Subscribe
Follow Us
New York Yankees (45-19) manager Aaron Boone has been in a festive mood amidst his team’s hot start. The good vibes are fueling confidence as the Los Angeles Dodgers (39-25) come to town Friday night.
Boone coined a “bicoastal rivalry” between the two powerhouses Friday afternoon, via Jomboy Media.
Boone is excited to face the Dodgers in the Bronx for the first time as a manager pic.twitter.com/5pvVkIdUP1
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 7, 2024
“The Dodgers obviously coming in this weekend,” Boone said. “First time since I've been here. We've gone to Dodger Stadium twice. It's always been a really really big deal when we've gone there, and a fun series. I'm sure this weekend it should be rocking in the Bronx. It'll be a lot of fun, that bicoastal rivalry, and get 'em here in the Bronx for the first time in a long time…”
Friday will mark the first time that the Dodgers have played in Yankee Stadium since September 2016, when Aaron Judge was a wide-eyed rookie. The two teams haven't had much of a rivalry in recent years, but that could change soon. Now that all 30 teams play each other each season, and with both squads at the top of the league, it could increase the competitive spirit between them.
Unfortunately for New York, it'll be without one of its marquee stars. Outfielder Juan Soto will sit for the first time this season with left forearm inflammation, via The Washington Post's Ronald Blum. The three-time All-Star is day-to-day and will not be placed on the injured list.
“In the grand scheme of things, we got some good news,” Boone said. “There might have been some anxious moments in there.”
Regardless, the three-game series features plenty of star power, including Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and rookie phenom Luis Gil.
Will the modern Yankees and Dodgers add to the lore between the two squads?
The Yankees and Dodgers have a long history with each other
It's been a while, but New York and Los Angeles used to face off in the World Series often, via CBS Sports' Mike Axisa.
“Dodgers vs. Yankees is the most common World Series matchup in baseball history, though the two teams have not met in the Fall Classic in more than four decades,” Axisa said. “Here is their World Series history, which features several iconic moments:
1941: Yankees win 4-1
1947: Yankees win 4-3
1949: Yankees win 4-1
1952: Yankees win 4-3
1953: Yankees win 4-1 (at 25, Vin Scully becomes youngest World Series broadcaster ever)
1955: Dodgers win 4-3 (Jackie Robinson steals home in Game 1)
1956: Yankees win 4-3 (Don Larsen throws a perfect game in Game 5)
1963: Dodgers win 4-0
1977: Yankees win 4-2 (Reggie Jackson hits three home runs in Game 6)
1978: Yankees win 4-2
1981: Dodgers win 4-2.”
With the Yankees and Dodgers currently both dominating, this year could finally be the one when the two teams meet up again in the Fall Classic. This series could potentially be a World Series preview, health permitting for both squads.
Although New York is missing Soto, Los Angeles isn't at full strength either. Bobby Miller, Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, and Dustin May are all out with various injuries. Luckily for baseball fans, plenty of talent will still be on display in this three-game clash of titans.
