CNN
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This World Series has already produced another classic episode in the long and historic rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It seemed unlikely that the Series would live up to the frenetic anticipation that has dominated the lead-up or become another memorable chapter in the 83-year rivalry these two teams share in the World Series.
But with one swing of the bat Friday, Freddie Freeman made sure Game 1 was over, hitting the first grand slam of the World Series while his Dodgers trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning. They were the last to leave. As Dodger Stadium erupted in delirium, he ran around the bases, celebrating that his team had somehow stolen a 6-3 victory in Game 1.
Now, a day later, the Yankees must regroup once again after a last-gasp Game 2 loss on Saturday night, when they face the Dodgers at home in Los Angeles.
For the Dodgers, Game 2 presents a golden opportunity to stamp their authority on the series by filling them with confidence before heading to New York for the next two games.
“Going out 1-0 is a great start,” Freeman said after the match.
The Dodgers are now three wins away from winning the World Series, and historically, teams that have won Game 1 have won the Series 191 times (65%) 121 times.
Since 1995, that number has increased to 29 of 23 times (79%) and in the current 2-3-2 formation, teams that won Game 1 at home have won the series 68 times (67%) of 101 times.
But the Yankees are still positive heading into Game 2.
“We outplayed that team the whole game,” Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo said after the loss. According to MLB.com. “At the end of the day, we’re two of the best teams here, so we’re going to come here with our heads held high, we’re going to be confident and we’re going to come out here and compete again.”
Both teams are loaded with stellar talent and can count on the likes of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton to accomplish the impossible, as Freeman did for the Dodgers.
The Yankees’ use of the bullpen will be under scrutiny in Game 2 following manager Aaron Boone’s decision to let Nestor Cortes pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning. Cortez hasn’t pitched since Sept. 18 with a left elbow strain, but was brought in to challenge the Dodgers’ left-handed duo of Ohtani and Freeman.
“If I wasn’t ready enough and I wasn’t healthy enough, I wouldn’t have done it. They wouldn’t let me,” Cortez said after the game, according to MLB.com “So I think we’re in a good position. I’ll get another chance. We have to win four games in this series. It was within reach, but we’ll come back stronger tomorrow.
Carlos Rodon will start for the Yankees in Game 2, hoping to stifle the Dodgers’ offense, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto hopes to replicate his dominant pitching performance against the Yankees in June.
How to watch and full program
Each of the seven games in the best-of-three series will be televised on Fox in the United States, with each contest starting at 8:08 p.m.
The program is as follows:
Game 2: Saturday, October 26 – Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees Dodger Stadium, 8:08 PM ET
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 28 – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees from Yankee Stadium, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Friday, Nov. 1 – New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, 8:08 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Saturday, November 2 – New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 8:08 PM ET
*If requested
