(Photo by Barry's Tickets)
After years of many baseball fans complaining that the World Series was not watchable because of the participants in the Fall Classic. Really? You didn't want to see two underdogs as Texas and Arizona fight for the crown? And I thought the U. S of A loved David vs. Goliath. Fortunately, in 2024, the baseball gods decided to throw you a bone and open the Pandora's box of probably two of the most hated, yet religiously devoted fans of the most legendary sports franchises of all-time. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the match-up that has Rob Manfred dancing in his offices in New York City.
And no, I didn't start this four days ago knowing that these two teams were going to be there.
Anyways, here are the combatants, for the American League.....
NEW YORK YANKEES
SUMMARY
It's funny that this franchise went an entire decade without a World Series appearance. They have come close, but it usually ended with the Astros or other circumstances. This season however, the Yankees went for the jugular.
OFFENSE
They traded for Juan Soto in hopes to push them to the Fall Classic. He did what they wanted by sending them there with a go-ahead three run homer in Game 5 of the ALCS. Now, you guys are going to get him that $600 million contact, right? Front and center for this Yankee squad is Aaron Judge, as his 2024 campaign will garner another MVP award (.322, 58 HR, 144 RBI). Giancarlo Stanton decided to take a time machine back to 2017 and hit clutch dingers to snag the ALCS MVP. The two Anthony's (Rizzo and Volpe) have contributed to the Yankees' run with great defense by Volpe, who is Jersey born and bred. Rizzo wants to reignite the magic of 2016 when he won the World Series. Gleyber Torres has been solid, and the trade acquisition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. has brought energy and confidence to the lineup. Role players as catcher Jose Trevino, Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham gives the Yankees a jolt off the bench.
PITCHING
Gerrit Cole once again lead the rotation after a Cy Young winning 2023 campaign despite missing many games during the season. Carlos Rodon had a bounce back season as Luis Gil (pronounced as HEEL) and Clarke Schmidt turned in sterling performances during 2024. The bullpen has been shaky but came up in huge moments against Cleveland. Mark Leiter Jr, Luke Weaver, Tim Hill and Jake Cousins were thrown away by other teams to come together to solidify a strong bullpen in late innings. Clay Holmes has been up-and-down as the closer but can be clutch when the Yankees need him to be.
MANAGER
Many Yankees fans wanted Aaron Boone on the next plane out of JFK. However, Hal Steinbrenner stuck with him and this season could conclude with him finally winning a World Series trophy with the Yanks.
And now, from the National League.....
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
SUMMARY
This time last year, the Dodgers were swept by the D-Backs and needed to reload at a chance to reach the World Series. Behold, their plan to overtake baseball meant shelling a billion dollars to Japanese mega stars in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Luxury tax threshold, BE DAMNED!
OFFENSE
After receiving the biggest contract in North American sports history, all that Shohei cat did was rewrite the history by becoming the first player ever to go 50/50 (54 HR, 59 SB). Markus Betts (also known as Mookie) also played with fire, especially during the playoffs. Despite being humbled, Freddie Freeman has showed heart and determination during this trying season for him. Will Smith and Max Muncy have made pitchers wonder about their decision to throw to them. Gavin Lux has bounced back after a torn ACL and Teoscar Hernandez is hitting bombs to keep the Dodgers afloat. Tommy Edman went from okay trade acquisition to clutch player during the NLCS as Kike Hernandez, Chris Taylor, Andy Pages and Austin Barnes have contributed to help LA reach their desired destination.
PITCHING
On paper, this section is murky. They lost Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Gavin Stone....you get the idea. Their pitching during the playoffs has been above and beyond doing their best to keep the Dodgers either ahead or in comeback mode. Yamamoto missed some time this season but has flourished in the postseason. Jack Flaherty has been up-and-down this postseason. Hopefully, he can stay strong in the World Series. Walker Buehler and Landon Knack have given LA solid innings. The bullpen has been a revolution with hopefully getting Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol back. Anthony Banda, Ryan Braiser, Ben Casparius, the ageless Daniel Hudson and Brent Honeycutt have held their own in middle innings. The backend of the bullpen includes trade acquisition Michael Kopech and his 102 mph fastball with Blake Treinen and Evan Phillips as the shutdown artists. This unit needs to be strong for the World Series.
MANAGER
Like his counterpart, Dave Roberts has heard criticism due to the Dodgers coming up short in recent years. This year has been his best job dealing with expectations and managing a pitching staff put together with duct tape and silly string. He hopes to quiet the critics by capturing the Commissioner Trophy and getting that long awaited parade in LA.
So, this year's Fall Classic should be epic. Baseball and the world got their precious Dodgers/Yankees matchup, and it should be setting records in television ratings, merchandise sales and social media posts. Also, many Yankee and Dodger fans will show up in bunches to be loud and proud.
What I'm really trying to say is, don't (bleep)ing complain.
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