If a screenwriter may script the 2024 World Collection to make sure final drama, each draft they’d produce would come with the New York Yankees. Every crew within the Nationwide League Championship Collection presents an especially intriguing World Collection matchup with the Bombers.
Padres vs. Yankees: A story of two trades
If the San Diego Padres and Yankees meet within the World Collection, the conflict shall be a lot greater than a redo of the 1998 Fall Basic. The primary storyline on this assembly could be a battle to find out which squad received the Juan Soto commerce.
Earlier than the 2024 season, the groups labored out a commerce that despatched Soto and Trent Grisham to New York in change for Michael King, Kyle Higashioka and a handful of pitching prospects.
To date, the commerce has benefited either side. Soto hit .288/.419/.569, blasted 41 homers and drove in 109 runs to play an unbelievable Robin to Aaron Choose’s Batman throughout the common season. In the meantime, King blossomed in San Diego, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA. Higashioka additionally leveled up, hitting a career-high 17 lengthy balls in simply 246 at-bats.
Each King and Higgy had been instrumental within the Padres’ sweep of their wild-card collection in opposition to the Atlanta Braves. King dominated in Sport 1, putting out 12 in seven shutout innings. Higashioka homered in each video games.
A conflict between the lately swapped gamers to win all of it could be must-see TV. And at this level, it’s completely attainable.
Dodgers vs. Yankees: MVP showdown
In a simply world, the 2024 AL and NL MVP races would have unanimous winners: Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and Yankees juggernaut Aaron Choose. In an ideal world, the 2 faces of MLB would meet within the World Collection for a blockbuster final-act showdown.
If Ohtani had been nonetheless within the AL, the MVP could be a toss-up. Choose posted a monster 1.159 OPS with 58 dingers and 144 RBI. Ohtani’s 1.036 OPS was properly behind Choose’s output, however the Japanese slugger’s 54 homers and 59 stolen bases made him the first 50-50 man in historical past.
The Dodgers and the Yankees have the 2 finest information in MLB this yr. So, on paper, there’s a great probability followers get to see some of the fascinating World Collection matchups of all time.
Mets vs. Yankees: Subway Collection 2.0
The New York Mets knocked off the Milwaukee Brewers in dramatic trend of their wild-card collection. Maybe, the OMG Mets have the magic essential to get all the best way to the World Collection this yr. And if their cross-town rivals are there ready for them, the story writes itself.
A rerun of the 2000 Subway Collection could be attention-grabbing by itself. Combine in the truth that the Amazins would seemingly begin failed Yankees pitcher Luis Severino in a minimum of one World Collection recreation, and the narrative will get even spicier.
Phillies vs. Yankees: Good symmetry
Ought to the Philadelphia Phillies take the NL pennant, a possible World Collection tilt in opposition to the Yankees would create a tremendous little bit of symmetry. The final time New York received a championship, it did so on the expense of the Phillies in 2009, helped by steroid-saturated Alex Rodriguez.
If New York ends its prolonged title drought in opposition to Philadelphia, it will have exorcised the curse of A-Rod. But when Philly wins, the curse shall be very a lot confirmed.
MLB brass have to be on their faces earlier than the baseball gods, begging for the Yankees to get by the AL postseason subject. Sorry, Midwest, however the Tigers, Guardians, and Royals simply received’t get the rankings New York will, no matter NL foe.
