The Dodgers kicked off a big series against the Red Sox on Friday, the 25th, at Fenway Park. Before the first pitch was thrown, there was already a moment worth remembering. Former Dodger Walker Buehler, now with Boston, finally received his 2024 World Series ring. The one he earned helping Los Angeles win it all just last October.
There wasn’t a ceremony or any kind of spotlight. It was honestly fitting for a guy who meant so much to that championship. His old teammates were genuinely happy to see him again. You could tell there’s still a lot of respect there, not just for the pitcher he was, but for the kind of teammate he had always been.
Buehler’s impact on last year’s title wasn’t just in the stats. He came in during the last game of the World Series, not even warmed up, and still delivered. That kind of clutch moment sticks with you, and it’s why seeing him get his ring hit differently. Even though he’s now wearing a Red Sox uniform, everyone in that Dodgers dugout appreciates all he has done for the team.
Dodgers Stay Locked In
On the field, the Dodgers looked locked in from the start. This series was important, especially with how tight the NL West is right now. Every game matters, and the team is treating this East Coast trip like a tune-up for the playoffs.
Emmet Sheehan got the start in game one. The team has high hopes for him, and getting him back healthy could be a big boost heading into the second half of the season. He looked sharp early and gave the team some needed innings.
Mookie Betts wasn’t in the lineup due to a death in his family, but there was hope that he would be back in time for the weekend games. Many fans were hoping to see him return to Fenway. It’s where his career started, and it would add even more to an already loaded series.
Still, even without one of their biggest stars, the Dodgers stayed aggressive. The energy in the dugout never dropped. You could see the focus from pitch one. This team knows they have the talent, and now it’s all about execution.
Game 2 Recap: Saturday
The Red Sox took game two by a score of 4-2, leaning on early offense and sharp pitching to even the series. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández each launched solo home runs in the top of the first, putting the Dodgers on the board quickly. But the Red Sox came back in the second. Jarren Duran ripped a triple that scored two, followed by a sac fly from Abraham Toro to take the lead.
Roman Anthony added an insurance run in the fifth with an RBI double. Garrett Crochet held things down on the mound for the Sox, going six solid innings to earn the win. The Dodgers couldn’t muster much late, despite a few chances. It was the kind of grind-it-out loss that reminds teams how important it is to capitalize early.
Game 3 Recap: Sunday
Sunday’s finale was another tight contest, with the Red Sox winning 4-3 to take the series. Trevor Story got the Sox started in the first with a sac fly to bring in Roman Anthony. The Dodgers responded in the third and fourth innings, with RBIs from Freddie Freeman, Michael Conforto, and Mookie Betts, who returned to the lineup and made an immediate impact.
But once again, the Red Sox clawed back. Roman Anthony and Alex Bregman came up big in the fifth inning, with Anthony doubling to deep left and Bregman following with a two-run homer. The Dodgers threatened late but couldn’t break through against Boston’s bullpen. Brennan Bernardino earned the win for the Sox, and Jordan Hicks locked down the save.
Buehler’s Moment
For Buehler, it had to be a strange experience with mixed emotions; Playing for the Red Sox against a team he just helped win it all. And now he has the ring to prove it. That’s just how baseball goes: fast changes, new uniforms, and unexpected moments. But even with all that, Buehler will always be a Dodger in the eyes of LA fans. The hugs, the smiles, and the encounter before the game said everything. Sometimes, no words are needed.
What’s Next
This series was everything it was hyped up to be: intense and emotional. Boston took two of three, but the Dodgers showed they’re still dangerous even in tight games. With Betts back, the lineup is reloaded. And even in losses, the energy and fight were evident. There’s no doubt that this series will be one that both teams will remember.
One thing’s clear: the Dodgers are treating every game like it’s October. They didn’t come to Boston for the memories; they came to handle business. And for just a few minutes before the game, as Walker Buehler slipped on his ring, they were reminded of exactly what they’re chasing again this year.
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