### Freddie Freeman's Historic Grand Slam Propels Dodgers to Game 1 Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees resumed their epic showdown on Saturday night, coming off a Game 1 that has already been deemed an instant classic. Freddie Freeman etched his name into the annals of baseball history with the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, granting the Dodgers a thrilling 6-3 win in the 10th inning and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Fall Classic.

Freeman’s clutch 10th-inning homer capped a dramatic evening at Dodger Stadium, marking the first World Series encounter between these storied franchises since 1981. "That’s as good as it gets right there," Freeman shared with reporters post-game, savoring the electrifying moment in front of a roaring crowd of 52,394 fans.

With the Yankees determined to even the score, $162 million left-hander Carlos Rodon is set to face off against $325 million rookie right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.

Following Saturday’s game, the series will shift to Yankee Stadium in New York for Games 3, 4, and 5, with the Dodgers ready to host Games 6 and 7 back in Los Angeles if needed. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t hold back his admiration for Freeman’s heroics, saying, "It might be the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed."

Freeman’s journey to this moment was nothing short of miraculous. Barely able to walk a week ago due to a badly sprained ankle and having faced personal turmoil with his son’s health scare, Freeman delivered one of the most unforgettable plays in Dodgers history. His walk-off grand slam not only clinched the victory but turned Dodger Stadium into a euphoric Blue Heaven, leaving Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes to make the somber walk back to the dugout.

Cortes, initially seething, quickly turned to pragmatism by reviewing the pitch—a fastball intended to be just a few inches higher. Reflecting on his place in baseball lore, Cortes chose perspective over self-pity, understanding the mixed legacy shared by pitchers like Ralph Branca, Dennis Eckersley, Mariano Rivera, and Mitch Williams.

Dodgers manager Roberts also announced that Walker Buehler will take the mound for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, confident in Buehler’s ability to excel in high-pressure situations. "We love Walker in big games. The road isn't going to faze him," Roberts told reporters. "It also allows him potentially to be available for a Game 7 too."

As the tension mounts and the series moves forward, both teams are geared up for what promises to be an exhilarating continuation of this historic rivalry.