The two best teams in baseball will go at it at Dodger Stadium this weekend and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
But before the series begins on Friday night, I would like to give you my predictions for this clash of the titans between the Yankees (83-46) and the Dodgers (85-44).
GAME 1: PAXTON VS RYU
Ryu enters this game in the midst of an historic season as he currently holds a 1.64ERA which is the best in the Majors. He is even better at home this year as he enters tonight 9-0 with an 0.81 ERA in the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium. I don’t expect that to change tonight as much as I would like it too.
As for James Paxton, he has struggled in the 1st inning this season and the Dodgers are a team that loves jumping out early. However, Paxton does usually pitch well against good teams when the Yankees need it him most. Tonight is one of those games and I believe Paxton will keep the Yankees in this game and limit the damage.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5 Yankees 3
This will be a close one like all the games will but I will have to reward it to the home team. Ryu pitches a masterpiece and the Dodgers score just enough off Paxton to maintain that lead and take game one of this series.
For the Yankees, Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez go yard.
GAME 2: CC VS GONSOLIN
It’s a battle of the “Back Enders” of the two teams rotations in CC Sabathia and Tony Gonsolin. I expect the heavy hitters from the Yankees ( Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela ) and the Dodgers ( Cody Belinger , Max Muncy, Will Smith, Kikie Hernandez, Cory Seaher and AJ Pollock ) to come out in this one.
I believe it comes down to the bullpens in the very end and the Yankees do have a small edge in that department so I’ll give this game to them.
PREDICTION: Yankees 8 Dodgers 6
BOLD PREDICTION: CC gets a hit.
GAME 3: GERMAN VS KERSHAW:
These pitchers need no introduction. German has been one of the leagues young and upcoming pitchers this season while Kershaw has been building on his Hall of Fame career for years already.
Unfortunately for the Yankees though, Domingo German has a 5.82 ERA on the road this season which is the reason why I think LA gets to him and win this series. However, I believe German can do well as he has come up clutch in big spots before so it’s no reason why he can’t do it again.
But until he proves to me he can do it on the road like he can at home, I’m giving the Dodgers the edge here as Kershaw battles the Yankees offense and shuts them down.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6 Yankees 3
Judge and Torres go deep for the Yankee in this one.
KEY TO THE SERIES:
Pitching is the key. If the Yankees pitch well, they will slug their way to victory.
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