The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2023 World Series with a thrilling 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5. Overcoming a 5-0 deficit, the Dodgers demonstrated their resilience and championship calibre to secure their eighth World Series title and their first since 2020.
The Yankees came out swinging, with Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting back-to-back home runs in the first inning to establish a 3-0 lead. They extended their advantage to 5-0 by the third, capitalising on strong batting and shaky Dodgers pitching. However, the Dodgers rallied in the fifth, exploiting several Yankees defensive errors to level the score.
Giancarlo Stanton’s sacrifice fly in the sixth put the Yankees back in front, 6-5. But the Dodgers responded in the top of the eighth, scoring two runs to regain the lead, which they held onto for the win. Dodgers’ star pitcher Walker Buehler, in a surprise move to close the game, retired the Yankees in order in the ninth to secure the victory.
Yankees’ starting pitcher, Gerrit Cole, pitched well but couldn’t lead his team to victory. Dodgers’ starting pitcher Jack Flaherty struggled and was pulled early. The Dodgers relied heavily on their bullpen, culminating in Buehler’s heroic closing performance. The Yankees’ loss extends their World Series drought to 14 years, their last championship in 2009. The Dodgers’ championship victory is a testament to their depth, talent, and never-say-die attitude.