The last two Yankees captains, Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter, chat on the field at Dodger Stadium before Game 1.

The World Series features home run kings in both leagues, which has not happened since 1956, when Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider for the Yankees and Dodgers.

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani each hit more than 50 home runs this season, and we’ve never had a World Series with two sluggers hitting that many.

Both are expected to win the MVP as well, and it’s also the second time since 1988 that the (presumptive) MVP winners will face off in the Series. The last time it happened was in 2012.

Juan Soto has two reasons to celebrate today: his team is playing the first game of the World Series and it’s his birthday.

The slugger, who won a ring with the Washington Nationals in 2019, turns 26 today.

Aaron Judge had some high praise for fellow MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani.

At a Yankee practice in the Bronx, Judge called Ohtani “the best player in the game” and “an ambassador for this sport.”

With four days off before Game 1 of the World Series, the Dodgers selected Jack Flaherty as their starting pitcher.

No surprises with the Yankees’ announced lineup for Game 1. Giancarlo Stanton, coming off his ALCS MVP, bats cleanup behind Aaron Judge.

Gerrit Cole will make his third career World Series start after pitching twice for the Astros in 2019 with one win and one loss.

With a delayed season debut on June 19 due to nerve irritation in his pitching elbow, he was limited to 17 regular season starts. This postseason, he is 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three starts, his best performance coming in ALDS Game 4 against the Royals, where he threw seven innings, allowing just one run.

There are a number of notable injuries on both teams entering the World Series.

MLB says that from the Yankees, first baseman Anthony Rizzo is playing with two broken fingers on his right hand because the fractures won’t heal until the offseason. pitcher Nestor Cortes, recovery from a left elbow flexor strainfaced hitters in practice and is considered in play for the World Series roster. Infielder DJ LeMahieu is still hitting and pitching when needed after dealing with a right hip impingement.

As for the Dodgers, first baseman Freddie Freeman played through a sprained right ankle and missed three games, but he should be back for Game 1. Pitcher Alex Vesia missed the NLCS with a right side injury but could be available for the World Series.

This will be the 12th time the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers have met in the World Series, the most of any two teams in Major League Baseball. Although once a frequent sighting, it is one that has not been seen in over 40 years.

The association dates back to the 1940s, when both franchises were based in New York. It’s happened 11 times since then, with the Yankees winning eight of the titles.

The teams last competed in the 1981 Fall Classic, with the Dodgers winning six games.

Games 1 and 2 of the World Series will be hosted at Dodger Stadium due to the Dodgers having a better regular season than the Yankees.

Here’s how the rest of the World Series schedule will play out:

Game 1: Dodger Stadium, Friday, October 25, 8:08 PM ET

Game 2: Dodger Stadium, Saturday, October 26, 8:08 PM ET

Game 3: Yankee Stadium, Monday, October 28, 8:08 PM ET

Game 4: Yankee Stadium, Tuesday, October 29, 8:08 PM ET

Game 5: Yankee Stadium (if necessary), Wednesday, October 30, 8:08 PM ET

Game 6: Dodger Stadium (if necessary), Friday, Nov. 1, 8:08 p.m. ET

Game 7: Dodger Stadium (if necessary), Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:08 p.m. ET

Game 1 of this year’s World Series will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday at 8:08 PM ET/5:08 PM PT. All ongoing games will also start at this time and will be televised on FOX.

Those without cable can stream World Series games on platforms that offer FOX, such as Hulu with Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV and YouTube TV, as well as FoxSports.com.

All games are also available on MLB.TValthough you will need to login to a participating pay TV provider to look

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Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who became baseball’s first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases this season, he is a top player to watch in the 2024 World Series.

This will be Ohtani’s first World Series appearance despite a strong resume that already includes two MVP wins (with a third likely on the way).

Considered by many to be one of baseball’s greatest accomplishments, the ball he pitched for his 50th home run sold at an auction Wednesday for more than $4.3 million.