freeman lined a base hit up the middle driving in 2 more on a perfect piece of hitting, making it a 5-3 game. Then Teoscar Hernandez hit one off the wall in dead center, bringing in 2 more runs, then pulling off an improbable comeback, coming back from down 5 thanks to 3 errors by the Yankees. By the time Cole finished the inning the damage had been done. Cole threw 38 pitches in the inning, and the Dodgers had turned Game 5 into a brand-new ballgame. Alex Vesia gave the Dodgers a big shutdown inning in the 5th to keep the game tied at 5. But in the 6th the Yankees retook the lead in the 6th on a sac fly from Stanton off of Brusdar Graterol. Graterol struggled, walking 3 Yankees and allowing a run. This forced Dave Roberts to go to his best arm in Blake Treinen early. Roberts had already burned through the entire bullpen early with Flaherty failing to go 2 innings. With Banda, Brasier, Kopech, Vesia, and Graterol, Treinen was the only viable arm left, with LA’s bullpen already gassed from the bullpen game in Game 4. Treinen was able to get Volpe to ground out to end the inning but LA found themselves trailing yet again. But in the 8th, the Dodgers loaded the bases against Tommy Khanle, forcing the Yankees to go to their closer early. Kike, who started the rally back in the 5th did the same in the 8th, leading the inning off with a single. Tommy Edman followed with a single and Will Smith walked. Gavin Lux put together a solid at-bat and was able to muscle a fly ball into center, tying the game at 6 with a sac-fly. With runners on the corners with 1 out, Shohei reached on catcher’s interference, loading the bases again, this time for Betts. Mookie hit a fly ball into center, deep enough to bring home the go-ahead run to give the Dodgers a 7-6 lead. Betts was pumping his fist knowing LA was just 6 outs away from completing the job. Blake Treinen came back out in the 8th and got into a jam. With runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out, Dave Roberts had a decision to make. Roberts went to the mound and asked Treinen how he felt. Treinen said he wanted Stanton. Roberts trusted Treinen, leaving him in the game. Treinen got out of the jam though, getting Stanton to fly out and struck out Anthony Rizzo to end the threat. Treinen gave LA 7 huge outs, emptying everything in the tank, as LA found themselves just 3 outs away. Dave Roberts made one more call to the bullpen, bringing Walker Buehler in to close out this game. Buehler got the 1st out on a groundout. Then he struck out Austin Wells on a 3-2 knuckle curve. Alex Verdugo was New York’s last hope. With the count at 1-2, Buehler threw a knuckle curve, dipping out of the zone at the last second. Verdugo swung and missed, and the Dodgers were World Series Champions! Despite all of the injuries, the Dodgers came together, grinding out each at-bat, never taking a play off, and fighting through adversity, to win the World Series. Freddie Freeman took home World Series MVP honors after his historic World Series stretch. The Dodgers will get to bring the championship home to LA and will celebrate this historic season with their fans in the World Series parade on Friday. Game 5 – 10/30/24