LOS ANGELES — Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto was masterful in a 4-2 victory against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.
The Japanese right-hander threw 6.1 innings while allowing just one hit — a Juan Soto solo home run — with two walks and four strikeouts. Two of those came against AL MVP favorite Aaron Judge, who finished the night 0-4 with three strikeouts. Judge has struggled mightily this postseason, entering Saturday’s matchup with a .154 batting average and striking out three times on Friday.
"Everything was good because of location," Yamamoto said postgame through a translator. "In the zone, out of the zone, everything was working well."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Yamamoto, "was fantastic tonight."
The Dodgers got on the board first in the second inning on Tommy Edman’s solo home run off Carlos Rodón. Soto evened the score in the top of the third but that’s where the offense stalled for New York. The Dodgers extended their lead later that inning on Teoscar Hernández’s two-run home run to the right field stands. Moments later Freddie Freeman — the hero of Game 1 — hit a solo shot to make it 4-1 Los Angeles.
New York staged a comeback attempt in the top of the ninth inning. With Soto on second, Giancarlo Stanton singled to drive him in and cut the deficit to two runs. Jazz Chisholm then singled to right to have runners on first and second with one out. Los Angeles reliever Blake Treinen followed by hitting Anthony Rizzo to load the bases for Anthony Volpe, but Volpe struck out. Alex Vesia replaced Treinen and got Jose Trevino to fly out to centerfield.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was happy his team fought until the end.
"We gave ourselves a chance to get back in it and win that game off a really good reliever. I love the at-bats there at the end, the compete, the fight," he said postgame. "No one said it's going to be easy. It's a long series and we need to make a it a long series now. We won't flinch. We just gotta keep at it."
While the Dodgers will now take a crucial 2-0 advantage to New York, they might do it with far less star power. NL MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani, who became the first player in baseball history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season, left the game in the seventh inning after suffering a left shoulder injury on a stolen base attempt.
He was helped off the field by Los Angeles’ training staff and evaluated.
“He had a little left shoulder subluxation,” Roberts said postgame. “We’re going to get some tests at some point tonight or tomorrow and we'll know more in the next couple of days. But the strength was great, the range of motion good, so we’re encouraged.”
Roberts said no decision has been made about whether Ohtani will play in Game 3, but would not rule him out for the remainder of the World Series.
“I’m not there,” he said. “I’m expecting him to be in the lineup.”
Game 3 will be at 8:05 p.m. ET Monday at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Walker Buehler will start for Los Angeles opposite New York's Clarke Schmidt.
Dave Roberts 'encouraged' Ohtani will be OK
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani suffered a left shoulder injury tonight in the seventh inning.
“He had a little left shoulder subluxation,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “We’re going to get some tests ... the strength was great, the range of motion good, so we’re encouraged.”
Dodgers win 4-2
Alex Vesia need a single pitch to retire Jose Trevino, who flew out to centerfield, leaving three men on base.
The Dodgers now lead the World Series 2-0 and things turn to the Bronx on Monday night.
Down to the final out
Anthony Volpe struck out on a breaking ball down and away, leaving the bases loaded. Rookie catcher Austin Wells was due up but the Yankees went to their bench for Jose Trevino.
The Dodgers go to the bullpen again and bring in Alex Vesia.
Bases loaded for Yankees
Anthony Rizzo took a ball off the back to load the bases, with Jazz Chisolm at second and Giancarlo Stanton on third with shortstop Anthony Volpe at the plate.
Yankees get closer
With Juan Soto on second base, Giancarlo Stanton singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chris Taylor. It's now 4-2 Yankees in the ninth.
Yankees bring tying run to the plate
Giancarlo Stanton rocketed a single off third base, bringing home Juan Soto who had advanced to second base on a wild pitch.
The Yankees are down 4-2 with one out and Jazz Chisolm up next.
Soto's long single
Juan Soto just missed another home run when he started the ninth with a single off the right field wall off Blake Treinen. Yankees hope that's the start of the rally.
We head to the ninth inning
The Yankees have three outs left to tie the game but have Soto, Judge and Stanton due up in the ninth inning. They'll face Blake Treinen, who gave up a run last night in 1.1 innings pitched.
Ohtani appears to hurt left arm
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was just helped off the field by training staff after sliding hard into second on a steal attempt in the bottom of the seventh inning. It appeared to be a left wrist or shoulder injury and is unclear if he’ll be taken out of the game.
Fox broadcasters, citing Japanese broadcaster NHK, say Ohtani said, "I popped my shoulder out."
Yankees can't muster any offense so far
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
The Dodgers are in full control.
After replacing starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto after 6.1 innings, Anthony Banda got two crucial outs by forcing Jazz Chisholm and Anthony Volpe to fly out.
Score remains 4-1 Dodgers in the bottom of the seventh.
Dodgers go to their bullpen
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is done for the night.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts just took the ball from him in the top of the seventh inning after a masterful performance. The Japanese right-hander threw 6.1 innings, allowing just one hit, two walks and striking out four.
Lefty Anthony Banda replaced him on the mound.
Pitching change for the Yankees
The Yankees made another change at the mound, this time bringing in Clay Holmes to replace Tim Hill. Hill did not allow a hit over 1.1 innings.
Last night, manager Aaron Boone chose to bring in Nestor Cortes to close out the 10th inning rather than Hill, who has been a reliable arm in the postseason.
Cortes hadn't pitched since Sept. 18 and delivered the walk-off grand slam.
Dodgers cruising into the late innings
Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave manager Dave Roberts a huge gift tonight with this strong start. Yamamoto has thrown 80 pitches through six innings and has only surrendered one hit, a solo homer to Juan Soto.
The Dodgers are up three in the bottom of the sixth and can use their best relievers to get the final nine outs.
Dodgers take three-run lead to fifth inning
Will Smith crushed a double to center field off Jake Cousins with one out in the bottom of the fourth. He was then moved over to third base on a ground out by Miguel Rojas but was stranded after Shohei Ohtani grounded out to end the inning.
Yankees make pitching change
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is making a pitching change. Jake Cousins has taken over for Carlos Rodón after Rodón surrendered six hits and four runs over 3.1 innings of work.
Dodgers remain ahead 4-1 in the fourth.
Yamamoto on a roll
Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to pitch well. In the top of the fourth, he got Jazz Chisholm and Giancarlo Stanton to ground out, and struck out Anthony Rizzo on four pitches.
Dodgers 4, Yankee 1 in the bottom of the fourth.
Dodgers up 4-1 after Freeman home run
Freddie Freeman is back at it.
The hero from last night — who hit a walk-off grand slam to win Game 1 — padded Los Angeles’ lead in Game 2 with a solo shot to right field. The Dodgers now lead 4-1 in the bottom of the third.
Dodgers extend lead
Miguel Rojas flew out to right field and Shohei Ohtani struck out to open the inning but Mookie Betts singled on a sharp liner to right.
Teoscar Hernández then drilled a two-run home run to the right field stands to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
Juan Soto ties game
After Alex Verdugo flied out and Gleybor Torres grounded out, Juan Soto just hit a solo bomb to right field to tie the game at 1 in the top of the third. It is his fourth home run of the postseason.
Aaron Judge then lined out to the outfield to end the inning. We go to the bottom of the third where we'll see Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts bat.
Dodgers 1, Yankees 1 in the bottom of the third.
Yankees wanted to sign Yamamoto
The Yankees were hoping Yoshinobu Yamamoto, tonight's starter for the Dodgers, would be wearing pinstripes, instead.
The team pursued the free agent from Japan this past offseason but lost out to the Dodgers who offered a 12-year, $325 million deal. The Yankees reportedly offered $300 million over 10 years.
Dodgers take first lead
Dodgers outfielder Tommy Edman just hit a solo home run off Carlos Rodón into the left-field stands. The Yankees starter rebounded with no further damage and made a nice play off the mound to end the inning.
Dodgers lead 1-0 in the third inning.
Strong, efficient inning for Yamamoto
An efficient inning by Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Despite a walk to Anthony Rizzo, he got Jazz Chisholm, Austin Wells and Anthony Rizzo out on nine combined pitches to keep the game scoreless.
Yankees 0, Dodgers 1 in bottom of second.
Scoreless through the first inning
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
Yankees starter Carlos Rodón surrendered a line drive single to Mookie Betts but otherwise was unscathed in the first inning.
Rodón ended it with a sky-high pop-up out from Game 1 hero Freddie Freeman.
Yankees 0, Dodgers 0 through 1 inning
Dodgers avoid early trouble
After Yoshinobu Yamamoto began Game 2 with a walk of Gleybor Torres, he got Juan Soto to ground out and followed with a strikeout of Aaron Judge.
He then got Giancarlo Stanton to pop out on the very first pitch to end the inning.
Yankees 0, Dodgers 0 after top of 1.
Game 2 begins!
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
Yoshinobu Yamamoto just threw a strike to Gleybor Torres and we are off in Game 2. Torres drew a walk and the Yankees have a baserunner to start the game.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for the Dodgers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed a record $325 million deal for the next season 12 seasons after starting his career in Japan.
Yamamoto had a solid rookie campaign and has pitched well in his first two playoff starts, one against the Padres in the Divisional Series and the other against the Mets in NLCS.
Ice Cube performing pregame
Rapper Ice Cube is here performing LA-based songs ahead of Game 2. He entered through the center field wall and walked all the way to home plate.
Ethier, Kemp throw first pitches
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
Former Dodgers All-Stars Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp threw the ceremonial first pitch for World Series Game 2.
Clayton Kershaw and Austin Barnes caught the throws.
Yankees hope Rodón keeps the hot hand
Yankees lefty starter Carlos Rodón has pitched very well in the postseason, specifically his two most recent starts.
In the ALCS against the Guardians, Rodón had two strong starts. He only allowed three runs over 10 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts and just one walk.
Dodgers have already put up display for Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam
It’s been less than 24 hours since Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series, but the Dodgers have already put up a display honoring the iconic moment.
A display featuring Freeman’s game-worn jersey and the game’s lineup card can be found on the suite level at Dodger Stadium along with a photo.
Strong ratings for Game 1
TV viewership for the World Series is up significantly over last year and was at its highest levels for a Game 1 since 2017, Fox announced today.
Dodgers have the historic advantage
After taking Game 1, the Dodgers are in the driver's seat. Since MLB adopted the best-of-seven format in the playoffs, teams winning the first game have won 65% of the series.
In the World Series, teams who have taken Game 1 have won the title 23 of 29 times since 1995, according to MLB.
Two of the times the Game 1 loser went on to win the World Series? The Yankees in 1996 and 2009. Both times the Yankees went on to win in six games.
Making their way to the game
World Series: Celebrities in the stands at Dodger Stadium
In La La Land, there’s never a shortage of star power when the Dodgers are playing big games.
See which celebrities were spotted in the stands during Game 1 of the epic World Series matchup between the Dodgers and New York Yankees.
Aaron Judge discusses the heartbreaking loss in Game 1
Aaron Judge discusses the Yankees’ loss to the Dodgers in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 1 of the World Series.
Getting ready for Game 2
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
Here's a video of Aaron Judge with fans before the World Series.
Free World Series watch parties to be held at World Trade Center
The Port Authority of New York will host free public viewings of the 2024 MLB World Series starting Oct. 25 at the World Trade Center.
The viewings will be located at the North Oculus Plaza, and fans can order food and drinks from the nearby Oculus Beer Garden and Westfield World Trade Center shops and restaurants.
Additional activities, giveaways, and food options will be available starting with the viewing for Game 2.
The outdoor viewings are scheduled to take place rain or shine.
Freeman channels Kirk Gibson with walk-off
It all feels surreal–like deja vu on the grandest of scales.
Did Freddie Freeman really just channel Kirk Gibson, rekindling the spirit of a moment that is forever etched into the hearts of Dodgers fans from 36 years ago?
Did the Los Angeles Dodgers really just go steal victory from the jaws of defeat in Game 1 of the World Series with one out left to spare?
Yes. Yes, they did.
A historic rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers resumes in Los Angeles for game one of the World Series. The last time the teams met in the fall classic was 1981. NBC News’ Morgan Chesky reports.
Lineups for both teams announced
The Yankees run out the same batting order as last night while the Dodgers mix things up by moving Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez up and hero Freddie Freeman down to the cleanup spot.
Walker Buehler will start Game 3 of the World Series for the Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Right-hander Walker Buehler will start Game 3 of the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manager Dave Roberts made the announcement before Game 2 today for the Dodgers, who won the series opener 6-3 on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning.
Game 3 will be at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.
“We just love Walker in big games,” Roberts said. “The road isn’t going to faze him. It also allows him potentially to be available for a Game 7, too.”
Buehler has made two postseason starts for the Dodgers this fall, both on the road. He took a loss in San Diego on Oct. 8 after giving up six runs in the second inning of his five-inning start, but he rebounded to throw four scoreless innings with six strikeouts against the Mets in Game 3 of the NLCS on Oct. 16.
Giancarlo Stanton is having an outstanding postseason
Though Aaron Judge is likely to win the AL MVP, it’s been Giancarlo Stanton who has been the Yankees’ premier slugger this postseason.
Stanton entered Game 1 of the World Series batting .294 with five home runs and a 1.179 OPS. He’d also hit home runs in three straight games — and extended that streak to four Friday night.
Stanton’s 17 postseason homers are fourth all-time in Yankees history.
Aaron Judge voted player of the year by fellow major leaguers
LOS ANGELES — New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was voted player of the year and the American League’s outstanding player for the second time by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was voted the National League’s outstanding player, the union said Saturday.
Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers and 144 RBIs, hitting .322. He also won both awards in 2022.
Ohtani became the first player with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases, batting .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 steals. He was voted the AL’s outstanding player in 2021 and 2023 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels and won the overall player of the year in 2021.
Milwaukee first baseman Rhys Hoskins won the Marvin Miller man of the year award, given to a player whose leadership inspires others, and the philanthropist of the year award. Along with wife Jayme, Hoskins has raised over $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Dave Roberts celebrates the moment
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts describes the moment when he heard the walk-off grand slam off Freddie Freeman’s bat.
How the crowd reacted during walk-off
Here are the sights and sounds from Dodger Stadium as Freddie Freeman won it.
Gleyber Torres’ hit called a double after fan interfered and reached over stands to make the catch
Reporting from Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES — Major drama occurred in the opening game of the 2024 World Series that may have decided which team won Game 1.
With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, New York second baseman Gleyber Torres drilled a line drive ball 383 feet to left field.
As the ball was coming down, a fan reached out over the railing and snagged it in his glove. For a moment, it appeared as a home run to put the Yankees ahead 3-2.
Yankees hoping to avoid 0-2 hole
The Yankees were one out away from winning Game 1 on the road and now hope to even the series before returning to the Bronx.
History won't be on their side if they lose tonight. Since MLB has adopted the 2-3-2 format in a best-of-seven series, teams are 11-45 when losing the first two on the road, with World Series records being 7-27, according to MLB.
Judge, Ohtani headline star-studded World Series
The "Dan Le Batard Show" discusses the big-market World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking down what they’re watching for in what could be a historic Fall Classic.
Freddie Freeman finds his dad
Freeman went over to find his dad in the stands after hitting the winning grand slam in Game 1.
“I [was] just screaming in his face,” Freeman said to Ken Rosenthal during the postgame interview on Fox. “Sorry dad. This isn't my moment, it's my dad's moment."
All the twists and turns in Game 1
The Yankees were one out away from taking Game 1 and as the below chart shows, their win probability was extremely high when Freddie Freeman stepped into the batter's box.
