LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers took a 2-0 World Series lead after winning the first two games at home. The Yankees’ offense was shut down by Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, who also raised concerns about Shohei Ohtani’s injury after he was caught stealing second base in the seventh inning.
Here are four key takeaways from the Dodgers’ 4-2 win on Saturday.
1. Aaron the Judge’s act of disappearance
It’s very hard to believe that the Yankees will make this World Series go the distance, let alone win, without the MVP version of Judge. For the second straight day, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher completely destroyed Judge’s bat. Game 1 starter Jack Flaherty and Game 2 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto combined to strike out Judge five times in six at-bats and didn’t allow him to reach base. Yamamoto looked especially confident against the player who recorded the highest OPS (1.159) in baseball during the regular season.
Judge is now 1 for 9 with six hits in the Fall Classic. He is 6 for 40 this postseason with 19 strikeouts to go along with two home runs and six RBIs. In the span of a few weeks, he’s gone from being the best hitter in the universe to swinging at offspeed pitches like he’s throwing them out.
The Yankees had a hard time admitting publicly that Judge was missing pitches after the season he was used to. Whether it’s the long layoff before the playoffs begin or the break between the ALCS and the World Series, it seems like the lack of daily at-bats and games has affected Judge’s timing. That’s why he ended up showing up in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Guardians with a two-run home run over the top of closer Emmanuel Clase. If he just needs time to warm up, he could have a big week ahead of him when the series travels to the Bronx on Monday. With a championship on the line, the Yankees can only hope so. – Deesha Thosar
2. Time to give Tommy Edman her flowers
It turns out that Edman’s MVP performance in the NLCS for the Dodgers against the Mets was no fluke. Los Angeles’ Swiss Army knife has picked up where he left off, going 4-for-8 with two runs scored and an RBI in the World Series so far. His latest trick was a solo shot to Carlos Rodón at second to put the Dodgers on the board.
Edman hadn’t played this season when Andrew Friedman traded him this summer. The Dodgers needed an infielder at the time, knowing they no longer wanted to play Mookie Betts at shortstop, while proving that Gavin Lux and Kiké Hernandez were not everyday players. There was a real risk in making him the only player substituted at the deadline. No one really knew how Edman would play after his offseason wrist surgery, which included a setback in spring training. Although his performance in August and September was underwhelming, Edman was huge for the Dodgers in October.
Not only does he show up at the plate, but the former Glover has easily transitioned between shortstop and center field from game to game. While his name won’t often appear on a star-studded team, he’s been a big part of the Dodgers’ team — and could be a big factor in them winning it all. — Thozar
3. Carlos Rodón is nervous
After a flurry of southpaws this postseason, the Yankees it was necessary knowing that there is a good chance that Rodón will show the way he did on Saturday. Aaron Boone and the Yankees pitching staff are just as responsible for this poor outing as the lefty. Rodón took the mound for Game 2 giving up seven earned runs over the past three playoff games (14.1 innings) in October. He homered against the Royals in the ALDS, then was fined in his first ALCS outing, but struggled again in the contest against Cleveland. On Saturday, he gave up home runs to Edman, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández in the third inning and was pulled in the fourth.
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The ups and downs of Rodón’s postseason nature spelled trouble when New York lost Game 1 in Los Angeles. More than anything, the Yankees needed a reliable starter who would give them the best chance to get back to the Bronx with a series split. That makes right-hander Clarke Schmidt the best option in Game 2, not only because he’s been more consistent on the road than Rodón, who plays better at home, but also because the Dodgers have hit so well. Why take that chance when the Yankees it was necessary reconciliation?
Beyond the team’s culpability, Rodón’s inability to shine on the sport’s biggest stage is a huge blow to the Yankees. Nights like Saturday are exactly what led them to sign him to a six-year, $162 million deal before the 2023 season. That he stayed healthy all year, pitching innings and making quality starts in half of his 32 games while ace Gerrit Cole missed two-plus months of the season with an elbow injury has been a huge asset. His inconsistency since then has made him a questionable choice to start Saturday in first place, and now has the Yankees in an insurmountable 0-2 hole. — Thozar
4. A loss that would be a cost in victory
Taking a 2-0 lead in the series didn’t come without a big cost, as the Dodgers’ already-destroyed lineup may have taken a hit.
Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani hurt his left shoulder when he was caught in the seventh inning. Roberts was encouraged by the initial strength and mobility checklist and said he “expects he’s on the list,” but won’t know more until the scan is complete.
“Obviously when you get any of your players going down, it’s a concern,” Roberts said. “But after the type of movement, the strength test, I feel a lot better about it.”
Dodgers players after the game seemed oblivious to the severity of the injury. Ohtani left the field immediately after the game and was not available to provide an update. Based on initial testing, however, Roberts believes Ohtani will be available to play as the series moves to New York.
“I expect him to be there,” Roberts said.
Ohtani was caught stealing four times while recording 59 stolen bases in the regular season, but was caught stealing in both of his attempts in the postseason. – Rowan Kavner
Deesha Thosar is an MLB reporter for FOX Sports. He previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow him on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the LA Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, raised in Texas, and returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
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