The drought has finally been lifted. The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the World Series for the first time since 1988, lifting a weight off of Dodger’s fans around the world. 

In the first to four series, the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays four games to two. Games 1, 3, 5 and 6 were won by the Dodgers, while the Rays won Game 2 and 4. 

Game 1 was dominated by the Dodgers with a final score of 8-3, led by pitching from Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw, along with hits coming from all over the lineup. 

After a dominating performance by the Dodgers in Game 1, the Rays bounced back with a 6-4 win. Tampa Bay starter Blake Snell was dominant and the Rays offense gave them all they needed for the win in Game 2. 

Following a loss in Game 2, the Dodgers got a much needed victory in Game 3 with a score of 6-2, as a result of star-studded performances from starting pitcher Walking Buehler. First baseman Max Muncy and right fielder Mookie Betts both made considerable contributions to the Dodgers offense.  

“26-year-old Buehler, who became the first pitcher in World Series history to strike out 10 batters in an outing of six innings or fewer and who now has a sparkling 1.28 ERA in his past nine postseason starts,” Anthony Castrovince from MLB.com wrote.

Game 4 was a back and forth game, with runs being scored every inning by both teams. The Rays won on a walk off single by Brett Phillips, aided by two Dodger errors on the play that gave the Rays the win. 

“Then chaos erupted. The ball bounced off the heel of Chris Taylor’s glove, suddenly opening a crack for the Rays,” Jack Harris from The Los Angeles Times wrote. 

After this loss, the Dodgers needed a complete momentum shift in Game 5. That’s exactly what they got. In a down to the wire Game 5, the Dodgers held on to their short 4-2 lead with the bullpen pitching big innings and closing the game out, while taking the lead in the series 3-2.

Game 6 had the Rays against the ropes as they were facing elimination. Both teams put their best foot forward, giving it their all, but in the end the Dodgers won with a score of 3-1, ultimately winning the World Series 4 games to 2. 

The Dodger’s game excelled in all aspects, as they were comfortable the whole time, never trailing games in the series. 

After the Dodgers officially won the World Series, fans all over California celebrated, with large gatherings all over Los Angeles. Many took to the streets of Downtown Los Angeles, celebrating and setting off fireworks in the process. 

Since it’s been over 30 years since the Dodgers had won a World Series, players and fans wanted to soak in the moment. 

“You wonder what it’s like, you strive to hear that, and to do it with this team and this group — it couldn’t be any more special,” Dodgers shortstop and World Series MVP Corey Seager said in an interview with ESPN.

Oak Park students have longed for a championship to come to Los Angeles after the Dodger’s shortcomings in recent years. 

“I have been a lifelong fan of the Dodgers, even through heartbreak after heartbreak every year in the playoffs, so them winning it all means the world to me,” Oak Park High School junior Noah Teichner said. 

This month has been full of celebration for the city of Los Angeles, with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA title earlier this month and the Dodgers bringing home the trophy.