When people ask whos in the world series 2024, they aren't just looking for a couple of names. They're looking for the collision of two massive empires. This wasn't some "underdog story" or a "Cinderella run" by a scrappy wild card team. No, this was the heavyweights. We're talking about the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. It was the matchup everyone wanted, and honestly, the one most of the country feared because of how much space these two franchises occupy in the cultural zeitgeist.
If you weren't glued to the screen, here is the basic reality: the Dodgers won. They took the series four games to one. But that scoreline is kinda deceptive because it doesn't capture the absolute chaos that happened on the dirt.
Why the 2024 Matchup Was a Massive Deal
You’ve got to understand the historical weight here. This was the 12th time these two teams met in the Fall Classic. Before 2024, the last time they faced off for a ring was 1981. That is a long gap for two teams that basically define the sport. The Yankees were looking for their first title since 2009, while the Dodgers were trying to validate their 2020 "bubble" championship with a full-season trophy and a parade through downtown LA.
The rosters were basically a "Who's Who" of future Hall of Famers. On one side, you had Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese phenomenon who had just finished the first 50-50 (home runs and stolen bases) season in history. On the other, Aaron Judge, the Bronx bomber who hit 58 home runs during the regular season. It was the first time since 2012 that the two league MVPs faced each other in the World Series.
Breaking Down the Games: How the Dodgers Did It
Game 1 was essentially a movie script. The Yankees were leading in the bottom of the 10th inning. The stadium was vibrating. Up walks Freddie Freeman, who was literally hobbling on one good ankle because of a severe sprain. He saw a first-pitch fastball from Nestor Cortes and launched it into the right-field pavilion.
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Grand slam. Walk-off. Game over.
It was the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history. Honestly, that one swing felt like it broke the Yankees' spirit for the next few days. The Dodgers took Game 2 behind a stellar start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and then cruised through Game 3 in New York.
Suddenly, it was 3-0.
The Yankee Fight Back and the Game 5 Meltdown
The Yankees didn't just lay down. In Game 4, Anthony Volpe hit a grand slam of his own, and the Bronx Bombers cruised to an 11-4 win. For a second, people started wondering if a comeback was possible. In Game 5, it looked like it was happening. The Yankees jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Gerrit Cole was cruising. The crowd was deafening.
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Then, the fifth inning happened. It was probably the most disastrous defensive inning in the history of the New York Yankees.
Aaron Judge dropped a routine fly ball. Anthony Volpe threw a ball into the dirt. Gerrit Cole forgot to cover first base on a ground ball. The Dodgers scored five unearned runs in a single inning to tie it. It was brutal to watch if you’re a Yankees fan. The Dodgers eventually took a 7-6 lead in the eighth, and Walker Buehler—who had started Game 3—came out of the bullpen on short rest to close it out in the ninth.
Whos in the World Series 2024: Key Players and Stats
If you're looking for the specific names that defined the whos in the world series 2024 conversation, you have to start with the MVP.
- Freddie Freeman (LAD): He was the undisputed king of the series. He homered in each of the first four games. He tied the record with 12 RBIs in a single World Series. All on a bum ankle.
- Mookie Betts (LAD): He won his third career ring. He stayed consistent, drove in the winning run in Game 5 with a sacrifice fly, and played elite defense.
- Juan Soto (NYY): While Judge struggled for much of the series, Soto was a menace. He reached base constantly and was the only reason the Yankees felt dangerous in those middle games.
- Blake Treinen (LAD): The unsung hero. He pitched his heart out in Game 5, getting out of massive jams to keep the Dodgers in it before Buehler took over.
The Financial Elephant in the Room
We can't talk about these two teams without mentioning the money. The Dodgers spent over a billion dollars in the offseason, including that record-breaking $700 million contract for Ohtani. The Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in the league. Critics called it the "Checkbook Series."
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But money doesn't buy you a catch. It doesn't prevent a dropped fly ball in the fifth inning of an elimination game. The Dodgers won because they were deeper and, frankly, played much cleaner baseball when the pressure was at its peak.
What Happens Now?
Now that the 2024 season is in the books, the landscape of baseball has shifted. The Dodgers are no longer the team that "can't win the big one" in a full season. They are a certified dynasty. The Yankees, meanwhile, are left with a lot of questions about their defensive fundamentals and whether they can retain Juan Soto in free agency.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the fallout of the 2024 World Series, you should check out the official MLB film of the series or look into the upcoming 2025 spring training schedules. The rivalry is far from over, but for now, the trophy lives in Los Angeles.
To truly understand the impact of this series, look at the television ratings. They were the highest they’ve been in years. People want to see the giants fight. Whether you love them or hate them, the Dodgers and Yankees provided a spectacle that reminded everyone why baseball is still the national pastime.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Game 1 Highlights: If you only see one thing, watch Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam. It is the definitive moment of 2024 sports history.
- Review the Box Scores: Look at the Game 5 play-by-play to see exactly how the Yankees' defense collapsed; it's a masterclass in how momentum shifts in professional sports.
- Check Free Agency News: Keep an eye on Juan Soto's status, as his performance in the 2024 World Series likely added tens of millions to his next contract.