Everything in the 2024 World Series followed a perfect script for the Los Angeles Dodgers until the seventh inning of Game 2 on Saturday night when superstar Shohei Ohtani slid into second base in a steal attempt, clearly injuring his left shoulder in the process.
Los Angeles fans were deeply concerned on Saturday night into Sunday afternoon until news broke that Ohtani will likely be in the lineup for Game 3 on Monday. The team has made no official announcement about his condition, but MLB.com published a story Sunday stating that skipper Dave Roberts said that Ohtani “is in a great spot,” and should be ready to DH.
The series opened with a dramatic Game 1 with a classic Hollywood script. Freddie Freeman sent Dodger Stadium into a frenzy with a walk-off grand slam in the tenth inning, sealing a 6-3 victory that echoed Kirk Gibson’s legendary homer at Chavez Ravine in 1988. In front of a roaring crowd of 52,000-plus, Freeman’s blast landed nearly in the same spot as Gibson’s, sparking a monumental celebration as he rounded the bases and embraced his father in the stands.
The Dodgers were on the ropes, down to their last out. New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to intentionally walk Mookie Betts, and Freeman capitalized, smashing a Nestor Cortes 92-mph fastball 423 feet into the bleachers. The game was loaded with intensity throughout, and the Dodgers survived a showdown that saw them battle past a Giancarlo Stanton homer and six innings of dominance from Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.
Fast-forward to Game 2, and the Dodgers once again found ways to disrupt the Yankees’ rhythm. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was nearly untouchable, throwing 6 ⅓ innings of one-hit ball and frustrating a Yankees lineup that had hoped to even the series with their power bats.
Homers from Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez gave Los Angeles a 4-2 lead they would carry to the end, despite a late surge from New York that loaded the bases in the ninth inning. Reliever Blake Treinen allowed one run while struggling to get the first two outs, but lefty Alex Vesia induced a flyout from pinch hitter Jose Trevino on one pitch to seal the victory.
Now, with a 2-0 lead and the series shifting to Yankee Stadium, the Dodgers are hopeful but cautious, especially as they await additional news about Ohtani’s shoulder. As they prepare for Game 3, questions surrounding Ohtani’s specific role cast a shadow on an otherwise jubilant start to the World Series.
Right-hander Walker Buehler is set to take the mound for Game 3 and will be opposed by New York righty Clarke Schmidt. Monday’s first pitch is slated for 8:08 p.m. Easten time.