Why Are Dodgers vs. Yankees Games So Special?
Texas high school football might own Friday nights, but Dodgers vs. Yankees matchups dominate baseball’s spotlight. This rivalry spans decades, rooted in 11 World Series meetings before 2024, with the Yankees holding an 8-3 edge historically. The 2024 Fall Classic flipped the script, as the Dodgers claimed their eighth title in a thrilling five-game series. What makes these games electric? It’s the clash of star power, the stakes of postseason glory, and the roar of packed stadiums—Dodger Stadium’s 56,000 seats and Yankee Stadium’s 46,537 buzzing with energy.
These matchups blend legacy and modernity. The Dodgers, now West Coast icons after leaving Brooklyn, face off against the Yankees, the Bronx Bombers with 27 championships. Player stats from these games don’t just tell a story—they reveal the heartbeat of baseball’s elite.
Dodgers vs. Yankees: A 2024 World Series Recap
The 2024 World Series was a rollercoaster, with the Dodgers emerging victorious 4-1. Let’s break down the essentials:
- Game 1: Dodgers 6, Yankees 3 (10 innings) – Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam stole the show.
- Game 2: Dodgers 4, Yankees 2 – Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 6.1 innings of one-run ball silenced New York’s bats.
- Game 3: Dodgers 4, Yankees 2 – Freeman homered again, and Walker Buehler dealt five scoreless innings.
- Game 4: Yankees 11, Dodgers 4 – New York’s offense erupted, but it was too little, too late.
- Game 5: Dodgers 7, Yankees 6 – A five-run comeback sealed the championship at Yankee Stadium.
The Dodgers averaged 5.0 runs per game to the Yankees’ 4.8, but L.A.’s clutch hitting and bullpen depth proved decisive. Want the nitty-gritty? Let’s zoom in on the players who shaped this series.

Who Were the Standout Players in the 2024 World Series?
Player stats from Dodgers vs. Yankees games are a treasure trove of brilliance. Here’s who lit up the stat sheet:
Freddie Freeman – Dodgers’ MVP Machine
- Stats: .300 AVG, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 1.133 OPS (5 games).
- Highlight: His Game 1 grand slam—a 403-foot blast—set the tone, earning him World Series MVP honors.
- Impact: Freeman’s six straight World Series games with a homer (dating back to 2021 with Atlanta) is an MLB record.
Freeman, nursing an ankle injury all postseason, turned pain into power. His .286 postseason batting average against the Yankees historically only hints at his 2024 dominance.
Aaron Judge – Yankees’ Struggling Slugger
- Stats: .133 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 6 K (5 games).
- Context: After a 58-homer, 144-RBI regular season, Judge’s .197 series average was a shock.
- Bright Spot: His Game 5 double offered a flicker of hope, but strikeouts plagued him.
Judge’s postseason woes—he’s now hitting .205 in 49 playoff games—left Yankees fans yearning for more from their captain.
Shohei Ohtani – Dodgers’ Two-Way Star
- Stats: .200 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB (5 games).
- Note: A shoulder injury in Game 2 limited his swing, yet he scored four runs, including in Game 1’s rally.
- Legacy: Ohtani’s first World Series ring came as a hitter, not a pitcher, but his presence loomed large.
Ohtani’s regular-season .310 AVG and 54 homers made his quieter series a footnote to his brilliance.
Giancarlo Stanton – Yankees’ Lone Bright Spot
- Stats: .263 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .842 OPS (5 games).
- Clutch: His Game 4 homer sparked an 11-run outburst, keeping New York alive.
- History: Stanton’s .275 average vs. the Dodgers in 46 career games shows his comfort against L.A.
Stanton’s power couldn’t offset the Yankees’ broader struggles, but he delivered when it mattered most.
How Do Dodgers and Yankees Players Compare Statistically?
Let’s stack up key stats from the 2024 World Series:
Player | Team | AVG | HR | RBI | OBP | SLG | K |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Freddie Freeman | Dodgers | .300 | 4 | 12 | .400 | .733 | 4 |
Shohei Ohtani | Dodgers | .200 | 0 | 2 | .360 | .250 | 5 |
Mookie Betts | Dodgers | .238 | 1 | 3 | .333 | .429 | 2 |
Aaron Judge | Yankees | .133 | 0 | 1 | .316 | .200 | 6 |
Giancarlo Stanton | Yankees | .263 | 2 | 5 | .333 | .579 | 5 |
Juan Soto | Yankees | .200 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .400 | 4 |
- Dodgers Edge: Freeman’s heroics and Betts’ timely hits outshone the Yankees’ top bats.
- Yankees Struggle: Judge’s slump and Soto’s .229 career average vs. L.A. (44 games) hurt their offense.
The Dodgers’ .234 team batting average topped the Yankees’ .197, with L.A.’s six homers doubling New York’s three.
What’s the Practice Schedule for Dodgers and Yankees Players?
Preparation fuels performance. Here’s a glimpse into a typical weekly practice schedule during the 2025 regular season, based on MLB norms:
Day | Dodgers Schedule | Yankees Schedule |
---|---|---|
Monday | Batting practice, film study (2-4 PM) | Weight training, BP (1-3 PM) |
Tuesday | Game day warm-up (4-6 PM) | Game day drills (3-5 PM) |
Wednesday | Pitching drills, conditioning (1-3 PM) | Fielding practice, BP (2-4 PM) |
Thursday | Rest or light BP (optional, 12-2 PM) | Rest or film review (optional, 1-3 PM) |
Friday | Game day prep, stretching (3-5 PM) | Game day BP, stretching (3-5 PM) |
Saturday | Defensive drills, BP (1-3 PM) | Pitching focus, BP (2-4 PM) |
Sunday | Game day warm-up (11 AM-1 PM) | Game day warm-up (11 AM-1 PM) |
- Note: Schedules shift with travel and game times. Postseason ramps up intensity with extra bullpen sessions and strategy meetings.
How Do Dodgers and Yankees Prepare for Each Other?
Facing a rival like the Yankees or Dodgers demands precision:
- Dodgers Approach: Manager Dave Roberts leans on analytics—pitch sequencing, spray charts—to exploit Judge’s high strikeout tendencies (35% in 2024 regular season). Bullpen depth (eight relievers used in Game 3) is key.
- Yankees Strategy: Aaron Boone counters with power pitching—Gerrit Cole’s 3.14 postseason ERA shines—but struggles to adjust when stars like Judge falter.
Both teams study film relentlessly. The Dodgers targeted Soto’s .229 average against them, while the Yankees tried (and failed) to solve Freeman’s postseason magic.
What Can Fans Learn from Dodgers vs. Yankees Stats?
Stats aren’t just numbers—they’re lessons:
- Clutch Matters: Freeman’s 12 RBI in five games show why postseason heroes win rings.
- Depth Wins: The Dodgers’ bullpen ERA of 2.95 in the series outpaced the Yankees’ 4.50.
- Stars Can Fade: Judge’s .133 AVG reminds us even MVPs stumble under pressure.
For aspiring players, emulate Freeman’s consistency—his .300 series average came from disciplined at-bats, not luck.

Why Does This Rivalry Endure?
The Dodgers-Yankees saga thrives on history and talent. From Mickey Owen’s 1941 dropped third strike to Freeman’s 2024 grand slam, these games are baseball folklore. The 2025 season looms—will Judge rebound? Can Ohtani pitch and hit in a rematch? The stats say it’s possible, and the fans demand it.
See Also: fballquery.com
Conclusion
The Dodgers vs. Yankees isn’t just about player stats—it’s about passion, pressure, and the pursuit of greatness. The 2024 World Series showcased Freeman’s brilliance, Judge’s struggles, and a Dodgers team that refused to fold. As we look to 2025, this rivalry promises more epic battles. Want to relive the magic or prep for the next clash? Follow @Dodgers and @Yankees on X, stream games on MLB.TV, or dive into box scores on ESPN.com. Baseball’s best rivalry isn’t slowing down—be part of it.