The 2024 World Series stage is set as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are set to face off in a battle of MLB’s two juggernaut clubs representing the best both the National League and American League have to offer.
The Fall Classic is set to feature some of MLB’s biggest stars, including Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts and Juan Soto, which should help provide plenty of offense during the best-of-seven series. However, the pitchers on both sides are nothing to scoff at either, and the Yankees have arguably the best starter in baseball with Gerrit Cole.
Neither team has fully mapped out their pitching plans yet, but the Yankees know one thing: Cole is going to start Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium for them, manager Aaron Boone announced.
In their previous series, the Yankees followed Cole with Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil, which could end up being the same order they go with for the World Series.
“We haven’t finalized that,” Boone said. “I can tell you Gerrit will pitch Game 1, and a good chance we’ll roll it out like that. Today’s a voluntary day and we’re just starting to formulate our plans and things like that, so we’ll see.”
Cole, who signed with the Yankees as a free agent ahead of the 2020 season on a then-record nine-year, $324 million contract, has lived up to his standards in New York.
In his five seasons with the Yankees, Cole has thrown 759 innings with a 3.12 ERA, 3.32 FIP and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 30.3% of hitters and walking just 6.1%.
In the 2024 season, Cole threw just 95 innings, but he was still effective with a 3.41 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 1.13 WHIP along with a 25.4% strikeout rate and 7.4% walk rate.
The World Series start at Dodger Stadium will be somewhat of a homecoming for Cole, who attended UCLA and grew up in Tustin, Calif. While he was a free agent, the Dodgers reportedly made a run at signing Cole before he opted to join the Yankees.
Who will face Gerrit Cole as the Dodgers starter?
The Dodgers will not announce their starter until late afternoon on Tuesday, but it would presumably go to Jack Flaherty or Walker Buehler.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto could factor into that decision as well, but giving him the ball in Game 2 works better for his rest schedule moving forward as Game 6 would still be the earliest time for his next start.
If Buehler or Flaherty start Game 1, either would be an option to pitch in Game 5 as well.
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