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Key Takeaways from an Electric World Series Game One

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Friday night saw an epic Game One of the 2024 World Series featuring the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. At a packed Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the Yankees began their 41st World Series appearance, while the Dodgers were making their 22nd.

The East Coast-West Coast match-up is extremely anticipated, with eyes on the game from all around the world. And those fans got everything they wanted and more, with the Dodgers coming out on top in extra innings. The game featured intensity and elite-level baseball from both sides, and the two teams seem to be neck-and-neck.

Key Takeaways from Game One of the World Series

Starting Pitching Crucial For Both Teams 

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took the hill against Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty. Cole did a huge favor for the Yankees and their staff. Aside from his high-level performance, his six innings pitched was the depth the club wanted.  Cole kept the bullpen at minimal work, although multiple names were called on. In six innings, Cole allowed four hits, one earned run, and struck out four. He threw 61 strikes on 88 pitches. The right-hander pounded the strike zone and worked aggressively with some top-notch Dodgers bats. Cole’s pitch location was questionable early on, flirting with the danger zones of the Dodgers’ dependable bats. Still, he settled in and worked with confidence, showing dominance. 

Flaherty returned the favor. He threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs, walking one and striking out six Yankees bats. The righty was also dominant, working a 96 mph fastball, mixing a knuckle curve and a slider. The Dodgers right-hander carved up the Yankees hitters, keeping Aaron Judge quiet, before Giancarlo Stanton broke the silence.  Both teams eventually did what they didn’t want to do, and used five relievers apiece. 

90 Feet at a Time

The saying, “Free 90s will come back to bite you in the behind” was absolutely relevant in this one. On the same track, capitalizing on free 90s will put you in the driver seat. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Hernandez tripled to right field. A ball that Juan Soto hustled for ended up being a triple. Will Smith hit a sac fly to score that runner. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Shohei Ohtani doubled to right off of Tommy Kahnle. The relay throw to the infield glanced off Gleyber Torres’ glove, and Ohtani advanced to third with heads-up baserunning. Mookie Betts drove in Ohtani to tie the game on a sacrifice fly. 

The Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. reached on a single in the 10th inning. He picked up on a high leg kick and slow time to the plate from Blake Treinen. Chisholm Jr, stole two bases off this read and ended up scoring the go-ahead run on an Anthony Volpe fielder’s choice. 

Jake Cousins pitched in the bottom of the 10th for the Yankees with the lead. After issuing a walk to Gavin Lux, he allowed Tommy Edman to reach on an infield single. Edman and Lux both advanced while tagging up on an Ohtani flyout in foul territory. This 90-foot capitalization put the tying and winning run in scoring position. 

10th Inning Pitching Change Bites Yankees

Aaron Boone saw a free base opened at first base with the tying and winning run in scoring position. His thought process was a lefty hitter on deck, Freddie Freeman. Freeman had been struggling the past few games he’s played. 

Pitching to Betts with first base opened and both important runs in scoring position would’ve been crazy. Giving Betts the free 90 wouldn’t have hurt. 

What did hurt was Freeman taking Nestor Cortes 409 feet to right field, walking it off with a grand slam. Cortes has not pitched since September. Putting him in such a crucial situation may have not been the best move, despite Cortes’ proven ability. The grand slam led to a 6-3 Dodgers victory in 10 innings. Game Two is Saturday night.

 

Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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