Freeman’s walk-off slam wins Game 1
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The anticipation for Game 1 of the World Series was at an all-time high, and it did not disappoint. Freddie Freeman hit the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history to give the Los Angeles Dodgers the 6–3 win over the New York Yankees in dramatic fashion.
Game 1 had it all. Dominant pitching performances, lead-changing home runs, timely stolen bases, run-saving diving plays, and even a controversial fan interference call. The MLB could not have asked for anything more from the two historic franchises, and it now set the stage for this to potentially be one of the most memorable World Series of all time.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty pitched five strong innings against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline/File photo
“Those are the kind of things when you’re five years old with your two older brothers, and you’re playing wiffle ball in the backyard; those are the scenarios you dream about two outs, bases loaded in a World Series game,” said Freeman. “For it to actually happen and get a home run and walk it off to give us a 1–0 lead, that’s as good as it gets right there.”
Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty’s performances will be lost in the headlines, but they left everything they had on the mound. Cole gave up one run in six innings pitched, while his counterpart gave up two in just over five innings of work. Flaherty’s only mistake came in the form of a hanging breaking ball that Giancarlo Stanton made him pay for by golfing a two-run homer into the left-field bleachers.
“It was an incredible atmosphere, unbelievable setting. That dude over there (Cole) he’s a stud. It makes the game just one pitch at a time,” said Flaherty. “Make a mistake, and Giancarlo puts a good swing on the ball, which is what he’s done all postseason and throughout his entire career. You’d like that one back, but you’ve got to go out and get ready for the next one.”
The Dodgers seemed to prefer the matchup with Aaron Judge over Juan Soto. They walked Soto on four pitches in his first at-bat and put him on intentionally in the ninth to get to Judge. Maybe that philosophy changes with a right-handed starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in Game 2, but Los Angeles has a lot of respect for Soto’s bat.
The move worked out for the Dodgers as Judge ended the night 1–5 with three strikeouts. The Yankees also played the matchups late in the game, experiencing different results. Their decision to put Mookie Betts on intentionally and load the bases in extra innings opened the door for Freeman’s heroics.
“It’s never comfortable. You’ve just got to sort of believe in your process and the matchup that you got right there,” said Dave Roberts. “I’ve walked guys, and it’s worked out. I’ve walked them, and it doesn’t work out. They should take it personally. They’re competitors, and that’s the way it should be.”
The game got off to a slow start, with only three hits combined entering the fifth inning. From there on, both lineups started landing punches, and the hot bats could carry over into tomorrow. The back-and-forth of momentum and emotions makes having a good start in Game 2 that much more important.
Hopefully, we will get a full seven-game series because this is next-level entertainment at its finest.