The New York Yankees have advanced to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. Juan Soto’s three-run home run in the 10th inning of extra time served as the decisive hit. While the Yankees’ World Series opponent has yet to be decided, the Los Angeles Dodgers lead the National League Championship Series with 3 wins and 2 losses. If the Dodgers win, “Aaron Judge vs Shohei Ohtani” will be a dream match.
The Dodgers will play Game 6 of the “2024 Major League Postseason” National League Championship Series against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on Monday (Korea time). With one win and one loss at home, the Dodgers secured two wins in three consecutive away games in New York, hoping to advance to the World Series. However, it failed to block the Mets’ explosive firepower in Game 5 on Wednesday, and suffered a crushing 6-12 loss to lead the series to Game 6.
A day later, the Yankees confirmed their advance to the World Series on Tuesday. The Cleveland Guardians, who had one win and three losses, showed strong resistance, but Soto’s three-run homerun in the 10th inning gave them the win.
In the top of the 10th inning, leadoff hitter Anthony Wolfie only hit a straight hit to shortstop, but Austin Wells walked to get on base to see the opportunity. The next Alex Verdugo at-bat was a decisive error by Cliblad. Second baseman Andres Jimenez, who caught Verdugo’s ball, handed the ball to shortstop Brian Lockio was not delivered properly. The Yankees, who almost finished the inning with a double play, took the opportunity to hit first and second bases with one out.
Gleyber Torres struck out and failed to address the situation, but the Yankees had Soto. Taking the batter’s box with runners on the first and second bases with two outs, Soto hit a four-seam fastball of 95.2 miles per hour (about 153 kilometers) from right-hander Hunter Gaddis to hit a three-run homer in the middle of the month. Soto’s third homer of the postseason this year. Thanks to Soto’s three-run homer, the Yankees took a 5-2 lead and effectively sealed their victory. 스포츠토토
The Yankees last advanced to the World Series in 2009. They beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the 2009 World Series to win their 27th World Series title. However, they were far from the great power of the “axis of evil” era over the past 14 years.
Over the past three years, the team has posted only three wins and seven losses in the postseason. In 2021, the team lost to the Boston Red Sox, its rival in the American League East, and finished the fall baseball season with just one game. In 2022, it beat Cleveland in the Division Series to advance to the Championship Series, but lost four consecutive games without playing a single part in the Houston Astros. Last year, the team failed to pass the postseason threshold. Thanks to the stellar performances of Giancarlo Stanton and Soto, the team closed the Championship Series after five games and advanced to the World Series for the first time in 15 years.
Opponents have yet to be determined. Yankees can decide on an opponent as early as Monday in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. Dodgers announced a bullpen game. Michael Kopek will be its first pitcher. Kopek, who played as a starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox for the past two years, has changed his position to a bullpen pitcher this year. He has allowed only one hit in five postseason games, and has allowed no runs in four ⅓ innings.
If the Dodgers win, or if they advance to the World Series, a “dream showdown” could take place. Judge and Ohtani, who are likely to be MVP of both leagues this year, will face off. The Dodgers, who have yet to confirm their advance to the World Series, will try to win four championship series with Ohtani as the first hitter in the starting lineup. Freddie Freeman, who has an ankle injury, will be out, Max Muncy will be the first baseman, and Kike Hernandez will be the third baseman.
New York Mets starting lineup
Francisco Lindor (striker)-Brandon Nemo (left fielder)-Mark Vientos (third baseman)-Pete Alonso (first baseman)-Jessie Winker (designated hitter)-Starling Marte (right fielder)-Tyrone Taylor (center fielder)-Jeff McNeil (second baseman)-Francisco Alvarez (catcher), starting pitcher Sean Munaya
Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup
Shohei Ohtani (center fielder)-Mookie Betts (right fielder)-Teosca Hernandez (left fielder)-Tommy Edman (striker)-Max Muncy (first baseman)-Kike Hernandez (third baseman)-Andy Farragh (center fielder)-Will Smith (catcher)-Chris Taylor (second baseman), starting pitcher Michael Kopek