You’re probably here because you’ve got that itch. The kind of itch that only a box score between the two biggest titans in baseball can scratch. You want to know what's the score of the Dodger Yankee game, but when you open your favorite sports app, there’s nothing but a sea of "TBD" and spring training countdowns.
Honestly? There is no score. Not today.
It is mid-January 2026. The ground in the Bronx is likely frozen, and Dodger Stadium is currently hosting more groundskeepers than baserunners. If you're looking for a live update right now, you’ve hit a bit of a scheduling wall. But that doesn’t mean there isn't plenty to talk about regarding the fallout from their last meeting—or the massive collision course they are on for this summer.
The Last Time They Met: A World Series Hangover
To understand the current state of this rivalry, we have to look back at the 2025 season. It was basically a Hollywood script. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees met in a regular-season series in early June 2025 that felt like a playoff preview.
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On June 1, 2025, the Yankees actually managed to salvage some dignity. They beat the Dodgers 7-3. Ryan Yarbrough, of all people, turned into a wizard for six innings, holding that terrifying L.A. lineup to just four hits. Ben Rice hit a two-run homer that basically sucked the air out of Chavez Ravine. It was a big deal because the Dodgers had just spent the previous two days absolutely dismantling New York. On May 31, 2025, the Dodgers hung 18 runs on the Yanks. 18 to 2. It was a bloodbath.
But the "real" last score people remember isn't from June. It’s from the 2025 World Series.
The Dodgers won the 2025 World Series in five games. It wasn't even as close as the media wanted it to be. The clincher saw the Dodgers celebrate on the Yankees' home turf. It was the second time in two years that Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts hoisted a trophy while the Yankees headed to the off-season wondering what went wrong with their pitching rotation.
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When Do They Play Next?
Since we’re in the dead of winter, you’re going to have to wait a while for a new score. The 2026 MLB schedule is already out, and the league is leans into the drama.
- Opening Night 2026: The Yankees start their season on March 25, 2026, against the Giants.
- The Big Rematch: The Dodgers don't travel to Yankee Stadium until July 17–19, 2026.
That July series is going to be the first time since the World Series that these two rosters stand face-to-face. Tickets are already trending toward "mortgage payment" prices.
Why the Score Matters More in 2026
If you think the gap between these teams is closing, the January rumors suggest otherwise. The Dodgers just landed Kyle Tucker. Yeah, that Kyle Tucker. As if Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts weren't enough, they’ve added another $100 million-plus stick to the lineup.
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The Yankees, meanwhile, are currently in a bit of a standoff. They are reportedly deep in negotiations with Cody Bellinger, trying to bring the former Dodger back to the Bronx to fix their outfield issues. There's also talk of a trade for Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox. Essentially, the Yankees are frantically trying to build a roster that doesn't get outscored 18-2 again.
The Dodgers' projected payroll for 2026 is sitting at a staggering $413 million. To put that in perspective, their luxury tax bill alone is higher than the entire payroll of about twelve other MLB teams. When you ask about the score of a Dodger-Yankee game, you’re not just asking about baseball; you’re asking about the two different ways to build a "Superteam."
Actionable Insights for Fans
Since there is no live game today, January 18, here is what you should actually be doing to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check the International Signing Tracker: The 2026 international signing period just opened on January 15. The Yankees just snagged shortstops Germayhoni Beltre and Abrahan Pichardo. These are the kids who will be the "score" five years from now.
- Monitor the Bellinger Sweepstakes: If New York lands Bellinger, the July 17 matchup becomes a "revenge" narrative for Cody. Keep an eye on Jon Heyman’s feed for the final numbers.
- Spring Training Starts Soon: Pitchers and catchers report in about four weeks. That’s when we get the first "fake" scores of the year.
- Set Your Alerts for July: If you plan on seeing the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium, buy your tickets now. The 2025 World Series rematch is the most anticipated series of the 2026 regular season.
The "score" right now is zero-zero. But in the front offices, the Dodgers are currently winning the arms race.
Next Steps:
- Follow the MLB transactions wire for the official Kyle Tucker contract details.
- Review the Yankees' projected 2026 rotation to see if they have enough depth to handle Ohtani.
- Bookmark the July 17 calendar date for the actual return of this rivalry.