The energy in Los Angeles was thick, almost suffocating. You could feel it through the screen. When Freddie Freeman connected with that Nestor Cortes fastball in Game 1, sending it into the right-field pavilion for the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, the narrative felt written. If you are searching for Yankees vs Dodgers who won, the short, blunt answer is the Los Angeles Dodgers. They took the 2024 World Series four games to one. But honestly, just looking at the final tally of 4-1 doesn't even begin to cover the absolute chaos, the defensive meltdowns, and the historic individual performances that defined this Fall Classic.
It was a matchup the league had been dreaming of for decades. The two biggest brands in baseball. East Coast vs. West Coast. Judge vs. Ohtani. Yet, despite all the star power, the series was decided by the fundamentals—or lack thereof.
How the Dodgers Clinched the Title
The Dodgers didn't just win; they capitalized on every single mistake New York handed them. By the time the dust settled in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, the Dodgers were hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy after a 7-6 comeback victory that felt more like a fever dream than a professional baseball game.
The Yankees actually held a 5-0 lead in that clinching game. Gerrit Cole was dealing. Aaron Judge had finally found his power stroke with a massive home run. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed suit. It looked like the series was headed back to Los Angeles for Game 6. Then, the fifth inning happened. It was a defensive catastrophe that will haunt New York fans for a generation. Judge dropped a routine fly ball. Anthony Volpe threw a ball into the dirt. Gerrit Cole failed to cover first base on a grounder by Mookie Betts.
Five unearned runs later, the lead was gone.
The Dodgers showed why they spent over a billion dollars in the offseason. It wasn't just about the home runs. It was about the relentless pressure. They stayed in every count. They forced the Yankees to play perfect baseball, and the Yankees blinked. Teoscar Hernández’s double to center field that tied the game in the fifth was the symbolic dagger. Even though the Yankees briefly took the lead back, the momentum had shifted permanently.
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The Freddie Freeman Factor
You can't talk about who won without talking about Freddie Freeman. He was the undisputed MVP of the series. Playing on a badly sprained right ankle that would have sidelined most players for a month, Freeman put on a clinic. He homered in each of the first four games.
Think about that for a second.
He set a record by hitting a home run in six consecutive World Series games dating back to his time with the Atlanta Braves. His 12 RBIs tied a World Series record. While Shohei Ohtani struggled with a partially dislocated shoulder suffered in Game 2, Freeman carried the offensive load. He became the first player ever to record a walk-off grand slam in the World Series, a moment that echoed Kirk Gibson’s 1988 heroics but arguably carried more weight because of the sheer stakes of Game 1.
Why the Yankees Fell Short
It's easy to blame the managers, but the players on the field simply didn't execute when the lights were brightest. Aaron Judge, the likely AL MVP, had a miserable stretch through the first three games. He looked lost against the Dodgers' pitching staff, which utilized a "bullpen game" strategy that kept New York's hitters off-balance.
The Yankees’ pitching actually held up better than expected for much of the series. Gerrit Cole was largely excellent. Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil had their moments. But the offense went cold at the worst times, and the bullpen—usually a strength—couldn't hold the line in the late innings of Game 1 or Game 5.
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- Game 1: Dodgers 6, Yankees 3 (10 innings)
- Game 2: Dodgers 4, Yankees 2
- Game 3: Dodgers 4, Yankees 2
- Game 4: Yankees 11, Dodgers 4 (The Volpe Grand Slam Game)
- Game 5: Dodgers 7, Yankees 6
New York’s win in Game 4 gave a glimmer of hope. Anthony Volpe’s third-inning grand slam woke up the Bronx. For a night, it felt like the "Bronx Bombers" were back. But that hope was short-lived. The defensive lapses in Game 5 proved that you cannot give an elite team like the Dodgers extra outs.
The Strategic Masterclass of Dave Roberts
People love to criticize Dave Roberts. It’s basically a hobby in Southern California. But in the 2024 World Series, Roberts pushed every right button. When his starting rotation was decimated by injuries—missing guys like Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone—he leaned on a versatile bullpen.
Blake Treinen was a monster. He threw 2.1 high-stress innings in the final game. Walker Buehler, pitching on short rest and coming out of the bullpen for the first time in years, closed out the ninth inning to seal the championship. Roberts managed the series like a chess match, while Aaron Boone often seemed to be playing catch-up.
The decision to bring in Nestor Cortes—who hadn't pitched in weeks—to face Ohtani and Freeman in the tenth inning of Game 1 will be debated in New York sports bars for decades. It backfired spectacularly. Meanwhile, Roberts’ use of Michael Kopech and Alex Vesia in high-leverage spots was nearly flawless.
Historical Significance of the 2024 Matchup
This was the 12th time these two franchises met in the World Series. Before 2024, the Yankees held an 8-3 advantage in those meetings. The Dodgers’ victory brought that tally to 8-4, but more importantly, it solidified the Dodgers as the "Team of the 2020s." It was their second title in five years, following the 2020 shortened-season championship.
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This win also served as a massive validation for Shohei Ohtani. While he didn't put up eye-popping stats in the World Series specifically—largely due to the shoulder injury—his presence changed how the Yankees pitched to everyone else. He finally got his ring in his first-ever postseason appearance.
The Yankees, on the other hand, are left with a lot of questions. Juan Soto is headed to free agency. He was arguably their best player throughout the playoffs, and losing him would be a catastrophic blow to their 2025 chances.
Key Takeaways for Baseball Fans
If you're looking for what this means moving forward, there are a few undeniable truths. First, the "stars and scrubs" roster build is risky, but the Dodgers proved that having deep, versatile pitching is what actually wins rings. Second, defense still matters. The Yankees were statistically one of the worst baserunning and defensive teams in the league during the regular season, and it finally caught up to them on the biggest stage.
Next Steps for the Offseason:
- Watch the Juan Soto Sweepstakes: His performance in the World Series only added millions to his upcoming contract. Whether he stays in pinstripes or heads to Queens or Toronto will shift the balance of power in the MLB.
- Monitor Dodgers Pitching Health: With Shohei Ohtani expected to return to the mound in 2025, the Dodgers could be even more terrifying next season.
- Evaluate the Yankees' Fundamentals: Expect the Yankees to spend the spring focusing on the "little things" that cost them Game 5. They need more than just home runs to beat a team as disciplined as Los Angeles.
The 2024 World Series wasn't just about Yankees vs Dodgers who won. It was a reminder that in October, the smallest mistake can erase a season's worth of dominance. The Dodgers are the champions because they were the more complete team, plain and simple.