Dodgers reclaim mojo during big weekend in the Bronx

Saturday's game was particularly revealing. Hernandez, who had anticipated the series eagerly, delivered two home runs and six RBI. 

"I've played here a lot. Never with this intensity, with this adrenaline, with this kind of crowd. It's different, but I like it," Hernandez said postgame. 

Roberts echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Hernandez’s knack for thriving under pressure: "This is what he signed up for... There's certain guys that the moment doesn't get too big."

While the Dodgers were rekindling their form, Shohei Ohtani, baseball's biggest star, was quietly slumping. Over the past 28 days, Ohtani has hit just four home runs, struck out 27 times, and posted a .713 OPS. The off-field issues surrounding his former interpreter and a betting scandal seem to have taken more of a toll than initially thought.

Historically, the Yankees are known for carrying the weight of the highest payrolls without always delivering in the postseason — a scenario the Dodgers hope to avoid in 2024. 

Since 2000, the Yankees' star-studded teams have made the playoffs 19 times in 24 seasons, boasting the highest payroll in the league 15 times, but have only won the World Series twice. 

The Dodgers, with a hefty $1.2 billion invested in offseason acquisitions and the pressure of Ohtani's deferred $700 million contract, face similar scrutiny.

The weekend's success against the Yankees could mark a turning point. The Dodgers hope that the elevated competition and stellar performances can sustain their momentum, allowing them to distance themselves from the mediocre NL West and prepare for a deep playoff run. 

The pressure is immense, but if this weekend is any indication, the Dodgers might just be ready to shoulder it.