Major League Baseball’s two most historic franchises are set to clash on the grandest stage, as the New York Yankees take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.
This matchup comes as no surprise, as both teams were the top seeds in their respective leagues. The Yankees led the American League (AL) with a 94-68 record, while the Dodgers topped the National League (NL) with a 98-64 record.
This series is truly a toss-up. Although the Yankees lost fewer games than the Dodgers, the latter faced tougher competition and achieved more dominating wins.
In the AL Division Series (ALDS), the Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals in four games (Best of 5) and overcame the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the AL Championship Series (ALCS, best of 7).
Despite losing only twice, every game was decided by three runs or fewer. The Yankees received some criticism for their performance, as the Royals and Guardians are not typically viewed as strong contenders due to their lack of star power.
Nevertheless, the Yankees continued to win, fueled by the exceptional play of Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, along with a dominant bullpen that consistently found ways to secure victories.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, required one more game in each of their series, defeating the San Diego Padres in five games and the New York Mets in six.
The Dodgers were on the brink of elimination against the Padres, trailing two games to one, before their pitchers dominated and didn’t allow a single run for the remainder of the series.
The Dodgers’ path to the championship was viewed as more challenging and impressive, as they faced the red-hot Padres—who seemed perfectly built for the postseason—and the equally formidable Mets. At times, the Dodgers displayed dominance with five wins by four or more runs, though they also experienced three losses by four runs or more.
This upcoming matchup promises to be must-watch television, showcasing an abundance of star power on both sides.
The series features two presumed MVPs: AL MVP Aaron Judge and NL MVP Shohei Ohtani. Other stars include Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and many other exceptional players.
Overall, this series is shaping up to be an exciting competition. Each team has its distinct advantages. The Yankees boast the best starting pitcher in Gerrit Cole, along with a superior bullpen and a more clutch offense.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have an overall stronger starting rotation and a more consistent offense that can be dominant from top to bottom.
Prediction: Yankees in seven games:
The Yankees have a better bullpen and a more clutch offense, which, as history has shown, are crucial qualities for winning the World Series, leading to my prediction of the Yankees winning in 7.
The series kicks off on Friday, October 25th, in Los Angeles at 8:08 PM on Fox Network.
