World Series Preview: How Did Dodgers & Yankees Get To Fall Classic?

The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic, which begins on Friday.

The Dodgers ousted the New York Mets in six games on Sunday, as manager Dave Roberts and his team return to the World Series for the second time in five years. It has not been a linear path for Los Angeles this season as they dealt with starting pitching injuries to four of the top five members of their rotation, fell behind 2-1 to the San Diego Padres in a best of five, and 1B Freddie Freeman dealing with an ankle injury. However, Roberts’ genius managing of the bullpen and Shohei Ohtani’s ridiculous ability to hit with men on base propelled the Dodgers to win the National League pennant. Since L.A. owns a better record than the Yankees, they will get four games at home, the first and the last two.

Meanwhile, the Yankees breeze into the World Series after defeating the Cleveland Guardians in five games and the Kansas City Royals in four during the division series. Their bats have come alive as Giancarlo Stanton won ALCS MVP with five home runs in nine playoff games, and Juan Soto cranked a three-run homer in the 10th inning of game five to send the Yankees to the next round.

On the bump, Florida State alumni Luke Weaver silenced the doubters of the New York bullpen, becoming the defacto closer and recording two saves in the Championship Series. In recent memory, the Bronx Bombers have struggled in the playoffs, and this is the first WS appearance for the Yanks since they won it in 2009.

All games will be on Fox starting at 8:08 E.T. Gerrit Cole is scheduled to take the ball for New York, while Jack Flaherty is probable for Roberts in game one. Hard Rock Bet gives the Dodgers a slight -120 chance to win the World Series.