Game 2 of the World Series was a spectacle from start to finish. It was marked by powerful performances, a hometown energy fueled by L.A. legend Ice Cube, and dramatic events. The Dodgers took home a 4-2 win, powered by stellar pitching and clutch home runs, bringing them to a 2-0 lead in the series. Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman, and Teoscar Hernández provided a big offensive push. However, an injury to Shohei Ohtani briefly dampened the celebration. The Yankees nearly rallied late but fell short. This sets up a must-win scenario as the series shifts to Yankee Stadium.

Dodgers’ Perspective: Feeding Off the Energy and Fighting Through Adversity

The Dodgers came out firing. Tommy Edman hit a solo home run in the second, capitalizing on Carlos Rodón’s shaky start for the Yankees. The Dodgers’ lineup soon made their mark. Hernández and Freeman hit back-to-back homers, putting the Dodgers firmly in the driver’s seat.

While recovering from a sprained ankle, Freeman hit another clutch home run, adding to his case as the series MVP. And on the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was nearly flawless. He worked 6 1/3 one-hit innings, earning his reputation as a postseason ace. Yamamoto’s shutdown performance and Freeman’s steady leadership held firm despite the scare from Ohtani’s injury in the seventh inning.

“We’re in a good spot,” Freeman reflected post-game. “The crowd’s with us, and the energy’s where it needs to be.”

Yankees’ Perspective: Pressing Hard But Facing a Tough Road Ahead

The Yankees came to Los Angeles with a loaded lineup and high hopes. However, two tough losses now place them on the brink. Carlos Rodón’s early struggles forced them to play from behind, giving up critical home runs that kept the Yankees from gaining momentum. The team fought back with a Juan Soto solo shot in the third to cut the deficit, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Dodgers.

While Aaron Judge and teammates worked hard to build a late rally, bringing the game to within two runs in the ninth, the Dodgers’ bullpen proved resilient. Anthony Rizzo, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Giancarlo Stanton loaded the bags and put L.A. on edge. But Blake Treinen’s clutch strikeout of Anthony Volpe and Alex Vesia’s one-pitch save ended the comeback attempt, sending the Yankees back to New York in an 0-2 hole.

“No one said it’s easy,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We’ll need to make it tough on them back in the Bronx.”

What’s Next for the Dodgers and Yankees? What’s the Latest On Shohei Ohtani?

For the Dodgers: With the momentum of two wins, L.A. heads to New York in a commanding position. They’ll aim to keep the pressure on, looking to wrap up the series quickly. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is hopeful that Ohtani’s shoulder injury won’t sideline him long-term, though the team’s roster depth provides reassurance.

“We’re going to get some tests at some point tonight, tomorrow, and then we’ll know more in the next couple of days,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But the strength was great. The range of motion is good. So we’re encouraged. But obviously I can’t speculate because we don’t have the scans yet. Once we get the scans, we’ll know more.”

For the Yankees: Game 3 is crucial for the Yankees, who now face a must-win situation in front of their home crowd. Aaron Boone will likely look to shake up the lineup to spark offense early, aiming to prevent the Dodgers from sweeping in New York. With their backs against the wall, the Yankees must draw on their postseason experience to claw back into the series.

Next: A Historic Ending: Three Takeaways from World Series Game 1