The World Series is always the goal for the big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s been elusive recently, with first-round flops two years running. Now, with Shohei Ohtani leading the way for the first time, they are going for another championship. So a raucous clubhouse celebration was in order after the Dodgers beat the New York Mets to clinch their record 25th National League pennant.
“We hope we can do it again,” infielder Max Muncy said. “We need to get four more wins.”
Next up are the New York Yankees in the World Series, starting with Game 1 on Friday at Dodger Stadium. The best-of-seven series pits two of baseball’s most glamourous teams, with a storied World Series rivalry.
“I know the fans love this and the players love this, too,” Los Angeles outfielder Teoscar Hernández said. “It’s not going to be easy but we have the team, we have the help, and we’re going to go for that World Series trophy.”
The Yankees have beaten the Dodgers in eight of their 11 World Series clashes. The first seven were played in New York — with the Yankees in the Bronx and Dem Bums in Brooklyn. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles before the 1958 season.
“I think the whole world was looking forward or hoping for this potential matchup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“This is a team that stayed together. Everybody contributed,” Hernández said. “Shohei was a big part of all the wins we got, but the pitching, the bullpen was the big thing and thanks to them we’re here, going to the World Series.”
The Dodgers were in a perilous position in their NL Division Series, trailing the rival San Diego Padres. They rallied to win the last two games and take the best-of-five series 3-2.
“They proved to themselves how tough they are,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers are looking for their eighth World Series title, their second of the decade after their 2020 win over the Rays during the COVID-shortened season. This year could mean even more to the Dodgers, given all of the detractors who will never stop attacking that 2020 title. No one’s going to be able to call this one a Mickey Mouse World Series win!
