29 October 2024 World Series - Three Key Questions Going into the World Series and How They've Played Out
Before this World Series began, I identified three pivotal questions that I believed would shape the series and potentially decide the championship. Here’s a look at how these questions have played out:
1. Will Freddie Freeman Be Fit to Play?
Freddie Freeman’s fitness was one of the biggest question marks entering the World Series. Nursing an ankle injury, there was a 50-50 chance he’d even make it to the plate. But, as we now know, Freeman didn’t just show up—he dominated. Freeman’s impact on the Dodgers’ lineup has been nothing short of remarkable. Through three games, he’s hit a home run in each, propelling the Dodgers to a 3-0 series lead. His batting stats have been astounding, with 4 hits in 12 at-bats, including 3 home runs, giving him a TBO9 of 12.00. In a series where every run matters, Freeman has been the nailed-on MVP so far.
When we compare Freeman’s performance to the rest of the batters in the series, the contrast is stark. Dodgers teammate Tommy Edman has a TBO9 of 9.00, while the Yankees’ Juan Soto has managed an 8.10. Most Yankees hitters, however, are far behind: Anthony Rizzo sits at 5.62, and Giancarlo Stanton and Alex Verdugo hover around 5.5. With Freeman firing on all cylinders, he’s been a constant thorn in the Yankees’ side, showing what a difference a single player can make when he’s in top form.
2. Will Aaron Judge Find His Form?
Aaron Judge was the leading batter in baseball this year. His regular-season stats were otherworldly: a .322 batting average, 58 home runs, an OPS of 1.159, and a TBO9 of 8.29. Entering the postseason, the Yankees needed Judge to continue his dominance. He is, after all, the captain and AL MVP, the player opponents fear most.
However, Judge has struggled to find that regular-season magic. Through three World Series games, he has managed just one hit in 12 at-bats, giving him a low TBO9 of 1.50. His plate appearances have been disappointing; he’s swinging at pitches he usually lets go, and striking out when the team needs him on base. For Yankees fans, this is a painful turn of events. Judge’s postseason performance has been in decline: a TBO9 of 3.77 and only two home runs in earlier rounds, inching up to 5.62 in the ALCS. But the Yankees need him to play at his regular-season level to have any hope of a comeback, and he hasn’t delivered.
3. Is Gleyber Torres Key for the Yankees?
Going into the series, Gleyber Torres was seen as a potential x-factor for the Yankees. With a regular-season ranking of 228th in MLB, Torres is often a middle-of-the-road hitter, but his postseason TBO9 of 3.89 showed he could have moments that would be essential to Yankees success. The idea was that Torres would get on base and set up a lethal lineup of Soto, Judge, and Stanton, putting early pressure on Dodgers pitching.
In reality, Torres hasn’t managed to elevate his numbers. His series stats stand at 2 hits in 11 at-bats, with a TBO9 of 4.91. While not far off his regular numbers, Torres hasn’t been able to step up when the Yankees needed him most. His performance has been solid but unremarkable, especially as those following him in the lineup haven’t been firing either. Without the power of Soto, Judge, and Stanton in peak form, Torres’ efforts haven’t had the impact the Yankees were hoping for.
In summary, two of my three questions have turned out to be defining factors for this series. Freeman has played at an MVP level, Judge has yet to find his footing, and Torres hasn’t provided the boost the Yankees need. With the Dodgers leading 3-0, the Yankees are staring down an insurmountable deficit. They’ll need Judge, Torres, and the entire lineup to show up if they hope to turn the tide. The series continues tonight, with first pitch at 8:08 pm ET.