Battle lines drawn: Inside Yankees-Dodgers position-by-position war
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Follow UsThe classic Los Angeles-New York rivalry often ignites debates about lifestyle—whether it’s comparing weather, recreation, or entertainment. But this year’s World Series shifts the focus solely to baseball, setting cultural contrasts aside.
With Game 1 approaching at Dodger Stadium on Friday, a closer look at both the Yankees and Dodgers reveals intriguing matchups across the field.
Yankees’ captain brings right field advantage
In center field, the matchup offers an intriguing contrast. The Dodgers have young standout Andy Pages, who showcased his talent in Game 5 of the NLCS with a three-hit performance, including two home runs. They also have the versatile Hernández, who can step in and has a history of delivering in clutch postseason moments. However, the Yankees boast Aaron Judge, whose postseason performance has been up and down, but his regular season dominance is undeniable. Judge hit 58 home runs during the season and added two more in the ALCS, bringing his total to 60. He also set a modern-era record for OPS+ among right-handed hitters in the AL/NL. Despite the Dodgers’ depth and rising stars, Judge’s power and record-setting season give the Yankees the edge in center field.
HoF battle in center field
The right field showdown presents one of the toughest comparisons, underscoring the complexity of breaking down this World Series matchup by position. On one side is Juan Soto, who turns 26 on Friday, riding high after his series-clinching home run in the ALCS. Soto’s regular season was outstanding, as he slashed .288/.419/.569 with a career-high 41 home runs, bringing his career WAR to an impressive 36.4, per Baseball Reference.
Opposing him is Mookie Betts, who showcased his versatility earlier in the season by filling in at shortstop before returning to his Gold Glove-caliber right-field position. Betts maintained excellent offensive numbers, hitting .289/.372/.491. Though he had a brief slump in October, Betts erased any concerns with a 1.063 OPS and four homers during the NLDS and NLCS.
Both players boast Hall of Fame-worthy resumes—Betts with two World Series rings and elite defensive skills, and Soto with one championship and a Cooperstown-bound trajectory. However, the edge goes to Soto, whose recent surge and emotional fire, especially evident in his ALCS celebration, make him a force as he heads into free agency.
DH battle set the stage for big blasts
At designated hitter, Giancarlo Stanton has been on a tear. His key home runs in the ALCS earned him MVP honors, and he’s now surpassed Babe Ruth with 16 postseason home runs, maintaining a 1.019 career playoff OPS. Notably, Stanton thrives at Dodger Stadium, hitting 10 homers and driving in 26 runs in just 25 games, including winning the 2022 All-Star Game MVP there.
Yet, Shohei Ohtani’s historic season gives the Dodgers the upper hand. Ohtani, despite a brief dip in production, quickly regained form, especially with runners in scoring position, going 18-for-23 in key moments. As MLB’s first-ever 50-50 player, his dominance on both offense and the mound secures the Dodgers a clear advantage at DH. But with Stanton surging in the postseason with immaculate power, he can dethrone Ohtani.
Backstop battle
Starting behind the plate, Yankees rookie Austin Wells draws attention with his throwback mustache, in sharp contrast to the clean-cut look of Dodgers catcher Will Smith—a difference as stark as the 2,450 miles separating the two cities. But when it comes to their on-field performance, the gap narrows.
Wells impressed in his debut season, particularly with his defense, ranking fourth in Fielding Run-Value among catchers with at least 500 innings at +13. Offensively, his 103 OPS+ was solid, but his September and postseason performance dipped, as he hit just .091 with a .349 OPS. Despite the struggles, he responded with a key home run after being dropped in the lineup. Smith, on the other hand, led the NL with a 33% caught-stealing rate, and while his defensive numbers weren’t as strong, his offensive consistency and postseason experience make him an asset.
Smith’s 116 OPS+ ranked fifth among catchers, and his home runs in the playoffs tip the catching advantage in the Dodgers’ favor. However, the Yankees’ rookie pack a power punch that can unnerve the Dodgers and steal the advantage anytime.
Rizzo rules and gives Yankees an edge
At first base, both teams are managing injuries. Anthony Rizzo for the Yankees has been playing through fractured fingers but delivered in the ALCS, going 6-for-14 with key at-bats. Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, likely headed for the Hall of Fame, has battled an ankle injury that sidelined him for two NLCS games. Despite that, he still managed seven hits in 32 postseason at-bats. Given Rizzo’s timely hitting and Freeman’s ongoing recovery, the edge at first base leans toward the Yankees.
Torress on a mission and can force Dodgers to pay
At second base, both Gleyber Torres of the Yankees and Gavin Lux of the Dodgers saw significant improvement as the season progressed. Torres posted a solid .292/.361/.419 slash line, while Lux delivered a slightly stronger .304/.390/.508. Defensively, the two were fairly evenly matched.
Torres carried his late-season form into the playoffs, boasting a .400 on-base percentage in the leadoff spot, contributing key hits, including a home run and two doubles. Lux, however, has struggled in October with a .592 OPS and has been hampered by a hip flexor injury. His playing time has been reduced, as he’s often been platooned with Kike Hernandez or Chris Taylor, depending on the Dodgers’ outfield setup. While Hernández’s postseason power—15 career home runs—adds depth, the Yankees hold the edge at second base due to Torres’ consistency.
Volpe’s defense can queer plate for Dodgers
At shortstop, Anthony Volpe, who as a young fan watched the Yankees celebrate their 2009 World Series win, has excelled this postseason. He’s hitting .310 with a .459 on-base percentage, showing improved opposite-field hitting.
For the Dodgers, shortstop has been a position in flux. Mookie Betts has returned to right field, and Miguel Rojas is dealing with a sports hernia. However, midseason addition Tommy Edman has shined, earning NLCS MVP honors with 11 hits in 27 at-bats, including a home run and three doubles. Despite Volpe’s impressive run, Edman’s postseason dominance gives the Dodgers the advantage at shortstop.
However, a motivated Volpe and defensive ability can nullify the advantage any time.
Jazz sings loud
At third base, Max Muncy returned from an injury-shortened regular season to post a 141 OPS+ with 15 home runs in 293 plate appearances. His strong postseason performance, including three home runs and a double, solidifies his impact. Hernández, known for his clutch playoff moments, adds further depth to the Dodgers at this position.
The Yankees counter with Jazz Chisholm Jr., who moved to third base after being traded from Miami midseason. While Chisholm initially made an offensive splash, his postseason numbers—just 5 hits in 34 at-bats—have been underwhelming. A closer look shows his performance aligns with his league-average metrics from Miami. But the energy he brings can even jazz up the team for a fight til the last.
Left field battle of gloves
In left field, the Dodgers’ decision to bring in Kiké Hernández on a one-year deal as part of their $1.2 billion offseason investment has paid off more than anticipated. Hernández posted strong regular season numbers with a 137 OPS+, hitting 33 home runs, 32 doubles, and driving in 99 runs. He’s carried that production into the postseason with two more homers. In contrast, the Yankees’ Alex Verdugo has struggled offensively, finishing the regular season with a .647 OPS and seeing that drop to .544 in October.
Rotation is Yankees’ best weapon
The Dodgers’ starting rotation has been heavily tested due to injuries, with key arms like Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Gavin Stone, and Dustin May sidelined. This forced the team to lean on bullpen games throughout October—an unusual approach for a club with a payroll exceeding $300 million. The midseason addition of Jack Flaherty offered some help, but his performances against the Padres and Mets were inconsistent. Meanwhile, Kodai Yamamoto showed improvement after early NLDS struggles as he worked his way back from shoulder issues, and Walker Buehler continued adjusting post-Tommy John surgery. Overall, the rotation remains thin.
The Yankees, on the other hand, boast a more reliable starting lineup, led by ace Gerrit Cole, arguably the best pitcher in this series. Carlos Rodón has settled into his role after managing his emotions in high-stakes October games, performing more like the top-tier free agent the Yankees signed. Clarke Schmidt has been a solid contributor on the road, delivering key performances in Kansas City and Cleveland. Rookie Luis Gil has also been impressive, despite some control issues, putting together a strong season that could earn him Rookie of the Year consideration. The Yankees hold the advantage in starting pitching.
Bullpen allow Yankees to fight it out
When it comes to the bullpen, fatigue could become a key factor due to the heavy October workload. Both teams have bolstered their relief staffs in different ways—the Dodgers added Michael Kopech, while the Yankees saw the surprising rise of Luke Weaver. The Yankees’ bullpen has been impressive, posting a 2.56 ERA over 38 2/3 innings and holding opponents to a .609 OPS in their early playoff matchups. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ relievers recorded a slightly higher 2.94 ERA over 49 innings but faced tougher offensive opponents in the Padres and Mets compared to the Yankees’ matchups against the Royals and Guardians.
Notably, the Dodgers’ top six relievers—Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Anthony Banda, Daniel Hudson, Kopech, and Alex Vesia—have excelled, combining for a 0.84 ERA and holding opponents to a .450 OPS this postseason.
This World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers is historically significant, marking the twelfth encounter between the two franchises and making it the most frequent postseason pairing in baseball history. The Yankees have historically fared well, winning eight of the previous eleven matchups, but past performances hold little weight for the current series.
Likewise, the Dodgers’ regular season success against the Yankees in 2024, where they won two of three games at Yankee Stadium, offers no predictive value for the upcoming contest.
The key to this series will be each team’s ability to contain the other’s potent offense. Both teams excelled in plate discipline during the regular season, with the Yankees and Dodgers finishing first and second in walks, respectively. In terms of starting pitching, the Yankees appear to have the edge. The series is expected to be competitive, likely extending to its full seven games before a champion is crowned.
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Follow Us- Categories: aaron judge, alex verdugo, anthony rizzo, anthony volpe, Austin Wells, gerrit cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Juan Soto, luke weaver, yankees vs. dodgers
- Tags: aaron judge, alex verdugo, anthony rizzo, anthony volpe, Austin Wells, gerrit cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Juan Soto, luke weaver, yankees vs. dodgers
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