The Los Angeles Dodgers recently clinched their eighth World Series title, defeating the New York Yankees in a stunning 7-6 victory in Game 5. The Dodgers secured their win in Game 1 with a walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman, and went on to win the next two games in the series, putting them on the brink of victory. Joe Kelly, a California native and Dodgers pitcher, has shared his unfiltered opinions on why the Dodgers were able to dominate the Yankees, suggesting that the Yankees should have been ranked lower in the playoffs due to multiple defensive errors.
During a podcast interview, Kelly criticized the Yankees’ defensive performance, claiming that they should have been ranked lower than teams like the Padres, Phillies, Mets, and Braves in the playoffs. He specifically pointed out errors made by Yankees players, including Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe in Game 5, as well as Gleyber Torres in earlier games. Kelly cited these defensive mistakes as key factors in the Dodgers’ success against the Yankees, highlighting the team’s attention to detail and overall superior gameplay.
The Yankees’ defensive struggles continued throughout the series, with Gerrit Cole failing to cover first base in Game 5, leading to the Dodgers scoring five runs in a pivotal inning. Despite their victory over the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS, Kelly believes that the Guardians displayed better overall baseball skills than the Yankees. He pointed out the Yankees’ lackluster defensive play and described their matchup with the Dodgers as a “complete mismatch,” emphasizing the importance of solid defense in postseason games.
Juan Soto, a star outfielder for the Yankees, has added to the team’s uncertainty heading into the postseason. Soto had a stellar season in 2024, hitting a career-high 41 home runs, but is expected to be a hot commodity in the offseason as teams vie for his talents. As the Yankees look to regroup and make adjustments for the upcoming season, the spotlight remains on their defensive shortcomings and the need to address key areas of improvement in order to compete at the highest level.
Overall, the Dodgers’ World Series victory over the Yankees highlighted the importance of strong defensive play and attention to detail in postseason matchups. Joe Kelly’s candid remarks about the Yankees’ defensive struggles shed light on the factors that contributed to their defeat, while also underscoring the level of competition in playoff baseball. As the Yankees face uncertainty moving forward, the focus shifts to addressing weaknesses and making necessary changes to put themselves in a better position for success in future seasons.
