Dodgers Win 120th World Series
The Dodgers won Game 5 of the 120th World Series, 7-6, clinching their eighth World Championship, joining: 2020 (4-2 vs. Tampa Bay Rays); 1988 (4-1 vs. Oakland Athletics); 1981 (4-2 vs. New York Yankees); 1965 (4-3 vs. Minnesota Twins); 1963 (4-0 vs. New York Yankees); 1959 (4-2 vs. Chicago White Sox); and 1955 (4-3 vs. New York Yankees). The Dodgers eight World Series wins are the fourth-most of any Major League club and second-most in the National League trailing New York (27); St. Louis (11); and Boston (9).
In the 22 series that have been 3-0, only five have gone on to a fifth game, with all five clubs sealing the Fall Classic in Game 5, including: 2024 (Dodgers over Yankees); 1970 (Orioles over Reds); 1937 (Yankees over Giants); and 1910 (Athletics over Cubs). The Yankees have now played 68 elimination games in the Postseason, 27 of which have come in the World Series, which are both most among all Major League clubs.
Freddie Freeman Wins Willie Mays World Series MVP
Freddie Freeman was unanimously named Willie Mays World Series MVP after batting .300 (6-for-20) with four homers, 12 RBI, a triple, two walks, five runs scored, a .364 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Freeman’s 12 RBI in the World Series, are tied for the most in a single World Series with Bobby Richardson (12 RBI in 1960). They are the most by a Dodgers player within a single Postseason series, surpassing teammate Tommy Edman (11 RBI, 2024 NLCS) and Corey Seager (11 RBI, 2020 NLCS). Freeman’s 12 RBI are the most in a single Postseason series by an National League player. They are tied for third-most overall in a single Postseason series with John Valentin (1999 ALDS) and Richardson (1960 WS), trailing only Adolis GarcÃa (15 RBI, 2023 ALCS); and Nelson Cruz (13 RBI, 2011 ALCS).
He is the fourth first baseman to win the award, joining Steve Pearce (2018); Hall of Famer Willie Stargell (1979); and Donn Clendenon (1969). Among the 37 non-pitchers who have won the World Series MVP, only Freeman, Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson (1977 and 1973), Hideki Matsui (2009), Hall of Famer David Ortiz (2013), Darrell Porter (1982), Corey Seager (2023 and 2020), Hall of Famer Willie Stargell (1979) and switch-hitters Pete Rose (1975), Pablo Sandoval (2012) and Ben Zobrist (2016) batted left-handed. Position players have now accounted for 18 of the last 21 Willie Mays World Series MVP.
Freeman is the ninth Dodgers player (10th occurrence) to win Willie Mays World Series MVP, joining: shortstop Corey Seager (2020); pitcher Orel Hershiser (1988); third baseman Ron Cey, outfielder Pedro Guerrero and catcher Steve Yeager (1981); Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax (1965 and 1963); pitcher Larry Sherry (1959); and pitcher Johnny Podres (1955).
Freeman hit a home run in each of the first four games in this World Series, becoming the first player to hit a home run in each of the first four games of a World Series. He surpassed Barry Bonds (2002) and Hank Bauer (1958), who each homered in the first three games of their respective Fall Classics. Along with his home runs in Game 5 and 6 of the Braves’ 2021 World Series run, Freeman homered in six consecutive World Series games, surpassing George Springer for the most consecutive World Series games with a home run. Springer had a homer in five straight games, including Games 4, 5, 6 and 7 in 2017 and Game 1 in 2019.
Along with his triple and walk-off grand slam on Friday, Freeman became just the second player ever with at least two homers and a triple within the first two games of a World Series, joining Hall of Famer Babe Ruth in 1923 (h/t OptaSTATS). According to Sarah Langs, Freeman is the sixth player ever to hit multiple World Series homers with multiple World Series teams, joining: Corey Seager (LAD/TEX); Dave Henderson (BOS/OAK); Lenny Dykstra (PHI/NYM); Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson (OAK/NYY); and Reggie Smith (BOS/LAD)
Dodgers Win By 1
The Dodgers won by one run tonight, marking the 37th World Series clinching game that was decided by one run. It is the first time that the final game of the Fall Classic has been decided by just one run since the Cubs beat the Indians, 8-7, in 10 innings in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. It is the first nine-inning, one-run win in the final game of the World Series since the Giants beat the Royals in Game 7 of the 2014 Fall Classic.
RallyAnimals
The Dodgers rallied for five runs in the fifth inning, marking Los Angeles’ most in a single inning of the Fall Classic since they scored five runs in the ninth inning of Game 4 in the 2017 World Series against Houston. Per Elias, their five-run rally is the largest by a team trailing by at least five runs to come back and tie or take the lead in a potential clinching game in the World Series. Previously the record of a four-run rally was held by Detroit in Game 6 in 1945 and the Yankees in Game 6 in 1947, with both clubs going on to lose the potential clinching game but later win the World Series.
The Dodgers rallied back with two runs in the eighth inning as Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts hit a pair of sacrifice flies to tie the game and take the lead, respectively. Per Elias, the Dodgers rallied back from a 5-0 hole tonight, marking the largest comeback in a World Series clinching game. Previously the record was held by Pittsburgh, who came back from four runs behind to win Game 7 of the 1925 Fall Classic.
After Kiké Hernández hit a leadoff single to break up Gerrit Cole’s no-hit bid, Tommy Edman reached base as Aaron Judge dropped a line drive in center field. Will Smith reached one batter later as Anthony Volpe made a throwing error, trying to get the force out at third base. With no outs and the bases loaded, Cole dug in and struck out Gavin Lux and Shohei Ohtani in back-to-back at-bats. With two outs, Mookie Betts knocked an RBI single to first base to end Cole’s shutout, followed by a two-run single from Freddie Freeman and a game-tying two-run double from Teoscar Hernández.
Pitching Mania
Walker Buehler, who earned the win in Game 3, became the second pitcher in World Series history to earn the win as a starter in a game and tally the save in the series-clinching victory. Per Elias, Madison Bumgarner is the only other pitcher to accomplish the feat, taking the win in Game 1 and Game 5, and earning the save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.
The Dodgers used eight pitchers tonight, marking their second-most in a World Series game after using nine pitchers in Game 3 in 2018 and nine pitchers in Game 2 in 2017. The eight pitchers used are tied for the most in a Fall Classic potential clinching game, joining the 2011 Rangers (G6, 11 inn); the 1975 Reds (G6 – 12 inn); and the 1967 Cardinals (G6 – 9 inn). The Dodgers are the first club to use eight pitchers in a potential clinching game and win. Per Codify, the Dodgers are the first team to win the World Series while using at least four pitchers in every game of a Fall Classic. Los Angeles deployed six pitchers in Game 1; 5 pitchers in Game 2; seven pitchers in Game 3; four pitchers in Game 4; and eight pitchers in Game 5.
Overall, the eight pitchers used are tied for the second-most ever in a World Series game with the 2024 Yankees (G4 – 9 inn); the 2021 Astros (G6 – 9 inn); the 2011 Rangers (G6 – 11 inn); the 2005 Astros (G3 – 14 inn); the 1975 Reds (G6 -12 inn); the 1967 Cardinals (G6 – 9 inn); and the 1961 Reds (G5 – 9 inn). The only clubs to use nine pitchers in a game are the 2018 Dodgers (G3 – 18 inn); the 2018 Red Sox (G3 – 18 inn); the 2017 Dodgers (G2 – 11 inn); and the 2005 White Sox (G3 – 14 inn).
Trio Combines for Six RBI
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández each drove home two runs, marking the 12th time that at least three players drove home multiple runs in a World Series clinching game. The trio joins: the 2021 Braves (Freddie Freeman, Jorge Soler and Dansby Swanson); the 1989 Athletics (Rickey Henderson, Mike Moore and Terry Steinbach); the 1985 Royals (Steve Balboni, Darryl Motley and Lonnie Smith); the 1978 Yankees (Bucky Dent, Brian Doyle and Reggie Jackson); the 1970 Orioles (Davey Johnson, Merv Rettenmund and Frank Robinson); the 1961 Yankees (Johnny Blanchard, Hector Lopez and Bill Skowron); the 1960 Pirates (Rocky Nelson, Hal Smith and Bill Virdon); the 1959 Dodgers (Wally Moon, Charlie Neal and Duke Snider); the 1949 Yankees (4 players: Bobby Brown, Jerry Coleman and Joe DiMaggio); the 1932 Yankees (Earle Combs, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri and Joe Sewell); and the 1919 Reds (Pat Duncan, Bill Rariden and Edd Roush).
Back-to-Back Homers
Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched back-to-back homers in the first inning marking the 20th time ever that a team hit back-to-back homers in the World Series. It was the fifth time in Yankees’ World Series history that they hit back-to-back home runs, joining: Game 5 in 1977 (8th inn – Thurman Munson and Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson); Game 6 in 1964 (6th inn – Hall of Famers Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle); Game 3 in 1932 (5th inn – Hall of Famers Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig); and Game 4 in 1928 (7th inn – Hall of Famers Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig). Along with Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman’s back-to-back shots in Game 2, it is the first time ever that each club hit a set of back-to-back homers within the same World Series.
Crushed It
Giancarlo Stanton went deep to leadoff the third inning, marking his seventh homer of the Postseason and his second of the World Series. He added a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, putting New York ahead, 6-5. Stanton’s seven blasts this Postseason are the most by a Yankees player, breaking a tie with himself (2020); Alex Rodriguez (2009) and Bernie Williams (1996). Stanton is one of three players in Postseason history with at least six home runs in multiple Postseasons, joining Corey Seager (6 HR in 2023 and 8 HR in 2020); and Nelson Cruz (8 HR in 2011 and 6 HR in 2010). Stanton’s 18 career Postseason homers are tied for the third-most in Yankees’ Postseason history with Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle and trail only Williams (22); and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter (20).
Stanton batted .273 (15-for-55) with seven homers, 15 RBI, three doubles, six walks, nine runs scored, a stolen base and a 1.048 OPS this Postseason. He has hit safely in 11 of the Yankees’ 14 Postseason games and has reached base safely in all but one (G2, ALCS). He had a hit in six straight Postseason games dating back to Game 3 of the ALCS against Cleveland until Game 3 of the World Series. The slugger is the first Yankees player with a hit in at least 10 Postseason games within a single Postseason since Hall of Famer Derek Jeter had a hit in 14 games of the Postseason en route to winning the 2009 World Series.
Battle Tested
Gerrit Cole toed the rubber and began the night with 4.0 no-hit innings, before allowing a leadoff single to Kiké Hernández in the fifth inning. Per Elias, it is the longest no-hit bid in a potential elimination game since Zac Gallen no-hit the Rangers through 6.0 innings last year before Texas scored five unanswered runs to clinch the World Series in Game 5.
Cole finished the night allowing five runs, all unearned, on four hits, with four walks and six strikeouts across 6.2 innings. The right-hander threw 108 pitches, marking his most in a start (regular or Postseason) since he threw 110 pitches on July 28, 2023 against Kansas City (34 starts). Cole is the first starting pitcher in World Series history since ERA became official in 1912 in the NL and 1913 in the AL to allow more than five runs in a start, without allowing any earned runs. His five unearned runs are tied for the most in a World Series appearance since ERA became official with Clem Labine (G2, 1960) and Vic Raschi (G3, 1951).
It was his 22nd career Postseason start since making his debut in 2013. His 22 Postseason starts are third-most in the Majors since 2013 behind only Clayton Kershaw (30 GS) and Justin Verlander (25 GS). Since 2018, he has made 18 Postseason starts, tied with Walker Buehler for the most in the Majors, while Cole’s 10 Postseason wins are the most since 2018. Overall, he has worked 133.1 Postseason innings in his career, which are tied with Curt Schilling for the 12th-most as a starter in Postseason history.
So(to) Sweet
Juan Soto reached base four times, via a trio of walks and a single in the fourth inning. Dating back to Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series with San Diego in 2022, Soto has reached base in each of his last 25 Postseason games. His current on-base streak is tied for the third-longest streak in Postseason history with Jose Altuve’s 25-game streak from 2017-19, Pablo Sandoval’s 25-game streak from 2012-14 and Boog Powell’s 25-game streak from 1966-71. The current streak trails only Miguel Cabrera’s 31-game steak from 2011-13 and Chase Utley’s 27-game streak from 2007-09. During the streak, Soto is batting .297/.414/.549 (27-for-91) with six homers, 16 RBI, five doubles, 18 walks, 19 runs scored, a stolen base and a .964 OPS.
Faces in the Crowd
A number of notable celebrities, and Major League players (current and former) were in attendance at tonight’s game, including: Babyface (Singer/Anthem Singer); Tim McGraw (Singer/Songwriter); Anthony Mackie (Actor); Bryan Cranston (Actor); Robert Kraft (CEO of the Patriots); Jeremy Allen White (Actor/The Bear); Molly Gordon (Actress/ The Bear); Meek Mill (Rapper); Rob Lowe (Actor); Fat Joe (Rapper); A Boogie (Rapper); Kayvon Thibodeaux (New York Giants Defensive Lineman); Isaiah Hodgins (New York Giants Wide Receiver); Tommy DeVito (New York Giants Quarterback); Titus O’Neil (WWE Professional Wrestler); Tyler Reddick (NASCAR Driver); Chris Chelios (Hockey Hall of Famer); Nicky Cass (Influencer); Nick Wright/Chris Broussard (First Things First Cast); CC Sabathia (MLB); Spencer Jones (MiLB Yankees); Jose Cuas (Current MLB Player); Jack Leiter (Current MLB Player); Logan O’Hoppe (Current MLB Player); Al Leiter (Former MLB Player); Carlos Carrasco (Former MLB Player); Jed Lowrie (CAP); Michael Bourn (CAP); Dellin Betances (CAP); and Chris Young (CAP).
