MLB's two premier franchises set for a Hollywood showdown

MLB’s two most valuable franchises, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, will square off in Southern California for a three-game set. This will be the first series played between these two teams since August 2019 at Dodger Stadium. 

The last time these two teams played each other, both DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge hit home runs in a 5-1 Yankees victory.

The Dodgers and the Yankees have played just 16 times in their storied histories. The series is tied 8-8.

The 34-24 Yankees sit in third place in the AL East, while the 34-23 Dodgers are tied with the Diamondbacks for the best record in the National League. The stars will be on display in this series both on and off the field. Yankees star Aaron Judge and Dodgers star Freddie Freeman are tied for the best OPS in baseball. 

Four-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will toe the rubber on Friday night for the Dodgers. Kershaw has had a strong start to 2023, posting a 3.32 ERA and striking out 75 in 62.1 innings. His opposition will be Luis Severino, who will be making his third start of the season. Severino has given up just two runs across 11.1 innings.

On Saturday night, AL Cy Young award favorite Gerrit Cole will put his undefeated record (6-0) on the line. He will face off against Michael Grove, who will be making just his 11th career MLB start.

In the finally on "Sunday Night Baseball," Yankees starter Domingo German will duke it out with Dodgers rookie Bobby Miller. Miller, the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers organization in MLB.com's rankings, has been sensational in his first two big league starts, allowing just two runs in 11 innings while striking out nine.

Former Red Sox players JD Martinez and Mookie Betts will get their first crack at their old rivals since leaving Boston. Martinez has 111 hits, 18 home runs and 55 RBI in 104 career games against the Yankees. Betts has hit 107 hits, 14 home runs and 57 RBI in 96 career games against the Yankees.

MLB’s new schedule ensures that every team will play at least three games per season against every other team, so we will see plenty of Yankees-Dodgers showdowns in the coming years.