LA Dodgers beat NY Yankees in five games, win eighth franchise World Series

The GIST: The LA Dodgers are your 2024 World Series champions, beating the NY Yankees in five games to win their eighth franchise ’ship. Here’s how the superstar-led Blue Crew won it all and a look at the question mark–filled baseball offseason ahead. Lights, camera, action.

Freddie Freeman homers in Games 1 through 4, named MVP: Sprained ankle, be damned — Dodgers first baseman Freeman made Fall Classic history, homering in six straight World Series games (that he’s played in dating back to 2020) to lead this high-powered LA offense to the title.

• NY made many defensive miscues in the Game 5 L, but LA standouts to seal the deal included outfielder Mookie Betts, who drove in the game-winning run, and pitcher Walker Buehler, who put an up-and-down season behind him to close out the final inning.

• Now superstar Shohei Ohtani has his first career World Series ring, LA has their first title since the COVID–shortened 2020 season, and the Dodgers faithful can rest assured they have a superstar core intact for the foreseeable future. On top of the world, indeed.

Which team will land top free agent Juan Soto?: While LA celebrates, the Hot Stove is already heating up, specifically surrounding four-time All-Star Soto, who’s due for a big payday after a standout season in NY.

• The Yanks made a massive offseason splash to land Soto last December, but there’s question of whether the 26-year-old slugger will don the pinstripes once again as he eyes a potential record-breaking contract. Where will he shuffle to next?