World Series Game 1 Recap
FREDDIE MF FREEMAN WALK EM OFF!
Set the stage, World Series 2024, Los Angeles, California. There is no underdog, it’s Hollywood vs New York, I’m obsessed before a pitch is ever thrown. Despite being a lifelong Dodger fan, as a baseball first fan, this game was everything it was hyped up to be. From the first to the last pitch, incredible. If the rest of the series is anywhere near this, I’ll die a happy man. However, the umpires were atrocious, in an unbiased, factual way for both teams. How do you allow such mediocrity on the biggest stage in baseball?
We finally got a pitching duel, masterclasses from both Jack Flaherty and Gerrit Cole, going 5+ and 6+ innings respectively. Flaherty was fantastic, the pitch sequencing to Soto and Judge was perfect. He made one mistake to Giancarlo Stanton to deposited a 417 foot HR into LF. Flaherty had it all working, the velocity was up, he spun it really well, and kept hitters guessing all night. Just what the Dodgers needed. Cole came out ready to match him, and was about as efficient as it gets, rolling through the first three innings on 35 pitches. The contact vs Cole was loud all night, but the inability to score with RISP tonight was the Dodgers kryptonite. But it was no match for FREDDIE FREEMAN in the clutch. I couldn’t be more ecstatic right now, what a win in game 1.
Kike Hernandez got the scoring started with a 1-out triple in the 5th and Will Smith was able to drive him in on a sac-fly. The Yankees of course wouldn’t go down easy, and postseason star Giancarlo Stanton blasted a 2-run bomb in the 6th to regain the Yankees lead on a curveball down after Flaherty had him against the ropes. Tommy Edman continues to be a difference maker, despite the error in the 1st, he would be involved all night defensively and saved a massive run in this inning with a diving stop up the middle to prevent Jazz Chisholm from scoring, and allow Anthony Banda to strand the bases loaded.
Brusdar Graterol, who hadn’t pitched in a game since September 24 until tonight, was set to face the Yankees top of the order. He would retire Torres, Soto, and struck out Stanton with a 99mph demon sinker on the outside black. As good as they come when he’s healthy.
Kike Hernandez would continue to be clutch with a perfect sac bunt to set up runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out in the 7th, but Will Smith and Gavin Lux couldn’t get it done, as the Dodgers conitnued to leave runners in scoring position.
After an electric 8th from Alex Vesia, who I couldn’t be happier is healthy and back on the postseason roster. Vesia showcases the best fastball of any postseason pitcher in 2024. Yes, you read that right. Below is a fantastic thread by Adam Naliwajko, I encourage you to read it here.
Shohei Ohtani would hit a laser double off the top of the wall, that all of LA, including myself thought was leaving the yard. A throwing blunder would allow the ball to scoot away and Ohtani advanced to 3rd where Mookie Betts would drive him in on yet another sac fly to tie the game at 2.
Michael Kopech took the mound in the 9th, who is arguably the best pickup at the deadline. After getting two quick outs, fan interference occurs on what would’ve been a game changing solo HR from Gleyber Torres. Dave Roberts elects to IBB Soto, and face Aaron Judge with two on, two outs. Roberts would go back to the pen for Blake Treinen, where he would retire him on an infield pop fly.
The Hollywood ending was set. An emotional pregame ceremony to honor the late Fernando Valenzuela, to the bottom of the 9th we went with the heart of the Dodger order due up against breakout star Luke Weaver. Max Muncy missed the hanging changeup from Weaver which easily could’ve been deposited into the LA skies, and extra innings would ensue.
Treinen remained in the game after a short appearance, and after a Jazz Chisholm walk and two stolen bases, and a Rizzo IBB, the Yankees would find more runners on with less than two outs. With infield in, a diving stop from Tommy Edman was unable to cut down the run, or turn two and Chisholm would score the go-ahead run.
Bottom 10 with Game 1 on the line, the Dodgers would need a miracle ending only Hollywood could write to go home victorious. Gavin Lux would draw a one out walk and be followed by a Tommy Edman single to bring up Shohei Ohtani with the winning run on first against Nestor Cortes who hadn’t pitched since September 18. Ohtani would foul out to Alex Verdugo diving over the wall but advanced both runners as the ball would go out of play, an IBB of Mookie Betts later, Freddie Freeman enters the scene with the winning run on 2nd and two outs. FREDDIE WALKS EM OFF ON A GRAND SLAM. DODGERS TAKE GAME 1!
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