The moment baseball fans have been eagerly anticipating has finally arrived – the New York Yankees will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series. This heavyweight battle features a plethora of superstar talent, from Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in pinstripes to Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts wearing Dodger blue. With legacies and a championship on the line, this Fall Classic promises to be one for the ages.
Two Storied Franchises Collide
The Yankees and Dodgers are two of the most iconic and successful franchises in Major League Baseball history. The Yankees boast a record 27 World Series titles, while the Dodgers have won seven, with their last coming in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Both teams spend heavily in their quest for championships, with the Dodgers shelling out over $1 billion in salary commitments this past offseason alone to sign Ohtani and others.
Star Power Galore
This series is a dream matchup for marketing the game’s biggest stars. Aaron Judge, coming off his 62-homer season and AL MVP award in 2022, leads a fearsome Yankees lineup that also includes trade deadline acquisition Juan Soto, the young superstar outfielder. On the other side, Shohei Ohtani has continued his unprecedented two-way dominance, while Mookie Betts remains one of the game’s elite all-around talents.
If there is one player I think could dominate this matchup from beginning to end, it’s Juan Soto, who, for now at least, resides in the Yankees dugout.
– Bradford Doolittle, ESPN
Keys to the Series
While both lineups are stacked, pitching could determine the outcome. The Yankees appear to have the rotation edge with Gerrit Cole leading a strong staff, while the Dodgers will lean heavily on their deep, tested bullpen. But if Ohtani can deliver a signature performance on the mound and at the plate, the Dodgers may prove difficult to beat, especially with home field advantage.
- The Yankees have four legitimate starters to cover the seven-game series, while the Dodgers will need more bullpen games
- Getting through the top of the Yankees’ lineup, especially the lefty hitters, will be critical for Dodgers’ pitching
- An awakening by Aaron Judge, who has mostly struggled this postseason, could significantly tilt the series in the Yankees’ favor
Predictions and Odds
ESPN’s MLB experts are split down the middle on picking a winner, with seven votes each for the Yankees and Dodgers. The series going the full seven games was the most common prediction. As for the odds, the Dodgers are narrow favorites at -125 according to ESPN Bet, implying a 55.6% chance of winning the series.
| Team | Odds | Percent Chance |
| Dodgers | -125 | 55.6% |
| Yankees | +105 | 48.8% |
Regardless of the outcome, this World Series promises to be a memorable one featuring some of the sport’s brightest stars on its biggest stage. Will the Yankees add to their unmatched championship legacy, or will the Dodgers cement their 21st century dynasty? The answers will unfold under the bright October lights, as a dramatic final chapter to the 2024 MLB season awaits.
