When is Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Game 2? Date, time and statements

LOS ANGELES – See? We weren't kidding when we said this could be an epic World Series.

The Dodgers and Yankees just played a Game 1 that captured the moment. A series featuring a staggering roster of superstars and two of the most storied franchises in professional sports is off to an incredible start after Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit the first walk-off grand slam in Fall Classic history.

But something tells us that coming out of Friday night's 6-3, 10-inning affair on the wrong end won't deter a team as strong and tenacious as these Yankees.

“We play to win,” shortstop Anthony Volpe said. “We assume that we will win the game. Of course it's a slap in the face to accept defeat, but I guess that's baseball. We'll get back on our feet and be ready to go.

Here's what the Yankees are trying to avoid in Game 2 on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium: Teams that have lost the first two road games in all 2-3-2 series are 11-45 in those series. In the World Series in particular, they are 7-27.

So the pressure is on the boys from the Bronx. And they're sending Carlos Rodón with the hope/expectation that he'll build on the adjustments he made this postseason to not let the excitement get the best of him.

“I think it has a lot to do with confidence,” Rodón said, “confidence in my abilities and in myself.”

The Dodgers are full of confidence right now. How could it be otherwise that they captivated the crowd so much in Game 1?

“To come out 1-0,” said Freeman, the man of the moment, “is a big start.”

It's a start that 67% of Game 1 home winners in the 2-3-2 format have taken advantage of with series wins.

The Dodgers hope to get similar length from Game 2 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto as they did from Jack Flaherty, who pitched sixth in the opener. There is an off day after Game 2, but with a bullpen day coming up in the middle of the series, the Dodgers don't want to overexpose their relievers.

In 1988, the Dodgers rode Kirk Gibson's famous walk-off in Game 1 to a convincing 6-0 victory in Game 2 and were on their way to a five-game series win – still their last in one entire season. Will history repeat itself or will the Yankees respond?

When does the game take place and how can I watch it?
Game 2 of the World Series will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday at 8:08 p.m. ET/5:08 p.m. PT. All World Series games begin at the same time and are televised on FOX.

All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication with a participating pay-TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. Detailed information can be found here.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA in regular season)
Rodón will make his fourth start of the postseason after pitching 4 2/3 innings in the decisive ALCS Game 5 game. After the ALDS Game 2 loss to Kansas City, Rodón held Cleveland to three runs over 10 2/3 innings (2.53 ERA) in the ALCS, with 15 strikeouts against just one walk. He has previously made three career starts at Dodger Stadium, one in 2017 as a member of the White Sox and two in 2022 with the Giants. He is 0-1 with a 4.42 ERA at Chavez Ravine.

Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA in regular season)
Yamamoto was the Dodgers' biggest pitching addition this offseason, and they will lean on him again this postseason. The Japanese right-hander gave the Dodgers a dominant five innings in their Game 5 win over the Padres in the NLDS and was solid in his only start against the Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS. In his first World Series start, Yamamoto will face a Yankees team he dominated at Yankee Stadium in June.

What are the starting lineups?
Yankees: Look for the Yankees to stick with the same lineup they used in Game 1. Manager Aaron Boone said his biggest decision was to wrestle Giancarlo Stanton in the mopup spot, and Stanton rewarded that decision with a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning – his fourth straight game with a home run.

Dodgers: With the Yankees starting a left-handed pitcher in Game 2, things will look a little different for the Dodgers. Tommy Edman, who is much better against southpaws, will move up in the rankings and Gavin Lux likely won't start for the Dodgers.

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Yankees: Everyone except Nestor Cortes should be available for Game 2, as the Yankees are hesitant to pitch him on consecutive days given his left flexor arm strain. Luke Weaver threw 19 pitches over 1 2/3 innings in Game 1, and that was the highest workload for a Bombers reliever. Clay Holmes (5 pitches), Tommy Kahnle (8 pitches) and Jake Cousins ​​(14 pitches) also pitched.

Dodgers: The Dodgers used all of their high-leverage relievers in Game 1 but should be available again Saturday. The question for LA will be whether Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol will be able to play on consecutive nights since they are both injured. LA has plenty of coverage if needed, with Ben Casparius, Landon Knack and Brent Honeywell on the roster.

Any notable injuries?
Yankees: Verdugo said he would likely be sore after making a great catch in the 10th inning of Game 1. Rizzo is suffering from two broken fingers on his right hand, which presents a pain tolerance issue since the fractures don't heal until the offseason. Infielder DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement) continued to strike out and field throughout the playoffs.

Who's hot and who's not?
Yankees: Stanton continues to do his best Reggie Jackson impression and is now batting .282 with six homers and 13 RBIs in 10 postseason games. Volpe has hit safely in all 10 games this postseason (.273/.429/.303). Soto reached base three times in Game 1 and hit .333/.457/.639. Torres hit singles and doubles in Game 1 and has a .400 on-base percentage. Judge went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts in his first career World Series game and batted just .167 in the postseason.

Dodgers: Edman followed up winning the NLCS MVP with a two-hit Game 1 in the Fall Classic. Ohtani also continued his strong postseason streak with a double and a run scored in Game 1.

• The Yankees have won eight of the last 11 World Series meetings between the clubs (1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1977, 1978). The Dodgers won three times (1955, 1963, 1981).

• The Dodgers and Yankees previewed the World Series at Yankee Stadium June 7-9, with Los Angeles winning two of the three games. Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run double in the 11th inning of the first game, a 2-1 Dodgers win, and hit two home runs in an 11-3 loss the next night. The Yanks saved the final with a 6-4 win, powered by Trent Grisham's three-run home run off Tyler Glasnow.