NEW YORK — Hoping for at least one more at-bat before free agency, Juan Soto stood in the on-deck center with his Yankees helmet on his head and his bat in his arms watching the Dodgers jump up and down near the pitcher’s mound. Anthony Volpe stood and watched from the Yankees dugout with tears in his eyes, while Aaron Judge headed for the clubhouse without looking.

This was the late-night scene last Oct. 30 at Yankee Stadium when the Dodgers won the World Series after rallying from 5-0 down in the Game 5 clincher.

Away from the celebration, Dodgers pitcher Walker Buechler stood with his arms raised high. A starter pitching in relief, the right-hander killed the Yankees’ season by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts to seal a one-run victory.

Eight months later, Buechler was b

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