LOS ANGELES — You’re probably living under a rock if you haven’t heard about this year’s World Series matchup.
The Dodgers vs. the Yankees. Two of the biggest brands and most historic franchises in sports. Los Angeles vs. New York. West Coast vs. East Coast. How can any sports fan not know what’s about to happen?
No matter who the opponent was, those playing in the World Series would understand the magnitude of playing on baseball’s biggest stage. But there’s an extra pizzazz to this year’s matchup. Even if the players are trying to treat it like another game, they know the significance of these two teams meeting for the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time since 1981 and a record 12th time in history.
“This is like the mecca of baseball pretty much,” Yankees pitcher Tommy Kahnle told USA TODAY Sports. “To have the Dodgers for the Yankees in the World Series.”
Having played for both teams in recent years, Kahnle said he saw this matchup coming. They had been on a collision course over the past few years.
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“I just had a good feeling, and obviously being part of both franchises, it’s been pretty awesome,” he added.
The layoff from the teams last playing over the weekend has certainly helped all of it sink in. Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen said he was talking to his wife about the matchup on Wednesday and joked it could be the most anticipated matchup in all of sports in the past decade.
“To be a part of one where you have the biggest market on the East Coast facing the biggest market on the West Coast, it’s pretty cool,” Treinen said. “This has got to be one of the greatest matchups that any sports fan could ask for, and to be a part of it, to play in it is even more incredible.”
It’s hard to even comprehend being involved in for some. Even though he won’t pitch in the series due to injury, Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow said the kid in him is “freaking out right now” seeing the team he grew up watching play in the World Series against New York. On the other side, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe said his younger self wouldn’t be able to believe the situation he is in.
Seeing “Yankees vs. Dodgers” in any headline will garner plenty of interest in the United States, but this year comes with a greater opportunity for viewers, thanks to the Dodgers’ Japanese slugger Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobo Yamamoto.
It may only be contested by two U.S. teams, but this matchup could literally be a ‘World’ Series.
“I just think that it’s going to be a global World Series. I still stand by the fact that more eyeballs could be watching this series than any other World Series,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Whoever wins will certainly add to a storied legacy. The Yankees can tack on to their MLB-record 27 World Series wins, while the Dodgers will try to be the sixth team to have at least eight titles.
“These are two powerhouse teams, the most historic franchises and probably the biggest teams in MLB right now,” said Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo. “This is a huge matchup and it’s gonna be a lot of fun for everybody involved.”
There will be plenty of theatrics, from Hollywood to Broadway. Two iconic teams playing in iconic stadiums with passionate fan bases. Whether it only last four games or goes all the way to seven, expect it to be electric when it’s time to play ball.
“It’s hard to really kind of put in the words exactly what it means, but I’m really looking forward to it,” said Dodgers infielder Max Muncy.
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