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The World Series is set, and Game 1 between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will be on Friday at 8:10 PM ET. The first two games of the series will be in Los Angeles, so it’s not too big of a surprise to see the Dodgers listed as the favorite in Game 1. Let’s get into a brief preview of Game 1 of the World Series.
It’s been a long time coming for the Yankees. The New York Yankees captured the American League pennant after winning the AL East and then defeating the Royals in the ALDS and the Guardians in the ALCS. It was a fairly easy path to the World Series since the Astros and Orioles were upset in the Wild Card round, but it’s still an incredible accomplishment for the Yankees, who have not been in the World Series since 2009.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what has been the key to success for the Yankees since everything has been working. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon have been fantastic in the postseason and will each likely make two starts in the World Series. The rest of the starting rotation has been great, along with an elite bullpen. Yankees relievers have a 2.56 ERA and are allowing just a .206 batting average in the postseason thus far. Luke Weaver has been the star, with a 2.61 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP in 8 appearances.
The Big 3 of the Yankees has been phenomenal in October. Aaron Judge has 2 home runs, Juan Soto is hitting .333 with a 1.106 OPS and Giancarlo Stanton had 4 home runs just against the Guardians to earn ALCS MVP. The offense has been superb heading into Game 1.
Unlike the Yankees, the Dodgers aren’t new to the World Series. Los Angeles has appeared in the World Series three times since the last time the Yankees made it. The Dodgers lost two of those chances, but they beat the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020. Now, they’re back with a highly-anticipated matchup against the Yankees. They got to this point by beating the Padres in the NLDS and then the Mets in the NLCS, which both turned out to be a very exciting series.
The Dodgers offense has been as good or even better than we expected in the postseason. The lineup is hitting .251 with a .785 OPS in the postseason, and the entire team was on fire in the NLCS as the Dodgers scored 9, 3, 8, 10, 6 and 10 runs in their series win over the Mets. The star of the offense has been the soon-to-be NL MVP, Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese sensation has recorded 12 hits, 12 runs, 10 RBIs and 3 home runs in 11 postseason games. Plus, the rising postseason star for the Dodgers has been Tommy Edman. Edman was a trade deadline acquisition from the Cardinals, and he’s posted a .341 average with a .810 OPS in October.
Although neither team has announced a starting pitcher yet, we have a pretty good idea of who the probable pitchers will be. Jack Flaherty has been the most reliable arm the Dodgers have had since acquiring him from the Tigers at the deadline and will be rested enough to start Game 1. The right-hander is coming off a tough showing against the Mets in Game 5, but it was reported that he was under the weather and not 100%. If he’s back to full health by Friday, he will likely be the Game 1 starter.
Gerrit Cole has been exactly what the Yankees have needed in the postseason. The ace has a 3.31 ERA through 3 starts in October and would be on nine days of rest if he starts Game 1. In this battle of aces, I have to lean towards the Dodgers. The Los Angeles lineup has seen plenty of Cole in their careers, and one player has excellent splits against the ace. Mookie Betts is 7-for-17 with just 1 strikeout against Cole in his career.
Betts has been a critical aspect of Los Angeles’ success in the postseason. He comes into Game 1 with a .295 batting average and 1.063 OPS in 11 games this postseason. Betts might just be the hottest hitter in the Dodgers lineup, and with his career splits against Cole in mind, I’m expecting a big night from him.
Keith is a sports writer who has evolved into a sports betting personality across social media in the past several years. He specializes in MLB but also writes about the NFL and NBA.