Dodgers vs Yankees
Ohtani and the Dodgers are headed to the world series. It will be their 22nd time there and Ohtani's first trip. This is both why he moved to the Dodgers and how they made it so far: he carried the team almost entirely himself through parts of the season, and the rest of the team rallied to win anyway even when he was fighting through his own slumps.
They will be facing the Yankees. This will be the Yankee's 41st World Series, their first since 1981. It will also be the 12th time the two teams have met in the World Series. Yankees have won 8 of those previous meetings. This meeting might go either way. The Dodgers have the edge offensively. Ohtani might be matched well against Judge, but the Dodgers have an assortment of other weapons—more than the Yankees do. The Yankees have the edge in pitching, though. The Dodgers had a good roster of pitchers on paper at the start of the season, but injuries have decimated that roster, leaving them struggling so much that it has fueled rumors that Ohtani himself will pitch, despite the fact that his shoulder is still recovering from surgery.
As a great pitcher and amazing hitter, Ohtani's entire career he has been drawing comparisons to Babe Ruth. They have always been favorable comparisons. With his amazing season this year, he has started to move beyond that, with some calling him better than Ruth and the greatest of all time. The latter is obviously subjective and impossible to prove, but the mere fact that it keeps coming up shows how impressed with him everyone is. A World Series win would really help that claim.
Most baseball fans not in New York will probably be cheering for LA. Ohtani has an amazing image and he makes everyone want him to win, whereas many people hate the Yankees. I bet you can guess which team Japan wants to win.
It will be a good series.
Me? I'm a Cubs fan from birth, so of course I hate the Yankees. I live in Japan and my kids are half-Japanese, so I have a fondness for Japanese players in MLB. Imanaga on the Cubs is doing amazing. I followed him here too when he played for Yokohama. But anyway, I have been cheering for Ohtani since he joined MLB and of course I'm pulling for his Dodgers in the World Series.
❦
 |
David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku. He blogs here and at laspina.org. Write him on Twitter or Mastodon. |
It's just so easy to hate the Yankees. I would have much rather seen the Tigers in the WS this year. I know it probably sounds like I am a bandwagon jumper, but I have got to cheer for the Dodgers. First, because I don't really care for the Yankees and second because the minor league team in my hometown is a Dodgers affiliate.
Good reasons to cheer for the better team!
Your thoughts on the Dodgers and Yankees World Series matchup are spot-on, and I love that Ohtani is such a big part of the story. As a huge Ohtani fan myself, it’s thrilling to see him finally get to this point with the Dodgers. He’s been nothing short of extraordinary this season, and it’s amazing how he’s carried the team through some rough patches. Even when he’s not at 100%, his presence on the field seems to elevate everyone around him.
The Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series feels like a classic showdown, and while the Yankees have the upper hand historically, this year feels different. Like you mentioned, the Dodgers’ offense is stacked, and with Ohtani leading the charge, they’ve got a real chance. His matchup against Judge is going to be epic, but I feel like Ohtani’s versatility as both a hitter and potentially a pitcher could give LA an edge, especially if his shoulder heals enough for him to step on the mound.
I agree that Ohtani has surpassed Babe Ruth comparisons. What he’s doing now, as both an elite hitter and pitcher, really pushes him into “greatest of all time” territory. A World Series win would only solidify that. And it’s hard not to root for him—he’s humble, hardworking, and truly loves the game. Plus, let’s be honest, outside of New York, not too many people are eager to see the Yankees win yet another title!
As a Cubs fan, I totally get your Yankees hate. But Ohtani has been such a joy to follow since his days in Japan, and seeing him shine on the biggest stage in baseball would be incredible. With his talent and charisma, he’s easy to root for, and I have no doubt Japan is rallying behind him and the Dodgers.
This World Series is going to be a must-watch, and I’ll be cheering for Ohtani and LA all the way!
Well said. This will be one of the best World Series in years. I'm excited to watch it, and though I really want the Dodgers to win, I wouldn't be disappointed if it goes to the last game.
I feel like Ohtani in this year alone has done more for the game than anyone in years. He has given MLB a clean image that they desperately needed and has brought in tons of non-baseball fans, which they also really needed. For these things alone, he deserves the win. But we'll see what the gods of baseball decide on, eh?