World Series: The classic rivalry is renewed

by Cary Osborne

… And now to the Yankees.

It’s just different when it’s Dodgers-Yankees.

Even for an interleague series — pins, T-shirts and bobbleheads are specially made to celebrate the matchup.

But this is next level — top level.

The Dodgers and Yankees are meeting in the World Series for the 12th time and the first time since 1981.

It’s been a long wait.

Between 1982 and 2023, the Dodgers and Yankees made the same postseason 12 times. Before 2024, they were both in a league championship series in the same season twice in that span — 2009 and 2017.

It was the closest they had come to renewing the classic World Series rivalry.

But the Yankees made and won the World Series in 2009 — the season the Dodgers lost to the Phillies in the National League Championship Series. And the Dodgers made the 2017 World Series with the Yankees losing to the Astros in that season’s American League Championship Series.

Now it’s a reality.

The Dodgers have already defeated one New York team in the postseason — beating the Mets in six NLCS games.

Now it’s the American League champions from New York who defeated the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALCS.

“They’re a very talented team,” said manager Dave Roberts of the Yankees. “But I think for us, it’s kind of one game at a time but appreciating the fact that we’ve still got four wins to take care of business.”

The Dodgers took two out of three against the Yankees in their interleague matchup at Yankee Stadium June 7–9. It was the Teoscar Hernández show. He went 6-for-12 with three home runs, two doubles and nine RBI.

All three games were nationally televised and had a playoff atmosphere. Except there are a few standout things that are different in this World Series.

Yankees superstar Juan Soto didn’t play in the three games because of a forearm injury. Soto hit the home run that sent the Yankees to the World Series in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. Soto also had a monster season — .989 OPS, 41 home runs, 129 walks, 109 RBI.

The Yankees also didn’t have infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., who they acquired at the trade deadline from Miami. His power-and-speed combination (11 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 46 games with the Yankees) gave the team a jolt down the stretch. However, he is 5-for-34 (.147) in the postseason.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole didn’t pitch in the interleague series. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has allowed six earned runs and 25 baserunners in 16 1/3 innings this postseason over three starts.

The Yankees bullpen also looks different. Veteran Luke Weaver, who the Dodgers are familiar with from his run with Arizona from 2019–2022, has emerged as the Yankees’ closer/top high-leverage option. Former Padre Tim Hill, who has the lowest arm angle among left-handed pitchers in the Majors, has also assumed a prominent role in the Yankees bullpen.

The Dodgers also had Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone starting games in that series. Now they have Jack Flaherty and bullpen games, which are different from the last time the Yankees saw them.

The Yankees also didn’t have to contend with NLCS MVP Tommy Edman, who the Dodgers acquired at the trade deadline, and a healthy Max Muncy, who was on the injured list at the time.

In terms of recency, here are some snapshot stats for each team:

The Dodgers have hit 20 home runs in 11 postseason games. Their .785 OPS and .351 on-base percentage ranks first among all teams in the postseason. They are averaging 6.4 runs per game.

The Yankees have hit 13 home runs in nine games, have a .760 OPS and .346 on-base percentage and are averaging 4.8 runs per game.

The Yankees have a 3.27 ERA (3.89 starters/2.56 relievers).

The Dodgers have a 4.36 ERA (6.08 starters/3.16 relievers).