The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to host the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at 7:08 p.m., marking the 12th time the two teams are meeting in the season’s final series.
Los Angeles advanced through the National League Championship Series after defeating the New York Mets in six games. The Dodgers have now made the World Series in four of the last eight years.
The Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the American League Championship Series and will now play in their first World Series since the 2009 season.
New York and Los Angeles finished the regular season with the best records in their respective leagues. The Dodgers led the National League with a record of 98-64, and the Yankees finished 94-68 to sit atop the American League.
The Dodgers finished with a better overall record than the Yankees, so they will host Games 1 and 2 of the series and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7.
Meanwhile, the Yankees will host Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4, potentially Game 5 if necessary.
The Yankees and Dodgers have a long history of meeting in the World Series, with New York winning eight of the previous 11 meetings, though Los Angeles walked away victorious in the last meeting in 1981.
Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts said after defeating the Mets that this matchup is “kind of what the people wanted,” adding that the history of the two franchises should draw a lot of viewership.
“It’s what we all want. It’s fun. A battle of two good teams, a lot of long flights across the country, but that’s what makes it fun,” Betts said, according to MLB.com.
This matchup will also feature some of the league’s most well-known players, including Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, leading the races for their league’s MVP awards, according to Fox Sports.
Judge had one of the best seasons of his career since being drafted in 2016, hitting a league-high 58 home runs and 144 runs batted in (RBIs) while leading the league with 133 walks.
Ohtani was also incredibly impressive during his first season as a member of the Dodgers, putting together the first-ever season in which a player collected 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
Both players will now have the opportunity to show their skills on the biggest stage and carry their teams to a World Series title, with Los Angeles currently being favored to come out on top, per Fanduel Sportsbook.