2024 World Series predictions: will the Yankees or Dodgers triumph in a showdown?

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As always, it’s whoever’s facing the Yankees. While the Yankees might be slight underdogs (with a 48% chance of winning according to bookmakers), who can really cheer for a team with 27 championships? Plus, they have a bigger payroll (at least on paper). Wouldn’t you rather support baseball’s superstar, Shohei Ohtani?

On the other hand, the Yankees owe some of their success to their bullpen, especially Tim Hill. Hill’s journey is a classic rags-to-riches tale: after being released by the White Sox—who went on to have a historically bad season—this 34-year-old lefty has made a significant impact in the playoffs with his sidearm pitching.

The Yankees. New Yorkers are still processing the recent indictment of their mayor, Eric Adams, and the city could really use a morale boost during this tough time. With their last World Series win in 2009, the Yankees also fit the mold of a quasi-underdog story.

A six-game series is good, but seven games is ideal, filled with tightly contested matches brimming with intensity and rivalry. Imagine the Dodgers pitching inside to Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm trash-talking everyone, and the passionate Bronx fans heckling the Dodger right fielders. And, of course, we’d want some late-inning heroics to make this the most memorable Fall Classic since the Cubs broke their championship drought in 2016.

### What the Yankees Need to Do to Win …

**Keep Drawing Walks.** The Yankees lead MLB in walks, with 10.8% of plate appearances resulting in a walk (averaging 4.22 per game). Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto, the top two hitters in the lineup, are especially adept at getting on base. This strategy applies pressure on opponents, particularly when Aaron Judge is up to bat with runners on base.

**Maintain Early Pressure.** The Dodgers are the toughest challenge yet, but if the Yankees sustain their impressive on-base percentage, they could thrive. Torres has reached base in the first inning of eight out of nine playoff games. Additionally, it’s crucial for Judge to elevate his performance.

**Extend Starting Pitching.** In their five ALCS games against the Guardians, the Yankees’ starters failed to make it through five innings in four of them. Manager Aaron Boone likely feels confident in his strong bullpen trio of Tommy Kahnle, Clay Holmes, and Luke Weaver, but ideally, he wants to bring them in with a lead.

First and foremost, the Yankees need to figure out how to defeat a legitimate playoff team, something they haven’t accomplished this postseason. They’ve been hovering around a .500 record since June, and with the American League being weak this season, beating the Dodgers will be a challenge. New York also needs contributions from players other than Judge, Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton to produce consistently. Additionally, they must find a way to get the Dodgers’ hitters out, which is no easy feat given their deep lineup that excels against pitching, even with a banged-up Freddie Freeman. Gerrit Cole will need to dominate in two games for New York to have any chance.

### What the Dodgers Need to Do to Win …

**Secure Enough Pitching to Win Four Games.** Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have had inconsistent postseasons, but both had strong regular seasons (with ERAs of 3.17 and 3.00, respectively). The situation becomes concerning after that, as likely third starter Walker Buehler has struggled with consistency all year, allowing at least three hits in every outing. LA’s bullpen, already weakened by injuries, will be vital.

**Start Strong with Flaherty.** A bounce-back performance from Flaherty to open the series is essential, especially if he can contain Gerrit Cole, whose ERA is better on the road. However, LA’s lineup is formidable, with Ohtani, Max Muncy, and even Freeman poised to exploit the short porch at Yankee Stadium, which could spell trouble for New York. A boost from Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith would make the Dodgers even more dangerous.

**Monitor Freeman’s Recovery.** The team will need a mix of rest, luck, and pain relief to help Freddie Freeman regain his form as he recovers from an ankle injury. Muncy and Tommy Edman stepped up during the NLCS, but relying on that to continue may not be wise.

LA’s lineup must focus on wearing down the Yankees’ starters and forcing them into the bullpen early. They also need to improve their defense, as fielding was an issue at times during the NLCS. Additionally, Dave Roberts will need to outmaneuver Aaron Boone, especially since Boone isn’t known for his strategic prowess.

### One Bold Prediction …

**A Combined No-Hitter Will Occur.** We may witness MLB’s 22nd combined no-hitter. Over the past decade, coaches have become more willing to pull starters early in tight playoff games, making it rare for a pitcher to face the lineup a third time. With the Yankees appearing healthier and better-rested, they seem more likely to achieve this feat.

**At Least Three Games Will Go into Extra Innings.** Given the strengths of both teams’ pitching, it’s easy to envision the Dodgers taking multiple leads, only for the Yankees to fight back. Fortunately, baseball’s newer rules will keep fans engaged late into the night.

**Ohtani Will Have a Mildly Disappointing Series.** The Yankees plan to start Carlos Rodón twice, and the lefty is particularly tough on hitters like Ohtani. It’s just the kind of unpredictable outcome that baseball is known for—having the world’s greatest player put up mediocre numbers over six or seven games.

**A Dramatic Game 7 Moment.** Picture this: it’s Game 7, deep into extra innings, and the Dodgers are out of pitching options. Suddenly, Ohtani jogs from the dugout to the bullpen. Is he really going to pitch? Despite Roberts saying it wouldn’t happen, Ohtani begins warming up. The baseball world watches in shock as he climbs the mound to face the Yankees’ heavy hitters in the top of the 16th inning. And then, he takes them down in order. The Dodgers win, leaving jaws dropped everywhere, and Japan comes to a standstill.

### World Series MVP Predictions …

**Gerrit Cole.** He’s expected to outlast Jack Flaherty in Game 1 (and likely Game 4), with a strong chance the Yankees will win both games behind him. Unless another player gets hot, that performance could be enough to earn him MVP honors in a close series.

**Shohei Ohtani.** As the best player in the world, Ohtani has been stellar this postseason, going 6-for-9 with runners in scoring position. His three-run homer in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres set the tone for the Dodgers’ playoff run, making him a prime MVP candidate.

**Mookie Betts.** The Dodgers’ standout right fielder has been impressive in the playoffs, even with Freddie Freeman not providing his usual protection in the lineup. If Freeman can get going early, it could open things up for Betts, making him a significant threat.

**Teoscar Hernández.** While a Dodgers pitcher like Yamamoto won’t be in the running due to limited appearances, Hernández could step up and dominate. After struggling in the NLCS with a low OPS, he’s definitely due for a breakout performance.

### Your World Series Winner Will Be …

**Yankees 4-2 Dodgers.** Some might say the real winner is MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, given the matchup’s appeal. But on the field, the Yankees’ healthier and well-rounded lineup seems poised for yet another title.

**Dodgers 4-3 Yankees.** The series will come down to batting. While the Yankees have more power, their lineup weakens in the latter half. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are just as powerful and have a consistently dangerous lineup. Plus, they have Ohtani.

**Yankees 4-3 Dodgers.** Both teams are evenly matched, and any perceived advantage is an illusion. Given their pitching depth, with four healthy starters, the Yankees could edge out the Dodgers.

**Dodgers 4-1 Yankees.** New York may struggle to win a game against LA. Their record has been buoyed by a fast start in a weak league, and their lineup lacks balance, relying heavily on a few top hitters. I don’t trust Cole in a critical moment, and I expect the Dodgers to dominate, winning most games decisively.