Shohei Ohtani, at 30 years old, is set to make his first World Series appearance after a historic season, becoming the first player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their place in the World Series after defeating the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) in six games. The Dodgers’ 10-5 victory in Game 6 sealed their fourth World Series appearance since 2017. In their last three appearances, the Dodgers have a 1-2 record, having lost in 2017 and 2018, but winning in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened season.
Throughout the NLCS, the Dodgers dominated both offensively and defensively, especially in Games 1, 3, and 4, where they outscored the Mets 27-2. Game 6 saw Los Angeles rally from an early 1-0 deficit, scoring six consecutive runs. Tommy Edman and Will Smith each hit two-run home runs in the third inning, while Edman added a two-run double in the first.
Additional insurance runs came in the later innings, including an RBI single from Shohei Ohtani in the sixth. The Dodgers extended their lead with a sacrifice fly from Teoscar Hernández, a double by Mookie Betts, and an RBI single by Enrique Hernández in the eighth inning. Over the series, the Dodgers scored a total of 46 runs, the fourth-most in a single playoff series in MLB history.
This postseason success marks a return to form for the Dodgers, who had struggled in recent years. After losing in the NLCS in 2021, Los Angeles was eliminated in the Divisional Series in back-to-back seasons, winning just one game in two postseasons. This time, the Dodgers exacted revenge on the San Diego Padres, who knocked them out of the playoffs in 2022, by eliminating their division rivals in the NLDS.
For Ohtani, this will be his first World Series appearance. After joining the Dodgers this season, he made history with his 50-home run and 50-stolen-base performance. Ohtani had previously won two American League MVP awards while playing for the Los Angeles Angels but had never played for a team with a winning record until joining the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, the New York Mets, despite having the highest payroll in MLB at over $305 million, have yet to reach the World Series since 2015.
The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the World Series, marking their 12th meeting in the Fall Classic, an MLB record. The Yankees have won eight of the previous 11 matchups.