Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Series Preview
On Friday night, the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers begin a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
New York (35-20) has won seven consecutive series after a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels from Monday to Wednesday in Anaheim.
Los Angeles (34-22) went .500 in their previous 10 games and are 19-8 at home this season. They took two out of three from the Cleveland Guardians in their last series.
The Dodgers’ starting pitcher for game one of the series is right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who is making his sixth start of the season after returning from the Tommy John Surgery he underwent in 2023.
Max Fried takes the mound for the Yankees. The lefty is 7-0 with a 1.29 ERA and is yet to face a potent offense like the Dodgers’. However, you'd be hard-pressed to find a club with more depth than Los Angeles, and Fried should be up for the challenge.
Outside of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ hitter to watch in this series is first baseman Freddie Freeman, who leads the National League in batting average (.359) and OPS (1.044). Of course, Freeman hit the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history last year in game one against Nestor Cortes and the Yankees.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) runs the bases after hitting a a double in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Players on the Yankees’ active roster who once played for the Dodgers include LHP Ryan Yarbrough (2024), and OF Cody Bellinger (2017-2022).
Probable Pitchers (Where to Watch)
Note: The Yankees’ Starting Pitchers Are Always Listed Next to the Parentheses
Friday, May 30 - RHP Tony Gonsolin vs. LHP Max Fried (10:10 p.m. EDT on Apple TV+)
Saturday, May 31 - RHP Landon Knack vs. RHP Will Warren (7:15 p.m. EDT on FOX)
Sunday, June 1 - RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. TBD (7:05 p.m. EDT on ESPN)
Conor’s Keys to the Series
Give Fried run support early. A few early runs Friday night can provide a spark.
Fireworks from Aaron Judge. Judge suffered a torn ligament in his toe in 2023 at Dodger Stadium and has hit .300 in five games on the road against Los Angeles.
Attack Ohtani with off speed? But what kind of off speed is the real question. Ohtani has seen 141 change-up this season and is hitting .167 against the pitch. He’s demolishing sweepers (.333) and sliders (.355).
Image Credit: New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a double during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
More to come!
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