New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: A Statistical Deep Dive into Game 5 of the 2024 World Series Thriller

On October 30, 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title, defeating the New York Yankees 7-6 in a dramatic Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, securing a 4-1 series victory. This game, a microcosm of the storied Dodgers-Yankees rivalry, was defined by a historic comeback, catastrophic defensive errors, and clutch performances under pressure. Trailing 5-0 after three innings, the Dodgers capitalized on a three-error fifth inning by the Yankees to tie the game, then surged ahead in the eighth with sacrifice flies and stellar relief pitching. Freddie Freeman, named World Series MVP, capped a record-setting postseason, while Aaron Judge’s early power wasn’t enough to overcome New York’s collapse. This article Yankees vs Dodgers match player stats provides a detailed analysis of the player statistics from Game 5, weaving a narrative around the performances that shaped this unforgettable championship-clincher. Through detailed tables, statistical breakdowns, and fresh insights, we explore how the Dodgers’ resilience and the Yankees’ miscues decided the 2024 Fall Classic.

• Sport: Baseball
• Competition: 2024 MLB World Series – Game 5
• Date: October 30, 2024
• Location: Yankee Stadium, New York
• Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees
• Final Score: Dodgers 7 – Yankees 6
• Series Result: Dodgers won series 4–1
• World Series Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers (8th title)

Game Overview: A Collapse for the Ages

The Yankees, fresh off an 11-4 rout in Game 4 to avoid a sweep, entered Game 5 with momentum and a raucous Bronx crowd. They jumped to a 5-0 lead with home runs from Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Giancarlo Stanton, chasing Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty early. However, the fifth inning became a nightmare for New York, as three defensive errors—by Judge, Anthony Volpe, and Gerrit Cole—allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs and tie the game. The Dodgers took the lead in the eighth with sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts, and Walker Buehler’s two-inning save sealed the championship. The game’s 13 combined runs, 18 hits, and 305 pitches underscored its intensity, with the Dodgers’ 3/7 RISP (runners in scoring position) efficiency and the Yankees’ 2/9 RISP struggles proving decisive.

Match Summary: Key Moments That Shaped the Outcome

The game unfolded as a tale of early Yankee dominance undone by self-inflicted wounds and Dodgers’ opportunism. Here’s a breakdown of the critical moments, drawn from ESPN, FOX Sports, and Baseball-Reference box scores:

• Top 1st: Freddie Freeman’s two-run single off Gerrit Cole gave the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead, but Cole settled down, retiring the next three batters.
• Bottom 1st: Aaron Judge’s two-run homer off Jack Flaherty, a 412-foot shot, tied the game at 2-2. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s solo homer followed, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
• Bottom 3rd: Giancarlo Stanton’s solo homer off Ryan Brasier extended the lead to 4-2, and an Anthony Rizzo RBI single made it 5-2, knocking Flaherty out after 1.1 innings.
• Top 5th: The Yankees imploded with three errors: Judge dropped a routine fly ball, Volpe botched a grounder, and Cole failed to cover first on a groundout. These miscues, combined with Tommy Edman’s RBI single and Will Smith’s sacrifice fly, allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs, tying the game at 5-5.
• Bottom 6th: Stanton’s sacrifice fly off Anthony Banda scored Juan Soto, giving the Yankees a 6-5 lead.
• Top 8th: With bases loaded and no outs, Tommy Kahnle’s struggles led to sacrifice flies by Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts, giving the Dodgers a 7-6 lead. Shohei Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference, adding pressure.
• Bottom 9th: Walker Buehler, pitching on short rest, retired Volpe, Wells, and Verdugo, securing the save and the title with a 95.3 mph fastball to strike out Wells.

Key Player Statistics: Yankees vs. Dodgers

Below is a detailed table of standout player performances, compiled from official game data, highlighting their impact on the outcome.

Team Statistical Breakdown

Dodgers’ Key Performers: Resilience and Clutch Play

Freddie Freeman: The MVP Who Owned October

Freddie Freeman, battling a sprained ankle, cemented his legacy with a 2-for-4 performance, including a two-run single in the first and a double in the fifth. His 12 RBIs in the series tied Bobby Richardson’s 1960 World Series record, and his four consecutive games with a homer (Games 1-4) set a new benchmark. Freeman’s .286 series average (6/21, 4 HRs, 12 RBIs) and .400 OBP earned him World Series MVP honors. Per Statcast, his first-inning single had a 102.4 mph exit velocity, showcasing his ability to drive pitches under pressure.

• Highlight Play: Freeman’s two-run single off Cole in the first, on a 2-1 fastball, gave the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead, setting the stage for their comeback mentality.
• Impact: Freeman’s 12 RBIs, including the Game 1 walk-off grand slam, deflated the Yankees early in the series. His 2 RBIs in Game 5 kept the Dodgers competitive despite Flaherty’s struggles.

Freeman’s grit resonated with fans. As he told FOX Sports, “This is for the city of Los Angeles,” reflecting the weight of ending a 36-year full-season title drought since 1988.

Tommy Edman: The Unsung Hero

Tommy Edman, the NLCS MVP, went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the fifth that sparked the Dodgers’ comeback. His run scored on Judge’s error, and his walk in the eighth set up the go-ahead rally. Edman’s .333 series average (5/15, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) and defensive versatility (playing shortstop and center field) were critical.

• Key Moment: Edman’s RBI single in the fifth, a 98.7 mph liner off Cole, drove in Teoscar Hernández, cutting the deficit to 5-3 and igniting the rally.
• Impact: Edman’s ability to deliver in high-leverage situations, with a .500 RISP average in the series, complemented the Dodgers’ star-heavy lineup.

Mookie Betts: Clutch in the Clutch

Mookie Betts went 1-for-4 with a sacrifice fly in the eighth that gave the Dodgers a 7-6 lead. His run scored on Volpe’s error in the fifth, and his stolen base in the third pressured Cole. Betts’ .278 series average (5/18, 2 RBIs) and .435 OBP reflected his table-setting prowess.

• Impact: Betts’ sac fly, on a 1-0 slider from Kahnle, drove in Ohtani, capping a three-run eighth that secured the lead. His 28.3 ft/sec sprint speed, per Statcast, added dynamic pressure.

Walker Buehler: The Closer

Walker Buehler, a starter by trade, delivered a heroic two-inning save, throwing 23 pitches with 2 strikeouts and no hits allowed. His 95.3 mph fastball to strike out Austin Wells ended the game, and his scoreless eighth preserved the lead. Buehler’s 2.25 series ERA (4.0 IP, 1 ER) was a testament to his postseason mettle.

• Impact: Buehler’s 2.0 scoreless innings, with a 91.3% strike rate, shut down a Yankees lineup that had scored 6 runs, earning the save and the title.

Yankees’ Key Performers: Power Undone by Blunders

Aaron Judge: A Mixed Legacy

Aaron Judge went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, 2 RBIs, and a walk, but his dropped fly ball in the fifth sparked the Dodgers’ five-run rally. His 412-foot homer off Flaherty in the first, with a 108.6 mph exit velocity, tied the game at 2-2. Judge’s .222 series average (4/18, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) and 8 strikeouts reflected a postseason struggle (8/46, .174 overall).

• Highlight Play: Judge’s first-inning homer, on a 1-1 fastball, gave the Yankees early momentum, but his error—a routine fly dropped in center—allowed two runs to score.
• Impact: Judge’s 2 RBIs were critical, but his .111 RISP average in the series and defensive miscue in Game 5 loomed large.

Judge’s post-game comment, “We just didn’t get it done,” captured the frustration of a season where his 58 regular-season homers couldn’t translate to October glory.

Giancarlo Stanton: Power Not Enough

Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly, driving in 2 RBIs. His 405-foot homer off Brasier in the third extended the lead to 4-2, and his sac fly in the sixth regained a 6-5 edge. Stanton’s .263 series average (5/19, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs) was a bright spot, but his 0/3 RISP performance in Game 5 limited his impact.

• Impact: Stanton’s 23 postseason 110+ mph homers since 2020, third behind Judge (28) and Ohtani (29), showcased his power, but the Yankees’ collapse overshadowed his contributions.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Early Spark, Late Fade

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s solo homer in the first, a 398-foot shot off Flaherty, gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. His 1-for-4 day included a .200 series average (4/20, 1 HR, 2 RBIs) and a stolen base, but his 0/2 RISP in Game 5 reflected New York’s clutch struggles.

• Impact: Chisholm’s early homer energized the crowd, but his inability to deliver with runners on base mirrored the team’s 2/9 RISP performance.

Gerrit Cole: Undone by Defense

Gerrit Cole pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 5 runs (all unearned) on 7 hits, with 6 strikeouts and 4 walks. His fielding error in the fifth, failing to cover first, allowed a run to score, and his 88 pitches (56 strikes) showed resilience despite the collapse. Cole’s 2.17 series ERA (12.2 IP, 3 ER) was stellar, but the errors were fatal.

• Impact: Cole’s 6.2 innings kept the Yankees in the game, but his error and the team’s 3 miscues led to a historic 5-run comeback, the largest in a World Series-clinching game.

Critical Statistical Insights

The Fifth-Inning Collapse

The Yankees’ three errors in the fifth—Judge’s dropped fly (E8), Volpe’s botched grounder (E6), and Cole’s failure to cover first (E1)—resulted in five unearned runs, tying the game at 5-5. Per Baseball-Reference, this was the first time a team committed three errors in a single World Series inning since 1986. The Dodgers’ 4/4 RISP in the inning, with Edman’s single and Smith’s sac fly, capitalized fully on the miscues.

RISP and Clutch Performance

The Dodgers’ 3/7 RISP (Freeman’s single, Edman’s single, Smith’s sac fly) produced 4 runs, while the Yankees’ 2/9 RISP (Judge’s homer, Rizzo’s single) left 7 runners on base. New York’s .200 series RISP average (8/40) contrasted with the Dodgers’ .333 mark (12/36), highlighting a critical gap.

Home Run Impact

The Yankees’ three homers (Judge, Chisholm, Stanton) accounted for 4 runs, but the Dodgers’ zero homers didn’t hinder their offense, as they leaned on singles, sac flies, and errors. Los Angeles’ 7 series homers (Freeman 4, Hernández 2, Edman 1) outpaced New York’s 6 (Stanton 2, Volpe 1, Soto 1, Torres 1, Chisholm 1), showing balanced production.

Pitching and Bullpen Management

The Dodgers’ bullpen threw 7.2 innings with a 2.35 ERA, led by Blake Treinen (2.1 IP, 0 ER) and Buehler (2.0 IP, 0 ER). The Yankees’ relievers, particularly Kahnle (0.0 IP, 2 ER), struggled, posting a 6.75 ERA in 2.1 innings. Los Angeles’ 3.86 series bullpen ERA dwarfed New York’s 5.40, reflecting superior depth.

Humanized Narrative: Triumph and Tragedy in the Bronx

For the Dodgers, Game 5 was a testament to their never-say-die spirit. Freeman, hobbling on a sprained ankle, became the heart of Los Angeles, his two-run single and MVP performance etching his name alongside Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser in Dodgers lore. Edman, a trade-deadline pickup, emerged as a postseason revelation, his RBI single in the fifth igniting a comeback that silenced 49,995 fans. Buehler, pitching on fumes, channeled his 2020 postseason heroics, his final strikeout of Wells sparking champagne showers. As manager Dave Roberts said, “We just kept coming,” a nod to a team that overcame a rotation ravaged by injuries (no Kershaw, Glasnow, or Stone) to score 842 regular-season runs, second in MLB.

For the Yankees, Game 5 was a collapse that will haunt the Bronx for years. Judge, the AL MVP favorite with 58 regular-season homers, delivered early but faltered with a dropped fly ball that opened the floodgates. Stanton and Chisholm’s homers fueled early hope, but the team’s 3 errors and 2/9 RISP performance crushed their dreams of a 28th title. Cole, a $324 million ace, pitched valiantly but couldn’t overcome his own error and a bullpen that imploded. Manager Aaron Boone’s post-game reflection, “It’s a tough one to swallow,” captured a fanbase left stunned after a 94-68 season and their first World Series in 15 years.

Strategic and Tactical Insights

• Dodgers’ Game Plan:
  • Bullpen Mastery: Roberts’ reliance on Treinen (2.1 IP, 0 ER) and Buehler (2.0 IP, 0 ER) neutralized the Yankees’ late-game threats, with a 91.7% strike rate in the eighth and ninth.
  • Capitalizing on Errors: The Dodgers’ 4/4 RISP in the fifth, with Edman and Smith driving in runs, turned miscues into a game-tying rally, reflecting their .333 series RISP efficiency.
  • Small Ball: Sacrifice flies by Lux and Betts in the eighth, combined with Ohtani’s catcher’s interference, showcased Los Angeles’ ability to manufacture runs without power.
• Yankees’ Missteps:
  • Defensive Collapse: The three errors in the fifth, a franchise postseason lowlight, handed the Dodgers 5 unearned runs, a record for a World Series-clinching game.
  • RISP Failure: New York’s 2/9 RISP, including Volpe’s strikeout with bases loaded in the ninth, mirrored their .200 series mark, costing them crucial runs.
  • Bullpen Woes: Kahnle’s bases-loaded meltdown in the eighth (2 ER, 0 outs) and a 5.40 series bullpen ERA exposed a lack of depth compared to Los Angeles’ 3.86 mark.

What This Means for Both Teams

For the Dodgers, the victory marks their second title in five years and first in a full season since 1988, tying the Giants for the second-most National League championships (8). Freeman’s MVP performance and Ohtani’s 50-50 season cement their status as baseball’s premier franchise, with 21,022 all-time wins and a 98-64 2024 record. However, 2025 brings challenges, with potential free-agent departures (Jack Flaherty, Blake Treinen) and injury recoveries for Kershaw and Glasnow.

For the Yankees, the loss extends their title drought to 16 years, despite a 94-68 season and AL-best 10,778 wins. Judge’s postseason struggles (.174, 20 Ks) and the team’s defensive lapses raise questions about their October execution. With Juan Soto’s free agency looming and Cole’s $324 million contract, GM Brian Cashman faces pressure to retool a roster that fell short of its 28th championship.

Conclusion: A Game Defined by Errors and Heart

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series was a masterclass in resilience, powered by Freddie Freeman’s MVP heroics, Tommy Edman’s timely hitting, and Walker Buehler’s clutch save. The Yankees’ early power from Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. was undone by a historic three-error fifth inning, marking the largest comeback in a World Series-clinching game. This game, a fitting cap to the 12th Dodgers-Yankees Fall Classic, will be remembered for Los Angeles’ championship grit and New York’s heartbreaking collapse. As Freeman said, “This is what we play for,” while Judge’s “We’ll be back” signals another chapter in this epic rivalry.