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    Former Florida State pitcher for the Yankees
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    Former Florida State pitcher for the Yankees

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    Luke Weaver has spent most of his nine-year Major League Baseball career in cities across the Midwest and West, from Cincinnati to Arizona to Seattle.

    He never thought he would play in New York.

    “It was more than I could have imagined,” Weaver told the Tallahassee Democrat.

    “Florida Kid to the Big Apple wasn’t necessarily on my bingo card. It was a highlight of my career to say the least. I had more fun than ever before and with a group of people who make it possible every day.

    “The team’s success has made all of this even more so. If we’re honest, the win definitely improves the mood.”

    Weaver, 31, is the former Florida State star who has become an elite reliever and closer for the New York Yankees in his first season with the storied franchise. The Tallahassee resident and Deland native now prepares to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on MLB's biggest stage in the World Series.

    The showdown takes place on a level playing field with the game's biggest stars. Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers will likely be MVPs in their respective leagues. This will be the 12th World Series meeting between the two organizations and the first edition since 1981. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series takes place Friday at 8 p.m. ET in Los Angeles on Fox.

    Yankees closer Luke Weaver is “enjoying what lies ahead” in the World Series against Dodgers

    Weaver was a mainstay out of the bullpen for the Yankees, taking on the role of closer late in the season and relying on a mix of four-seam fastball, change-up and cutter.

    The hard-throwing right-hander finished with two shutout innings in New York's 5-2, 10-inning Game 5 win over the Cleveland Guardians last week, punching the team's ticket to the World Series.

    This was Weaver's first appearance in the MLB postseason.

    In eight games against Kansas City and Cleveland, the former first-round pick (2014) of the St. Louis Cardinals is 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA and four saves. During the regular season, Weaver was 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA over 84 innings in 62 games. He had four saves with 103 strikeouts.

    “It’s certainly a different type of pressure,” Weaver said of the postseason.

    “It all fits in the same pot, but I can't deny that the levels aren't all maxed out. For me, staying in the moment means enjoying what is in front of me. “I don’t let anything get too big.” And that helps me control my heart rate better on the hill.”

    Weaver knows the Dodgers.

    He has made 11 career appearances with a 1-4 record and a 7.38 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 39 innings. Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty was Weaver's first roommate in professional baseball, and center fielder Tommy Edman was a teammate of Weaver's in St. Louis.

    The Yankees-Dodgers World Series is considered a dream matchup for the MLB.

    Broadway vs Hollywood.

    New York is seeking its 28th World Series title, but for the first time since 2009; the Dodgers their eighth and second in five years.

    “This is a matchup that we know will be challenging as a team and we are looking forward to it,” Weaver said. “Two historic franchises and only one that can be crowned champion.”

    “This is the baseball dream come true.”

    2024 World Series schedule

    New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

    best-of-seven series; X-if necessary

    Game 1, Friday, October 25th: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

    Game 2, Saturday October 26th: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

    Game 3, Monday October 28th: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

    Game 4, Tuesday, October 29th: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

    x-Game 5, Wednesday, October 30th: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

    x-Game 6, Friday, November 1st: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

    x-Game 7, Saturday, November 2nd: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – 8:08 p.m. ET | FOX

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