The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious in a thrilling World Series battle, clinching the championship with a close 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in the Bronx on Wednesday. This hard-fought victory wrapped up the best-of-seven series with a 4-1 advantage, marking the Dodgers’ eighth franchise title. It also stands as their second title within the last five years, following the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. This accomplishment adds another chapter to the Dodgers’ legacy, with previous titles won in 1988 and 1981, the latter also against the Yankees.
Wednesday’s win was nothing short of dramatic, as the Dodgers overcame a tough 5-0 deficit after the first three innings. The Yankees, backed by a lineup that had been relatively quiet throughout the series, took early control by forcing Dodgers starter Jack Doherty off the mound. However, Los Angeles responded in the fifth inning, capitalizing on three critical Yankees errors to tie the game. After briefly falling behind 6-5, the Dodgers surged in the eighth with a two-run inning, ultimately sealing the win with Walker Buehler stepping in for a clutch save in the ninth. The Yankees, aiming for their 28th championship, came up just short in their efforts.
Beyond their star power, the Dodgers’ lineup and pitching staff stepped up in crucial ways. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, all former MVPs, were pivotal; Ohtani, in particular, had an impressive season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player ever to hit the 50-50 milestone. Yet, it was role players like Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernandez who delivered essential hits throughout the postseason. A versatile bullpen, missing major starters like Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow, managed to contain the Yankees’ power-hitters, including Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton, keeping them from scoring in key moments.
Freeman, battling injury just like Ohtani, earned the World Series MVP title, driving in two critical runs in the final game and breaking the World Series RBI record with 12. Though he didn’t homer in Game 5, Freeman set a unique record this year by hitting a home run in six consecutive World Series games, extending back to his days with the Atlanta Braves. His Game 1 walk-off grand slam set the tone for the series, leaving the Yankees struggling to regain momentum.
The Yankees managed to stave off elimination in Game 4 with an impressive 11-4 win, temporarily disrupting the Dodgers’ momentum and averting a sweep. This victory, powered by a lineup that finally clicked, saw them take advantage of the Dodgers’ all-reliever rotation, which had proven effective earlier in the postseason against both the Padres and the Mets. Judge, who had a challenging postseason, showed flashes of his prowess with a single in Game 4 and a first-inning home run in Game 5, though he ended the series with a subdued 8-for-46 showing and 20 strikeouts.
Though Fox Sports and fans were likely hoping for a deeper series, a Game 5 finale closed the World Series with a substantial viewer turnout. This year’s matchup, featuring two of the sport’s most storied teams in its largest media markets, attracted an average of 14.9 million viewers over the first four games, marking the highest ratings since 2017. The intense Game 4 alone drew 16.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched game of the series.
