“We didn’t have to do anything crazy” - Joe Kelly on Dodgers’ straightforward approach in the World Series against Yankees

For Joe Kelly's Dodgers, the 2024 postseason was about consistency and fundamentals. Despite being one of the most highly-skilled clubs of the modern age, LA stuck to the game they knew, and reaped the results.

Recently, Joe Kelly appeared on an edition of his podcast, Baseball Isn't Boring. Speaking about how the Dodgers were able to go 12-5, winning three straight series, Kelly revealed that keeping it simple was the objective and that his club “didn’t have to do anything crazy.”

"BIB on the Go: Joe Kelly Isn't Letting Up On The Yankees. Listen here" - Baseball Isn't Boring

Kelly's comments echo what USA Today revealed about the Dodgers' scouting reports on the New York Yankees ahead of the World Series. In the memo to the team, New York was "talent over fundamentals" and LA's playbook was "to put the ball in play, and make New York play baseball."

An MLB reliver since making his debut for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, the 36-year-old Kelly was part of the Dodgers' roster that won the 2020 World Series. In 35 appearances in the 2024 season, the right-hander pitched to a 1-1 record, 4.38 ERA, and fired 35 strikeouts over the course of 32 innings.

"2024 PitchingNinja "Taking Signs like a Psychopath" Award. Winner: Joe Kelly" - Pitching Ninja

The Dodgers posted 98 wins in 2024, which was the most in MLB. From pitching to hitting, the story of the year was tremendous skill coupled with solid baseball fundamentals. LA ranked first in the NL in home runs, OPS, doubles, and were second only to the Arizona Diamondbacks in runs scored and on-base percentage.

Joe Kelly is winding down his career with yet another victory

One of the longes-tenured relief pitchers in MLB, Kelly won the second title of his career in 2024. With his one-year, $8 million deal set to expire this offseason, some big decisions will be coming for the 36-year-old. Even before the World Series, Kelly was confident in his team's abilities over the Yankees, as he told The Score:

"Look at the team, look at the talent, we go through numerous scouting reports. We pay attention to every single detail. We have a lot of big superstars in our clubhouse, but our superstars also care and aren't lazy and play hard. That's the difference and the biggest separator."

For the Dodgers, and Kelly, their winning mix of skill and baseball IQ proved lethal. It also set the standard for a truly winning recipe that will serve a guide for World Series hopefuls going forward.