The Dodgers’ superstars have delivered this postseason, at instances overwhelming the competitors. That benefit won’t manifest or be as pronounced within the Fall Traditional, as Los Angeles takes on the American League’s top-seeded New York Yankees.
The heavyweight matchup is bound to check the depth of each rosters. Listed here are 5 X-factors who may swing the 2024 World Sequence within the Dodgers’ favor.
1. Freddie Freeman, first baseman
Freeman stated it will be “one hundred pc go” for him in Sport 1, although it is onerous to know precisely what to anticipate. The Dodgers have survived two rounds of the playoffs regardless of a clearly diminished and hobbled model of their All-Star first baseman, who returned 9 days after an ankle sprain and bone bruise that he stated would sometimes require a 4-6 week restoration.
Each step within the NLDS and NLCS appeared labored. When he managed to truck residence from second to attain a run in Sport 1 of the NLCS, he wanted Mookie Betts to catch him after crossing residence plate. It is the one run he has scored this postseason. He has gritted via the ache to begin eight playoff video games, serving as a supply of inspiration inside the clubhouse within the course of, however he has completed solely three of them. He missed two of the final three video games of the NLCS, together with the deciding Sport 6.
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Although he started the playoffs 6-for-17, all six of these hits had been singles. He then went 1-for-15 over his ultimate three video games of the NLCS. Supervisor Dave Roberts famous that Freeman’s ankle gave the impression to be compromising his swing the longer the collection progressed. If the week off can have him trying extra like himself on the plate, it might be a big increase to a juggernaut Dodgers offense that simply set an NLCS report with 46 runs in opposition to the Mets.
2. Walker Buehler, beginning pitcher
This yr has been a grind for Buehler, who hasn’t missed bats or commanded the baseball the best way we’re accustomed to seeing in his return from a second Tommy John surgical procedure. A strikeout fee that hovered above 26% in every of his first 5 seasons within the huge leagues was all the way down to a career-low 18.6% this yr, and his 5.38 ERA instructed the story of a pitcher who may now not overpower his opponents.
However after a prolonged search to search out his mechanics, one thing appeared to click on for him in a bullpen session in late August. He was removed from good after that, however a 4.35 ERA over his ultimate six regular-season begins represented a considerable enchancment — sufficient for him to earn a spot within the membership’s beleaguered playoff rotation. That, plus the Dodgers trusted his postseason pedigree. In 2018, he clinched the NL West for the Dodgers by successful a Sport 163 tiebreaker, then threw seven scoreless innings within the World Sequence. Two years later, he struck out 10 in his lone begin of the World Sequence to assist the Dodgers greatest the Rays.
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The larger the sport, the extra he tends to rise to the event. In his final begin of the 2024 common season, Buehler was on the mound because the Dodgers clinched the division in opposition to the Padres. His first begin of the postseason seemed worse than the six runs within the field rating displayed, as he was let down by his protection. In his final begin, he discovered success together with his breaking balls and struck out six Mets batters in 4 scoreless innings whereas getting 18 whiffs — his most in a recreation because the 2021 season. That is a model of Buehler that might win a World Sequence recreation and finish a bitter season on a candy observe earlier than he hits free company.
3. Kiké Hernández, second baseman
Ever since Hernández began visualizing his postseason success within the 2017 NLCS, when he launched three homers within the recreation that will ship the Dodgers to the World Sequence, he has been one in all baseball’s greatest postseason performers. This yr isn’t any exception.
Actually, although, his upward development this yr started shortly after the All-Star break, when he was recognized with astigmatism in his proper eye and started sporting prescription glasses on the sphere. He had a .766 OPS within the second half and has carried that crescendo into one other extraordinary October. He went from not beginning any of the Dodgers’ first three video games of the postseason to being a mainstay within the beginning lineup after Miguel Rojas went out with damage, homering in a do-or-die Sport 5 of the NLDS, going deep once more in Sport 3 of the NLCS, and hitting .303 total this postseason. In his regular-season profession, he has homered as soon as each 29 at-bats. In his postseason profession, he is homering twice as typically — about as soon as each 14 at-bats.
Even when Rojas and Gavin Lux are wholesome sufficient to play within the World Sequence, the Dodgers might need to proceed beginning Hernández each evening, contemplating the best way he has carried out. He transforms into a wholly completely different drive this time of yr, and odds are he’ll add one other defining second in some unspecified time in the future this collection.
4. Will Smith, catcher
Whereas Yankees rookie catcher Austin Wells is getting his first style of the playoffs, Smith is a seasoned veteran this time of yr. Smith loved some large moments in postseasons previous, together with a house run in Sport 5 of the 2020 NLCS in opposition to the Braves reliever who shared his similar identify, successful that may have saved the Dodgers’ season en path to a 3-1 comeback within the collection and a World Sequence triumph. There was no query on the All-Star break that Smith and Brewers catcher William Contreras had been the 2 greatest gamers at their place within the Nationwide League.
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Since then, although, Smith has endured some uncharacteristic struggles. His .838 OPS within the first half was greater than 200 factors decrease the remainder of the best way. These struggles continued into October. He enters the World Sequence hitting .158 this postseason. Nonetheless, two of his six hits have left the yard, together with a house run within the NLCS clincher that might assist get the scuffling catcher again on monitor. He has been probably the greatest hitters at his place since getting into the league in 2019, and his expertise and poise in these spots may show helpful.
5. Tommy Edman, shortstop
There was loads of consideration on the All-Star break on the additions of Jack Flaherty and Michael Kopech, contemplating the best way they may assist elevate the Dodgers’ depleted pitching workers. Nevertheless it was a extra under-the-radar acquisition who grew to become the NLCS MVP. In Edman, the Dodgers added a flexible defensive piece who, on the time of the deadline, had not but performed a recreation this season as he rehabbed a surgically-repaired wrist and an ankle damage. His potential to play each middle subject and shortstop was additive to a Dodgers crew that wanted assist at each spots.
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It then grew to become important with beginning shortstop Miguel Rojas banged up in October. What Edman has offered together with his bat, although, has been the shock. He led all gamers within the LCS with 11 hits and tied Corey Seager’s NLCS franchise report with 11 RBIs. If a left-hander’s on the mound, Edman is a drive. The switch-hitter had a 1.299 OPS in opposition to southpaws this yr in comparison with a .523 mark in opposition to righties. He went 7-for-12 with 4 extra-base hits in opposition to lefties within the NLCS, benefiting from his alternatives in opposition to left-handed starters Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana, whereas he was 4-for-15 with no extra-base hits in opposition to righties. Whereas he may battle in opposition to the Yankees’ extra right-handed heavy rotation, Edman’s matchup in opposition to the left-handed Carlos Rodón will likely be one to observe.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand coated the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved again to the West Coast in 2014. Observe him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
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