The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed to the World Series after defeating the New York Mets 10-5 in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on Sunday night. With the victory, the Dodgers clinched their record 25th NL pennant and will face off against the New York Yankees, setting the stage for a classic matchup between two of baseball’s most storied franchises.
This year’s NLCS was marked by the stellar performance of Shohei Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in the offseason on a record-breaking contract. Playing in his first postseason, Ohtani had two hits and scored two runs in Game 6, capping off an impressive series where he batted .364 with two home runs and six RBIs. After six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he never experienced playoff baseball, Ohtani is now on the cusp of his first World Series appearance.
The Dodgers started Game 6 with a brief scare, falling behind 1-0, but quickly regained momentum thanks to clutch performances from Tommy Edman and Will Smith. Edman, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, drove in the team’s first four runs, continuing his red-hot form throughout the series. With 11 RBIs in the NLCS, he tied a franchise record set by Corey Seager in 2020 and earned the NLCS MVP award.
Edman’s impact was felt early as he launched a two-run homer to give the Dodgers the lead. Smith followed up with another home run, adding to the team’s 10-run tally and sealing the Mets’ fate. Los Angeles dominated the Mets throughout the series, outscoring them 40-26 over six games, including two shutouts.
Blake Treinen played a pivotal role in Game 6, taking on a rare two-inning assignment to keep the Mets’ bats at bay. He struck out Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos, and Pete Alonso in the eighth inning, ensuring there would be no comeback for New York. It was Treinen’s first extended outing since the 2021 NLCS, demonstrating his reliability in high-stakes situations.
The Dodgers’ victory means a highly anticipated World Series showdown against the Yankees, who secured their place after winning the American League pennant. The series will see two of MLB’s top home-run hitters, Aaron Judge (58) and Shohei Ohtani (54), face off on the biggest stage. Game 1 is set for Friday at Dodger Stadium, where the two iconic franchises will meet in the Fall Classic for the first time in 43 years.
“This is kind of what the people wanted, what we all wanted,” Dodgers star Mookie Betts told FOX Sports’ Tom Verducci after the game. “It’s going to be a battle of two good teams, a lot of long flights across the country.”
The Yankees and Dodgers have a long and storied rivalry in the World Series, having met 11 times previously. The Yankees have dominated, winning eight of those matchups, while the Dodgers’ two championships against their East Coast rivals came in 1955 and 1981. This year’s series marks the 12th meeting between the two teams, and the first since 1981, adding another chapter to their historical rivalry.
The Dodgers’ return to the World Series marks their 22nd appearance overall, with 13 of those coming since the team moved to Los Angeles. Their last World Series title came in 2020, during the pandemic-shortened season. This time, with a full season and a roster bolstered by key acquisitions, they hope to bring the championship back to Dodger Stadium in front of their home fans.
