A clash of the titans

The GIST: Grab some peanuts and cracker jacks — the best-of-seven World Series begins from LA tonight at 8:08 p.m. ET, featuring an epic coastal battle between the megawatt NY Yankees and LA Dodgers.

• These teams last met in June, where the Dodgers won two out of three games, but plenty has changed since then and it’s a whole new ballgame come October. Here’s what to know about each star-powered squad.

Shohei Ohtani and LA Dodgers swinging for eighth franchise trophy: The Blue Crew are back in the Fall Classic for the first time since winning it all in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, thanks in large part to the one and only Ohtani. The generational talent is exceeding the hype in his first career MLB postseason appearance, boasting an impressive .286 batting average.

• With Ohtani, World Series vet Mookie Betts, and NLCS breakout star Tommy Edman (just to name a few), the Dodgers have had no trouble putting up runs this postseason, posting a whopping 46 in their last six games. Hits all around.

• The biggest question mark is their pitching staff, specifically top starters Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — they’ve been up and down in the playoffs and will be tasked with shutting down a strong Yankees offense.

Aaron Judge and NY Yankees seeking MLB record-extending 28th title: Speaking of, the storied Bronx Bombers are making their first World Series appearance since 2009, riding slugger Judge to reach the big stage once again. The AL MVP favorite had a concerningly slow start to October, but is always a threat to change the game with one swing of the bat. All Rise.

• When it’s not Judge getting the job done for the Yanks, it’s usually offseason acquisition outfielder Juan Soto or designated hitter and ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton. The pair have combined for eight home runs in the postseason.

• And while the Dodgers have some red flags in their rotation, NY boasts two sure things: ace Gerrit Cole and closer Luke Weaver. Play — and we cannot stress this enough — ball.

⚽ NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup: Kansas City Current vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC — Tonight at 8 p.m ET — Paramount+

• The inaugural Summer Cup will be awarded tonight and, as has been the case since the tournament’s July debut, will be played without either squad’s national team players. That said, given the Current and Gotham are both unbeaten since early September, fireworks are still guaranteed.

⚽ MLS Cup Playoffs: Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United — Tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET — MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+

• Now a two-time MLS MVP finalist, Lionel Messi will make his long-awaited postseason debut for Eastern Conference top seed Miami tonight, taking on plucky No. 9 seed Atlanta in the first match of this Round One best-of-three series. Vamos.

🏎️ F1: Mexico City Grand Prix — Sunday at 4 p.m. ET — ESPN

• Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso will try to avoid the ditch in his 400th career start, but all eyes will be on the front of the grid as the top two World Driver’s Championship contenders, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, attempt to hold off an end-of-season surge from the feisty Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

🏈 NFL: Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders — Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET — CBS

• What was supposed to be a showdown between the 2024 No. 1 and No. 2 draft picks (the Bears’ Caleb Williams and Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, respectively) could be in jeopardy after Daniels was injured last week. Any extra ribs out there? Asking for a friend football fans everywhere.