In a conflict of titans, the New York Yankees will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers within the World Sequence for the twelfth time. Sport 1 is Friday night time at Dodger Stadium (Fox Sports activities, 8:08 ET).
The extremely anticipated collection options 5 former MVPs — New York’s Aaron Choose and Giancarlo Stanton and L.A.’s Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman — and the groups with the second-highest (Yankees, $309,434,607) and fifth-highest payrolls (Dodgers, $241,010,117 ), per Spotrac.
Earlier than the World Sequence, Yardbarker spoke to a Main League Baseball scout, who assessed each groups. In change for his candor, YB granted him anonymity.
Yankees’ energy hitters
The Bronx Bombers characteristic the soon-to-be American League MVP in Choose (58 HRs, .322 BA) and a rejuvenated Stanton (27 HRs, .233 BA). Stanton hit solely two residence runs within the last 19 regular-season video games, however he has 5 in 9 postseason video games, together with one in every of the ultimate three ALCS video games.
“He is a swing-and-miss man who did not miss within the ALCS,” the scout mentioned of Stanton. “Cleveland made errors over the plate to him. You’ll be able to pitch to him, however proper now he is not lacking on pitchers’ errors.”
Whereas Stanton has flourished, Choose has had a rougher go within the postseason. He’s 5-for-31 in 9 video games with two residence runs and 13 strikeouts, however his efficiency up to now means little, in keeping with the scout. He is nonetheless a participant who can change a recreation — or collection — with one swing.
“It is so necessary to verify no one will get on base forward of him,” mentioned the scout. “Solo residence runs aren’t going to beat you. He hit some good pitches towards Cleveland, and he is develop into a significantly better hitter. When you do not execute your recreation plan towards him, he’ll harm you.”
Dodgers celebrity Ohtani
One of the best participant in baseball is lastly within the World Sequence. That is not one thing MLB has been in a position to say for fairly a while. The left-handed-hitting Ohtani is coming in pink sizzling after hitting .364 with a 1.185 OPS within the NLCS towards the New York Mets. Do the Yankees have a solution for him?
“It should be very exhausting for the Yankees,” mentioned the scout. “Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA) could possibly be a problem as a result of he is left-handed, however their right-handed pitchers are going to have a tricky time. Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) can beat anyone when he makes his pitches, however Ohtani is not simply anyone.”
This is the dilemma for the Yankees: Do they purpose to cease or restrict Ohtani? Or do they merely fear concerning the different hitters within the loaded L.A. lineup?
“If the Yankees angle to cease Ohtani, then they may simply get harm by [Mookie] Betts, [Teoscar] Hernandez and [Will] Smith,” mentioned the scout. “The Dodgers lineup could be very deep they usually can combine and match to something an opponent throws at them.”
Stopping the operating recreation
Stolen bases are again within the MLB with 3,617 recorded this season, essentially the most in 109 years. The Dodgers ranked tenth within the MLB with 136 steals, however twenty fourth in caught stealing at simply 23. Additionally they lead all groups within the postseason with 11 steals.
That places strain on Yankees catcher Austin Wells. Can he hold L.A.’s many operating threats at bay? It is not essentially all on him.
“Wells is way improved,” mentioned the scout of the catcher’s protection. “He was a poor catcher popping out of the (2020) draft. He is throwing higher than he has previously, however his pitchers have to offer him an opportunity. The Dodgers will attempt to steal, and it is so necessary Yankee pitchers maintain these runners on base. Wells will not have an opportunity if they do not.”
Yankees reliever Luke Weaver
The postseason at all times holds a number of surprises. None is larger this season than Weaver, a first-round choose in 2014 by the St. Louis Cardinals. Earlier this yr, the journeyman reliever was ineffective, however he later morphed right into a lockdown nearer after Clay Holmes’ ineffectiveness.
Within the ALCS, Weaver (7-3, 2.89 ERA) blew a save, however he has 4 saves and a win within the postseason. General, he has 12 strikeouts and one stroll.
“Earlier within the yr Weaver was simply hanging on,” mentioned the scout. “Impulsively he is gained confidence and is throwing unhittable fastballs on the prime of the zone. His changeup is efficient. He is shocked all people.”
Who would be the breakout star?
With 5 former MVPs within the collection, a lot of the eye will probably be on them, however the playoffs have a means of lifting up the lesser recognized. Little doubt no less than one of many MVPs will go away their mark on the collection, however historical past tells us there may nicely be a second such because the one White Sox unheralded Geoff Blum had within the 2005 World Sequence.
“Jazz Chisholm (24 HRs, 73 RBI) is not fairly the hitter that a few of his teammates are,” the scout mentioned of New York’s infielder/outfielder. “However he has expertise, and he’ll be pitched to due to the celebrities in entrance of him. The Dodgers cannot lose focus and provides him too many pitches to hit. He can actually harm you in case you’re not cautious.”
All quotations obtained firsthand except in any other case famous.
