While the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to make one of the biggest head coach signings in recent memory, the City of Angels' focus appears to be fixated on the Dodgers' marquee series against the New York Yankees. So much so that fans have seemingly seized control of the Bronx ahead of Saturday night's prime-time matchup.

The Bleeding Dodger Blue amazingly filled East 161st Street on their way into Yankee Stadium, per Ariel Epstein and YES Network, determined to significantly diminish New York's usually overwhelming home-field advantage (21-9 record in 2024). It remains to be seen if they will celebrate for a second night in a row, but their presence is vociferously being felt.

When considering that LA play-by-play man Joe Davis and former Yankees rival John Smoltz are calling the game for Fox, this hardly feels like an inviting atmosphere for the men in pinstripes.

The electricity for this interleague showdown is palpable, proving that the date on the calendar is not relevant when two of baseball's most iconic brands collide. Though, it definitely helps that both ballclubs are among the top-five in terms of record and championship expectations.

They have not disappointed thus far, producing a captivating first entry on Friday night that saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto allow just two hits in seven shut-out innings. The Dodgers finally broke through in the 11th when Teoscar Hernandez smacked a two-run double into the outfield. They escaped with a 2-1 victory that surely left a bitter taste in the Yankees' mouth.

This rivalry, which has historically been dominated by the Bronx Bombers, has produced some of the MLB's most memorable moments. The franchises are certainly capable of doing the same again in 2024, possibly in an epic October-November duel against one another.

Dodgers and Yankees go way back

Many baseball purists bemoan the interleague format, especially the newest iteration, as they feel it tarnishes the aura that the Fall Classic used to exude. For decades, watching the top stars of the American and National Leagues face off was a privilege reserved for the All-Star Game and World Series. The rarity of a meeting made the crowning of a champion even more surreal.

But excitement is sky-high this weekend. Because of the Dodgers' Brooklyn beginning, New York's loyalty will probably always be divided to some degree. Although Yankees fans are likely a bit startled by this invasion, they are gleefully aware of who reigns supreme in the annals of MLB history.

New York is a dominant 8-3 versus Brooklyn/LA in the World Series but did lose the last war in 1981. Each fan base appears to be ready for peacetime to end this year. Just like in the past, both teams are led by some of the best players in the game. Somehow, though, the star power feels even bigger than the quality of talent suggests.

A dream Fall Classic?

Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani in a battle of baseball's most prolific sluggers of the decade. The incredibly versatile Mookie Betts vs. rising star Anthony Volpe. The unflappable Juan Soto going toe-to-toe with the unbelievably dependable Freddie Freeman. Two of the highest-paid pitchers in Gerrit Cole and Yoshinobu Yamamoto squaring off.

A 2024 Dodgers-Yankees World Series is unquestionably the ultimate fantasy of the MLB, many of its fans and the Fox television executives. Beyond the ratings, when these two sports behemoths play under the same stadium, people remember why baseball was once called America's Pastime.

But fans must also not forget about another tradition that is gaining steam in recent years, one that is celebrated by a decent chunk of the audience– the Dodgers and Yankees stumbling in October.