"Great job, Lin. You did well today—now go get some rest, we're counting on your performance for the upcoming games!"

On the Yankees side, as Lin Guanglai was replaced after starting as the pitcher and shutting out the Dodgers' lineup, while also hitting a two-run homer off Kershaw, Joe Girardi greeted him outside the player area, firmly patting his back with an expression full of admiration.

Inside the player area, a large group of Yankees players were also enthusiastic, rushing forward to high-five and chest-bump Lin Guanglai, expressing their joy in this manner—

It's no joke, this is the World Series! So many players worthy of the Hall of Fame end their careers without ever touching the ground here, but now they're just one step away from victory—how can the Yankees players not be thrilled?

Watching Aroldis Chapman returning from the bullpen warm-up, ready to take the field, Lin Guanglai fixed his gaze on his eyes and said, "Aroldis, we're counting on you for the last inning and a half, brother!"

"Don't worry, Lin—I'm a reigning World Series champion; these two runs you secured won't be handed back to the Dodgers!" As one of the key contributors to last year's Chicago Cubs championship, Chapman, well-versed in such occasions, confidently patted his chest, assuring Lin Guanglai.

"Moreover..." Chapman paused for a moment and glanced toward the Dodgers' player area before continuing, "I'm not losing to that guy Kenley Jansen—I'll let all Major League viewers know that I, Aroldis Chapman, am the best closing pitcher!"

Like today's starters Lin Guanglai and Kershaw, the Dodgers' Kenley Jansen and Yankees' Aroldis Chapman are both top Major League relief pitchers, yet their styles are distinctly different: 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Jansen predominantly uses cutter balls at 92-94 mph, a sinker at 94 mph, and a slider at 82 mph, whereas Chapman's signature skill is his globally known, dazzling fastball with an average speed over 98 mph, peaking at 102.4 mph.

Regarding who is the best current MLB closer, opinions from analysts and fans vary; Chapman views this year's World Series showdown as the defining moment of this debate—if he can lead the Yankees to surpass the Dodgers, then the better one will be clear as day.

In the top of the ninth, Jansen has already responded, using sharp cutter balls to induce weak ground balls from Yankees hitters, quickly shutting down baserunners with the help of stable infield defense; now it's Chapman's turn to respond!

Carrying a resolute momentum amidst the jeers of nearly sixty thousand Dodger Stadium fans, the Cuban Missile stepped onto the mound, then began pitching.

"Strike!" "Strike!" "Strike!" echoed around as ninety-mile fastballs flew from Chapman's fingertips like there's no tomorrow;

Meanwhile, in the batter's box on the other side of the field, the Dodgers' hitters couldn't find a way to deal with him.

Soon, as Cody Bellinger grounded out at first base in the third at-bat, the Yankees secured the final out they needed—the umpire raised his hand, declaring the result of the game:

"Three outs, game over!"

"Los Angeles Dodgers 0:2 New York Yankees, New York Yankees, win!"

Almost simultaneously with the end of the game, Yankees players scrambled out from the guest player area at third base side into the field to celebrate with their teammates—securing a win in the World Series opener means they are one step closer to the championship, and it's certainly worth celebrating.

After briefly embracing and celebrating with teammates, Lin Guanglai, walking at the back of the crowd, was quickly stopped by reporters in the media area at the sideline, with camera flashes flickering incessantly, and microphones almost poking into his face.

"How do you feel about winning the first game of the World Series? Winning is certainly good news, it means we are just 3 wins away from the coveted World Series championship; of course, we must remain as hungry as before, the Dodgers are the top team in the entire Major League, we absolutely cannot get complacent because of this one victory..."

"Your thoughts on Kershaw? I think I've said many times before, Clayton is one of my idols; I remember the first time I ever watched an MLB game live, it was Clayton's start against the San Diego Padres (see Volume 2, Chapter 010), I have nothing but respect for him... but that respect is limited to off the field, in the official games we are opponents, so everything I do is only to help my team secure the victory, that's all."

"Next target? The target is certainly to win three more games, if possible, I hope we can win the championship in front of our home fans in the Bronx; but everyone on our team knows that this won't be an easy task, so we need to take it step by step."

The interview was simple, but Lin Guanglai's words inside and out exuded absolute confidence:

Nowadays, both he and the entire New York Yankees have become resilient and strong from the grind of each victory; everyone on the team holds the belief—if they can perform normally, they can beat any opponent.