Could Yankees' bats awakening — and Gerrit Cole incoming — flip the World Series?
Before a crucial Game 4 at Yankee Stadium, Jazz Chisholm considered bringing a bit of New York flair to batting practice by wearing Timberlands. The boots, a gift from teammate Alex Verdugo, were meant to lighten the team’s spirits. Verdugo, whose ninth-inning homer provided the Yankees’ only runs in Game 3, thought the iconic footwear "felt like New York" and was a fitting way to help his teammates “loosen up.”
Up until that night, the Yankees' usually powerful lineup had struggled to find its rhythm, managing just seven runs in the first three games of the World Series and only four hits with runners in scoring position. But something changed as they faced a Dodgers bullpen featuring lower-leverage pitchers, and New York’s offense finally broke out with an 11-4 victory.
Catcher Austin Wells credited a change in mindset, saying that in a situation like theirs, sometimes you need to “say, ‘Screw it,’ go after it, and have fun,” as some players may not get another shot at the World Series. His words proved prophetic as Anthony Volpe’s go-ahead grand slam ignited the Yankee Stadium crowd, allowing the rest of the lineup to relax. Wells, who had started the postseason 4-for-43, responded with a home run of his own three innings later, and Gleyber Torres added to the lead with a late blast in the eighth.
The Yankees offense, which had not scored more than three runs in a game during the series, came alive with nine hits, six walks, and contributions from nearly every batter. Even Aaron Judge reached base four times, signaling a potential spark for the team.
Chisholm noted, “Once [Judge] is on base, I feel like everybody gets going.” The Yankees’ 11-run performance was tied for the second-highest total for a team facing elimination in World Series history. Their explosive offense extended the World Series' streak to 12 years without a sweep and reminded everyone why they were in the playoffs.
Reflecting on the win, Wells emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment. "Knowing that this was the last guaranteed day of baseball for the season, we definitely didn’t want to take it for granted," he said. "If you put too much pressure on it at this point, you’re not going to enjoy the journey."
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