Yankees-Dodgers Showdown Led by Judge, Ohtani Poised to Make Unprecedented MLB MVP History

5 min read

When the Yankees and Dodgers step onto the field this weekend, it’s not just another game — it’s a collision of baseball royalty. With Aaron Judge flexing his power in New York and Shohei Ohtani dazzling in LA, fans might want to brace for a spectacle that could rewrite history. If you thought MVPs were just for highlight reels, think again — these lineups are about to steal the show.

This is like the game of the season: the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Yankees. This series feels even bigger than the World Series—stakes higher, pressure heavier, spotlight blindingly intense. We’ve already seen fireworks explode when these two collided in the unforgettable 2024 Fall Classic. But there is one other special thing that will happen if the stars align.

Nobody had thought of this, but MLB insider Buster Olney, a brilliant mind, did. He posted on X saying, “With the Dodgers and Yankees facing off this weekend… If and when a Yankees lineup with Judge/Bellinger/Goldschmidt faces a Dodgers one with Ohtani/Betts/Freeman, it’ll be the first time a game had 3 former MVPs in each batting order.”

The last time the Dodgers and Yankees each had three former MVPs in a game was June 2023, but with a twist. Dodgers’ 2014 MVP Clayton Kershaw pitched but didn’t bat, so it wasn’t quite the full slugfest. This weekend, six MVP bats are set to roar, promising a historic showdown never truly seen before. It’s a star-studded battle primed to light up the diamond.

 

From @EliasSports, via @SlangsOnSports: With the Dodgers and Yankees facing off this weekend…

If and when a Yankees lineup with Judge/Bellinger/Goldschmidt faces a Dodgers one with Ohtani/Betts/Freeman, it’ll be the first time a game had 3 former MVPs in each batting order.…

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) May 30, 2025

Back in 2023, the Dodgers edged the Yankees, crushing New York’s hopes of back-to-back World Series titles. That defeat still lingers, fueling the Bronx Bombers’ fire for payback. Every pitch this weekend will carry weight, fueling tension with every snap of the glove. The rivalry crackles with electricity—two titans locked in battle, each desperate to rewrite baseball history.

Both teams are riding big-time momentum going into the series. Judge and Ohtani are hot at the plate, having Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman with them; this looks more of a challenge for the Yankees than the Dodgers. This series will be a war of skill and grit. We know that this series is going to swing like a pendulum, but the one thing that it won’t lack is fireworks for the fans to watch.

If you thought the regular season was just a warm-up, think again — this series is proof that baseball’s biggest stars still know how to steal the spotlight. With six MVPs ready to swing for glory, the Dodgers and Yankees are rewriting the playbook on what a showdown should look like. Buckle up, because history isn’t just being made — it’s being hammered out, one epic at-bat at a time.

Yankees and Dodgers going to be throwing hands off the field, too

The MLB’s fiercest battles aren’t always settled between the foul lines. As the Yankees and Dodgers gear up for a blockbuster series on the field, they’re already swinging behind the scenes. These powerhouse franchises—flush with cash, egos, and postseason ambitions—are eyeing the same struggling star. Because why just outscore your rival when you can outbid them, too?

The Yankees and the Dodgers, like every other team in the season that go into the season with the dream of wearing rings at the end of the season. And to do that, both teams are going after the same target, Sandy Alcantara. The Cy Young winner is reportedly on the trade block, and the Marlins want big money for him. With the weight on his name, it might cost both teams multiple top 10 prospects and some more to get him. But there is a big problem: his ERA sits at a brutal 8.47 across 11 starts.

Even with the ugly numbers, Alcantara checks some crucial boxes for both teams. The Yankees are spinning their wheels, missing Gerrit Cole and a true rotation anchor. Meanwhile, the Dodgers juggle talent and turbulence, battling a frustrating wave of pitching inconsistency. Alcantara, when healthy, is a workhorse, and both teams need that kind of durability if they want to get to the month of October.

But this trade will always be a gamble. Alcantara gave up six runs in his latest start and did not look good. He doesn’t need the 2022 form, just half the magic. Even 50% of that dominance makes him elite again. The Dodgers and Yankees know October isn’t won in June, but July’s trades often decide it. And this one could be both a headline and a headache.

And that’s the million-dollar dilemma—do you bet on a broken ace when the stakes are sky-high? The Yankees and Dodgers might, because in a league ruled by risk and reward, boldness pays. Front offices aren’t just chasing arms; they’re chasing legacies. If Alcantara rebounds, someone looks like a genius. If not, well… there’s always next year’s deadline.

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