MLB World Series Bracket 2024: MVP Race Before Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 3

Freddie Freeman hit two of the six home runs in the first two games of the 2024 World Series.

Freeman's game-winning grand slam in Game 1 is the defining moment of the series to date. He followed that up with a home run in Game 2.

The Dodgers first baseman holds a firm advantage over everyone else in the World Series Most Valuable Player race thanks to those two home runs.

A lot can change as the series shifts to Yankee Stadium, especially if the New York Yankees lineup wakes up.

New York is hitting .197 as a team and just two players, Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm Jr., had more than two hits in Southern California.

Freddie Freeman

Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26, 2024: Los Angeles Dodgers first base Freddie Freeman (5) hits a solo homer against New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) in Game 2 of the World Series at Dodgers Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Freeman should be the World Series MVP if the Dodgers win the World Series.

The first baseman delivered one of the most iconic home runs in World Series history in Game 1.

In addition to the walk-off grand slam, Freeman has another home run from Game 2, a triple from Game 1 and five RBI.

He leads the series in home runs and RBI and is second to Tommy Edman in hits.

There is a chance that one of his teammates takes the award from him, but it would take a remarkable set of events for that to happen given how memorable Freeman's Game 1 blast was.

Tommy Edman

Alex Slitz/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees in the second inning during Game Two of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Edman has built the best case from within the Dodgers roster to take the MVP away from Freeman.

Edman leads the series with four hits. He has two doubles, two runs and he hit a home run in Game 2.

The NLCS MVP will be in position to have more big hits because he lines up behind Freeman, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani in the batting order.

If the Yankees opt to walk any of the Dodgers' top sluggers in any inning, Edman could be the one who causes the most damage to the New York pitching staff.

Edman, Freeman and other lefties in the Dodgers lineup all have the potential to pad their World Series stats in the next few games if they can take advantage of Yankee Stadium's short porch in right field.

Juan Soto

Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning during Game 2 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

There's a feeling that Soto will be, and almost has to be, the player that lifts the Yankees from their 0-2 hole.

Soto went yard in Game 2, and he is one of the few Yankees hitters with a history against Los Angeles' Game 3 starter Walker Buehler.

Soto has a home run in three of his last four games and he recorded multiple hits on four occasions in the postseason, including Saturday's Game 2.

The only deterrent to Soto's MVP case would be Aaron Judge.

Judge's strikeout problems at the plate may lead to the Dodgers pitching around Soto and attacking Judge in certain moments until Judge proves he can hit out of his slump.