Is this why the rematch of the World Series was called a preview of the World Series? From the first inning, the league's top superstars showcased their home run showdown.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees faced off for the first time this season on the 31st at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California (Korea time). Attention was focused on the matchup between the two teams, which met in last year's World Series, and the superstars representing both teams, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Both players were ranked among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball. Before the game that day, Ohtani was leading the league with 20 home runs, while Judge was in third place with 18 home runs.
And from the first inning, they created scenes beyond everyone's expectations. Aaron Judge of the Yankees kicked things off in the first inning. With one out and no runners on, Judge faced Tony Gonsolin and hit a solo home run over the center field wall on the third pitch, a 89.7-mile four-seam fastball, after a 1-ball, 1-strike count. This was his 19th home run of the season, narrowing the gap with Ohtani to just one.
Then Ohtani responded with a statement of his own. As the leadoff batter in the bottom of the first, Ohtani hit a 93.7-mile four-seam fastball from Yankees starter Max Fried for another solo home run, also clearing the center field wall. This set the stage for a home run duel between Judge and Ohtani.
Ohtani increased his lead over Judge with his 21st home run of the season.
[OSEN]