In a conflict of titans, the New York Yankees will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers within the World Sequence for the twelfth time. Recreation 1 is Friday evening at Dodger Stadium (Fox Sports activities, 8:08 ET).
The extremely anticipated sequence options 5 former MVPs — New York’s Aaron Choose and Giancarlo Stanton and L.A.’s Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman — and the groups with the second-highest (Yankees, $309,434,607) and fifth-highest payrolls (Dodgers, $241,010,117 ), per Spotrac.
Earlier than the World Sequence, Yardbarker spoke to a Main League Baseball scout, who assessed each groups. In alternate for his candor, YB granted him anonymity.
Yankees’ energy hitters
The Bronx Bombers function the soon-to-be American League MVP in Choose (58 HRs, .322 BA) and a rejuvenated Stanton (27 HRs, .233 BA). Stanton hit solely two dwelling runs within the remaining 19 regular-season video games, however he has 5 in 9 postseason video games, together with one in every of the ultimate three ALCS video games.
“He is a swing-and-miss man who did not miss within the ALCS,” the scout stated of Stanton. “Cleveland made errors over the plate to him. You’ll be able to pitch to him, however proper now he isn’t lacking on pitchers’ errors.”
Whereas Stanton has flourished, Choose has had a rougher go within the postseason. He’s 5-for-31 in 9 video games with two dwelling runs and 13 strikeouts, however his efficiency up to now means little, in accordance with the scout. He is nonetheless a participant who can change a sport — or sequence — with one swing.
“It is so vital to verify no person will get on base forward of him,” stated the scout. “Solo dwelling runs aren’t going to beat you. He hit some good pitches in opposition to Cleveland, and he is turn into a a lot better hitter. In the event you do not execute your sport plan in opposition to him, he’ll harm you.”
Dodgers famous person Ohtani
One of the best participant in baseball is lastly within the World Sequence. That is not one thing MLB has been capable of say for fairly a while. The left-handed-hitting Ohtani is coming in pink sizzling after hitting .364 with a 1.185 OPS within the NLCS in opposition to the New York Mets. Do the Yankees have a solution for him?
“It should be very arduous for the Yankees,” stated the scout. “Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA) might be a problem as a result of he is left-handed, however their right-handed pitchers are going to have a tricky time. Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) can beat anyone when he makes his pitches, however Ohtani is not simply anyone.”
This is the dilemma for the Yankees: Do they intention to cease or restrict Ohtani? Or do they merely fear concerning the different hitters within the loaded L.A. lineup?
“If the Yankees angle to cease Ohtani, then they may simply get harm by [Mookie] Betts, [Teoscar] Hernandez and [Will] Smith,” stated the scout. “The Dodgers lineup may be very deep and so they can combine and match to something an opponent throws at them.”
Stopping the operating sport
Stolen bases are again within the MLB with 3,617 recorded this season, essentially the most in 109 years. The Dodgers ranked tenth within the MLB with 136 steals, however twenty fourth in caught stealing at simply 23. Additionally they lead all groups within the postseason with 11 steals.
That places stress on Yankees catcher Austin Wells. Can he maintain L.A.’s many operating threats at bay? It isn’t essentially all on him.
“Wells is way improved,” stated the scout of the catcher’s protection. “He was a poor catcher popping out of the (2020) draft. He is throwing higher than he has previously, however his pitchers have to provide him an opportunity. The Dodgers will attempt to steal, and it is so vital Yankee pitchers maintain these runners on base. Wells will not have an opportunity if they do not.”
Yankees reliever Luke Weaver
The postseason all the time holds just a few surprises. None is larger this season than Weaver, a first-round decide in 2014 by the St. Louis Cardinals. Earlier this yr, the journeyman reliever was ineffective, however he later morphed right into a lockdown nearer after Clay Holmes’ ineffectiveness.
Within the ALCS, Weaver (7-3, 2.89 ERA) blew a save, however he has 4 saves and a win within the postseason. Total, he has 12 strikeouts and one stroll.
“Earlier within the yr Weaver was simply hanging on,” stated the scout. “Abruptly he is gained confidence and is throwing unhittable fastballs on the prime of the zone. His changeup is efficient. He is stunned all people.”
Who would be the breakout star?
With 5 former MVPs within the sequence, a lot of the eye shall be on them, however the playoffs have a method of lifting up the lesser recognized. Little question no less than one of many MVPs will go away their mark on the sequence, however historical past tells us there may effectively be a second such because the one White Sox unheralded Geoff Blum had within the 2005 World Sequence.
“Jazz Chisholm (24 HRs, 73 RBI) is not fairly the hitter that a few of his teammates are,” the scout stated of New York’s infielder/outfielder. “However he has expertise, and he will be pitched to due to the celebrities in entrance of him. The Dodgers cannot lose focus and provides him too many pitches to hit. He can actually harm you for those who’re not cautious.”
All quotations obtained firsthand except in any other case famous.
