As the World Series unfolded with its first two games, a cadre of seasoned major leaguers—Jameson Taillon, Tucker Barnhart, Max Stassi, and Rob Refsnyder—provided their insights on a live blog curated by The Athletic. Engaging with them before, during, and after the contests, we gather their thoughts, piecing together a mosaic of perceptions and reactions through the lens of their vast experience in the game.
Tallon, a right-handed starter with a seasoned resume spanning eight major league seasons, has had stints with clubs like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and New York Yankees. Barnhart, known for his catching prowess, boasts a history of eight years with the Cincinnati Reds before moving through clubs like the Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and, most recently, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Stassi has also occupied the catcher’s spot, oscillating between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels. Refsnyder, primarily an outfielder with nine years under his belt, has clashed with six franchises, with memorable tenures with the Yankees and his current squad, the Boston Red Sox.
Game 1
Pregame
The Athletic: Which lineup sends shivers down your spine? The formidable Dodgers featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández? Or the Yankees with Gleyber Torres, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, and Giancarlo Stanton?
Jameson Taillon: “Both lineups pack a punch. The Dodgers are incredibly deep. Yet, the top half is equally formidable. Knowledge is power—know your strengths, identify their weaknesses, and go after them aggressively. You cannot afford to be cowed by the World Series atmosphere. Attack early, rack up quick outs against those high-caliber hitters, managing your lineup dynamically, understanding when to strike and when to be cautious.”
TA: You faced the Dodgers just once this year without Ohtani in the lineup. What insights can you share about him?
Tucker Barnhart: “Facing Ohtani feels like sheer luck at times—’Hope he hits it at someone!’—yet, there’s always a strategic angle. The key is getting him to speed up. By feeling he needs to act sooner, he may swing at pitches he usually wouldn’t. My philosophy? Lefties with a sinking fastball play best against him. If you can get him to engage on that pitch, it opens up opportunities with breaking balls. Righties must tread lightly; every spin towards him has to land softly. In the end, it’s about keeping the ball away from him and making him work to earn hits.”
Fifth inning, Game 1. Dodgers lead 1-0
Gerrit Cole is through five innings, holding the line with just one run allowed and two triples against him.
Taillon: “This might sound cliché, but watching Gerrit when he’s on is like witnessing an artist at work. The command, the stuff, the mentality—all of it is elite.”
Barnhart: “You sense it quickly; if he’s locked in, it’s as good as over. You might as well channel your inner Roger Dorn and lean into it, because surviving anyone of his caliber is a formidable challenge.”
Sixth inning, Game 1. Yankees lead 2-1
Then, Giancarlo Stanton, Taillon’s former teammate, unleashes a titanic home run to left, swinging the lead back to the Yankees.
Taillon: “He’s just a genuinely cool guy. A silent leader, yet when the postseason dawns, he steps up. He’s capable of feats others can only dream of—imagine hitting a two-iron trajectory over the fence! I once saw him hit a blistering 121 mph grounder during a double play; the look exchanged between Nicky Lopez and Whit Merrifield was priceless.”
Postgame, Game 1. Dodgers win 6-3
Freddie Freeman’s grand slam crowned the Dodgers’ victory.
Barnhart: “This matchup features the crème de la crème, dialed in at the highest level. It’s a battlefield where every pitch is a strategic chess move. Once Freeman steps in with the bases loaded, you know disaster awaits the opposition.”
Taillon: “That moment was sheer electricity. For someone like Freeman to deliver when it counts… well, it leaves you awestruck. It’s a treat to watch the best showcase their talent. Nestor Cortes faced a steep climb there with the weight of the game. The pitching duel tonight was impressive on all fronts; sure, both teams can slug, but they are also capable of artistry in more nuanced plays.”
Pregame Game 2
The Athletic: Does momentum hold weight in baseball, or is it merely a figment contingent on the next day’s starter? After last night’s nail-biter, can the Yankees recover?
Refsnyder: “Momentum rings true in sports. But the Yankees will understand the importance of bouncing back. Splitting the series in L.A. proves beneficial; if they can grab an early lead, they may silence the crowd—a crucial factor when visiting.”
TA: With all the buzz around Shohei’s transformation since joining the Dodgers, do you see it as valid?
Stassi: “Absolutely! His enthusiasm shines brighter when surrounded by success. It’s simple; winning breeds joy, losing breeds discontent. I couldn’t be prouder of him—his talent is evident, but his character as a teammate is even more striking.”
TA: Refsnyder’s success against Rodón is notable. What’s the secret, and how can Dodger hitters prepare for him?
Refsnyder: “Rodón throws a fastball that’s downright explosive. Don’t gamble on taking pitches early; gauge your swing early instead. Think ahead; anticipate movement, but also remain vigilant of its trajectory. He tunnels his off-speed so effectively that distinguishing between pitches becomes a guessing game. Be disciplined; chasing pitches will lead to a long, fruitless night.”
Third inning, Game 2. Dodgers lead 4-1.
Rodón falls prey to a barrage of home runs, the latest courtesy of Freddie Freeman.
Refsnyder: “The home runs stem from fastballs, with credit due to the Dodgers for their pinpoint focus. Freddie’s presence adds an edge with his power, and with hitters like Edman and Hernández in the mix, their lineup balances well. The Dodger’s front office has crafted a lineup that seems locked in.”
Stassi: “For sure! Their analytics team, especially hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc, lays extraordinary groundwork; their hitters target specific openings and make aggressive moves.”
Eighth inning, Game 2. Dodgers lead 4-1.
Shohei Ohtani sustains a shoulder injury while sliding into second.
Stassi: “The slide appeared routine, and such injuries seem entirely random. Fingers and wrists tend to bear the brunt.”
Refsnyder: “It’s disheartening. Watching fellow athletes struggle is never easy.”
Postgame, Game 2. Dodgers win 4-2
As the series shifts to New York, the Dodgers lead two games to none. The Yankees pushed back but fell short with the bases loaded in the closing moments.
Stassi: “An exhilarating showdown thus far! Both contests could swing either way, and it shapes up to be a thrilling finish.”
Refsnyder: “Well-planned strategy from the Dodgers, with Soto’s brilliance shining for the Yankees and phenomenal performances from Yamamoto. The intensity will need to ramp up as the Yankees head home; their fans will play a pivotal role in the upcoming games.”
(Top photo of Judge and Refsnyder: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images)
