The Los Angeles Dodgers no longer have to deal with criticism discrediting their pandemic-shortened 2020 championship.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles overcame an early five-point deficit and a late one-point hole to ensure an exciting matchup. Road win 7-6 against the New York Yankees to close the World Series. The biggest comeback in a decisive World Series victory gives the Dodgers their second title in five years and eighth in franchise history.

Here are three takeaways from Los Angeles’ historic victory.

Right-hander Gerrit Cole shines until Yankees defense falters

After allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts in six innings in the New York game Game 1 loss to Los Angeles, Cole once again started strong in Game 5. Los Angeles’ star-studded lineup was shut down by the six-time All-Star through the first four innings of the contest, with only two runners reaching the basis on a pair. walks.

However, things quickly took a turn for the worse in the fifth inning as the Yankees led 5-0. A leadoff single by Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernandez brought utilityman Tommy Edman to the plate. On the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Edman sent a sinker from Cole to center field, but Aaron judges shockingly dropped the routine fly ball.

Just one batter later, shortstop Anthony Volpe — one of the heroes of Game 4 — tried to force out a force at third base on a ground ball hit by catcher Will Smith. Unfortunately for New York, Volpe jumped to Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was unable to hold on to the ball, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases. Cole was able to bounce back for a while, striking out second baseman Gavin Lux and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

Despite this, Los Angeles refused to waste its opportunity to get back in the game and put together a huge two-out rally. Outfielder Mookie Betts started the scoring for the Dodgers, scoring an RBI single in the field due to Cole’s inability to cover first base. Immediately after that, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman unsurprisingly came out on top, hitting a two-run single.

Then outfielder Teoscar Hernandez sucked the life out of Yankee Stadium, delivering a game-tying two-run double to tie the score at five runs apiece.

Cole would allow another walk, although he got out of the inning. The 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner dug deep to pitch a scoreless sixth inning – in which he notched his fifth and sixth strikeouts – and recorded two outs in the seventh before being pulled.

Dodgers refuse to give up, comeback against Yankees bullpen to clinch title

Despite imploding in the fifth inning, the Yankees bounced back in the sixth, taking a 6-5 lead thanks to a Giancarlo Stanton sacrifice fly. Although the Dodgers couldn’t take advantage of having two runners on base in the seventh, it didn’t take them much longer to regain momentum.

In the eighth inning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone turned to right-hander Tommy Kahnle to replace Clay Holmes. Los Angeles pounced on changeup specialist Kahnle, scoring back-to-back singles, with Smith then drawing a walk to load the bases.

With the season on the line, Boone called on Luke Weaver for the third day in a row. Weaver did not allow a run in each of his previous World Series appearances, but it was clear he was running out of gas.

Lux, the first batter Weaver faced, hit a game-tying sacrifice fly, paving the way for Ohtani to finally have a big moment in the Fall Classic. Nonetheless, on Ohtani’s first pitch at bat, New York’s Austin Wells was called for catcher’s interference, putting the two-time AL MVP at first base. The defensive mistake proved to be another mistake New York couldn’t overcome, as Betts gave Los Angeles a 7-6 lead with a sacrifice fly of his own.

Betts’ sac fly ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, with the Dodgers hanging on to win the heavyweight clash.

Another Disastrous Postseason Complicates Judge’s Yankees Legacy

Although baseball is a team sport and he is on the verge of winning his second AL MVP award, Judge’s latest postseason woes have tarnished his legacy with the Yankees. Judge was essentially a non-factor in the ALDS and ALCS, posting a dismal result. 0.161 batting average with two homers and six RBIs, but he had the chance to flip the script in the World Series.

Through the first four games of the Fall Classic, Judge’s struggles continued. The six-time All-Star went 2 for 15 at the plate with seven strikeouts, recording his only RBI after Game 4 turned into a blowout.

It appears Tuesday’s performance gave Judge the confidence he desperately needed, considering he opened the scoring in Game 5 with a two-point circuithis first in the series. Despite this, Judge’s fifth-inning loss will remain a lasting image in the minds of Yankees fans and will be cited as the reason New York could not force a Game 6.

For a team that has won 27 championships and none since 2009, only a World Series victory can save Judge’s legacy. The 32-year-old will surely continue to put up ridiculous numbers in the regular season. Still, it’s hard to imagine the fan base supporting him as strongly as they did throughout his career until he could consistently succeed in the postseason.