The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their spot in the World Series with a thrilling 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday night. Tommy Edman and Will Smith both hit home runs, leading the charge as the Dodgers eliminated the Mets and clinched their record 25th NL pennant, the first at home since 1988.
With this win, the Dodgers are heading to their 22nd World Series—marking their 13th since moving to Los Angeles—and their first since 2020, when they triumphed over the Tampa Bay Rays during the pandemic-shortened season. Next up, Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers will face Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees, who are returning to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. Game 1 is set for Friday at Dodger Stadium, featuring Judge (58 home runs) and Ohtani (54), the top two home run hitters in MLB this season.
World Series match
This matchup will be the 12th meeting between these iconic franchises in the World Series, and the first in 43 years. The Yankees have won eight of their previous encounters, while the Dodgers have claimed championships against New York in 1981 and 1955.
Ohtani, in his first season with the Dodgers after signing a record-breaking contract, had a standout performance in Game 6, notching two hits and scoring two runs. He wrapped up the NLCS with a .364 batting average, two home runs, and six RBIs.
“The World Series is the place that I’ve dreamt of playing all my life. To finally be here and have a shot at winning it is my next goal," Ohtani said after the game.
Dodgers comeback
The Dodgers quickly turned the game around after briefly trailing 1-0, with Tonny Edman stepping up and driving in the team’s first four runs. His incredible performance in the NLCS included 11 RBIs, tying a franchise record previously set by Corey Seager in 2020. After joining the Dodgers from St. Louis in July, Edman expressed his excitement about being part of such a talented team.
The Dodgers eliminated the Mets in their second attempt in the series, outscoring them 40-26 over six games, showcasing their offensive dominance, including two shutouts. Despite a shaky start, the Mets fought hard and came close to reaching the World Series after overcoming a difficult 22-33 start to the season.
Edman's heroics
Edman’s big moment came in the third inning when he launched a 406-foot home run, extending the Dodgers' lead to 6-1. Smith followed with a homer of his own, solidifying their advantage.
While the Mets made a push to close the gap, scoring a couple of runs, they ultimately fell short. They had opportunities to capitalize with the bases loaded on two occasions, but couldn’t find the clutch hits they needed.
Edman, named NLCS MVP for his exceptional contributions, said, “Got an amazing team, they just welcomed me in with open arms. Can’t wait to keep it going.” He took a moment to thank the Dodger fans for their incredible support throughout the series, acknowledging the electric atmosphere at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, celebrating his fourth NL pennant, praised his players' resilience: “We’ve been through a lot of adversity this year, but this team fought hard. In the postseason, it’s about the fight, and we’ve got plenty of talent. It’s going to be a great World Series. This is what the baseball world wanted.”
With a rich history that includes a World Series championship four years ago and a total of seven titles, the Dodgers are primed for another shot at glory as they prepare to face the Yankees.
