Red-hot Yankees fuel desire for payback against Dodgers in high-stake rematch

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LOS ANGELES — The New York Yankees return to Dodger Stadium this weekend with fire in their eyes and unfinished business in their hearts.

A rematch of the 2024 World Series — at least in narrative, if not in stakes — opens Friday when the AL-leading Yankees (35-20) visit the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers (34-22). The three-game set is a collision of powerhouses, headlined by the sport’s two reigning MVPs: Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

This isn’t just another marquee matchup. It’s a revenge tour stop.

Yankees arrive red-hot, fueled by pitching and payback

Winners of 16 of their last 20, including a sweep of the Angels capped by a 1-0 victory Wednesday, the Yankees are surging. Clarke Schmidt threw six shutout innings, following strong starts from Carlos Rodon and Ryan Yarbrough. The Yankees’ rotation — patched together in Gerrit Cole’s absence — has posted a stunning 2.54 ERA over their last 40 games, limiting opponents to one run or fewer in over half of them.

“They’ve given us a chance to win every single night,” said reliever Mark Leiter Jr. “Each guy is doing it their own way. We’re just riding that wave.”

Max Fried, the offseason ace acquisition, headlines Friday night’s opener with a 7-0 record and a 1.29 ERA. The Southern California native returns home in elite form. Rookie Will Warren is expected to follow on Saturday, with either Rodon or Yarbrough slated for Sunday.

Judge vs. Ohtani: MVP clash at the top

This series features a rare historic treat: three former MVPs in each lineup, a first in MLB history if all usual starters play. Judge (.391 AVG, 1.227 OPS) and Ohtani (MLB-best 20 HR, 1.042 OPS) are pacing their respective leagues. Both have legitimate shots at another MVP trophy.

Judge, the AL’s most feared bat, was walked twice intentionally by the Angels in the opening innings Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ohtani continues to dazzle, leading in homers and runs scored, while also eyeing a post-All-Star return to the mound following Tommy John rehab.

“I think Judge has been the best hitter in the sport for a while,” said manager Aaron Boone. “But Ohtani? We’ve never seen anything like him.”

A rematch… and a reminder

The Dodgers ended the Yankees’ 2024 World Series hopes with a stunning five-game triumph, capped by an infamous fifth inning in Game 5 where New York squandered a 5-0 lead. Errors from Judge and Volpe, along with Gerrit Cole’s mental lapse, cost them dearly. It’s a memory that lingers.

“I think falling short in the World Series will stay with me until I die,” Judge said after that defeat.

While Boone and his players downplay revenge, there’s no mistaking the undertone. “It’s another log on the fire,” Boone said this week. “We put this uniform on with a purpose.”

Dodgers still dangerous, but dinged up

Despite missing starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki, and a bullpen depleted by injuries to Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, and others, the Dodgers remain lethal. Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman headline an offense among the league’s best in runs and home runs.

Freeman, last year’s World Series MVP, has picked up where he left off, batting .359 with a 1.044 OPS. He’ll face Paul Goldschmidt, a quietly dominant veteran batting .347 in his first Yankees campaign. Goldschmidt has a career .308 average at Dodger Stadium.

“He’s more than an X-factor,” Boone said. “He’s one of our dudes.”

Lineups in focus: Position battles everywhere

At catcher, Austin Wells — with his quirky beard superstition — has earned praise from the Yankees’ staff. Across from him, Will Smith leads NL catchers in WAR.

Volpe has matured at shortstop, while Betts, shifting from the outfield, is trying to adapt defensively.

In left field, Yankees rookie Jasson Domínguez has impressed with his speed and pop, while the Dodgers continue waiting on production from Michael Conforto.

Ben Rice has emerged as a viable DH option for New York in Giancarlo Stanton’s absence. Meanwhile, Ohtani anchors the Dodgers’ offense in the DH spot and is once again performing at a historic pace.

Rotation and bullpen showdown

The Yankees’ rotation has steadied without Cole, led by Fried and Rodon (2.60 ERA). Their bullpen has also rebounded, with Luke Weaver reclaiming the closer role and Jonathan Loáisiga providing firepower in high-leverage spots.

In contrast, the Dodgers’ bullpen has thrown more innings than any other in MLB — and it’s showing. $72 million closer Tanner Scott has imploded recently, and their depth is being tested.

The fire burns quietly beneath the surface

This isn’t technically a postseason rematch — not yet. But the series will be broadcast nationally: Friday on Apple TV+, Saturday on FOX, and Sunday on ESPN. The hype is real. The suite prices are through the roof. Dodgers fans are still celebrating last October. Yankees fans are still stewing.

Chris Taylor mocked the Yankees on a podcast. Joe Kelly said their scouting report called the Yankees “incapable of making a play.”

Boone responded: “They have the right to say whatever. They won. We didn’t play our best.”

Luke Weaver was more introspective: “When you lose, you ain’t got much to say. They said what they said. We know what happened. Now we’ve got to go out there and take care of business.”

A battle for October, but in May

As Friday’s game approaches, the Yankees’ eyes are fixed not just on revenge, but on respect. They’ve rebuilt their roster, steadied their pitching, and watched Judge reach new heights. If this is the prelude to another October clash, it will say plenty about how far they’ve come — and how far they still aim to go.

“This is one of those series,” Boone said, “that gets everyone watching. That’s a good thing for the game.”

And it’s a great thing for baseball fans.

Up next:
Friday – Max Fried vs. Tony Gonsolin (Apple TV+)
Saturday – Will Warren vs. Landon Knack (FOX)
Sunday – TBD vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (ESPN)

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