World Series Winners: Picking the Champions of the 2024 MLB Playoffs
Oct 23, 2024
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New York and Los Angeles have a rivalry in numerous sports, and it’s coming to a head in the 2024 MLB Playoffs. It doesn’t get much bigger than the Yankees and Dodgers, so baseball fans should prepare for an incredible show. Who will win the World Series and hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy? Here’s what you need to know about the October Classic.
How We Got Here in the 2024 MLB Playoffs
The New York Yankees never truly struggled in this year’s MLB Playoffs, considering they didn’t face any elimination games. Offseason acquisitions made the Yankees the prohibitive American League (AL) favorites, so it’s not surprising to see them here. New York’s front office acquired Juan Soto and Trent Grisham from the San Diego Padres to provide more production to the batting order and outfield.
In the regular season, the Yankees started strong before hitting a summer slump. How did they 25 games between June 13 and July 26? Regardless, their record was good enough to earn the best record in the AL. When the playoffs started, the Yankees hit their stride and put away the Royals and Guardians.
If you want to discuss off-season acquisitions, you’d be remiss not to mention the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team from Elysian Park signed Shohei Ohtani — already an all-time great player — to a record $700 million contract. This agreement shocked the baseball world, although the superstar is worth every penny. Ohtani is a home run threat each time he steps up to the plate, making pitchers fear him.
While the Dodgers have a stellar team, the 2024 MLB Playoffs format didn’t provide an easy path. The superior Los Angeles team faced elimination in the divisional round, as the rivaling Padres nearly put them away. Back-to-back shutouts were necessary to overtake San Diego and advance to the championship series. The New York Mets didn’t put up much of a fight, as the Dodgers easily won 4-2.
What Do the Oddsmakers Say About the MLB Playoffs?
If you want to know where the tide is turning in the World Series, check the sportsbooks. While the odds depend on the bookie, the consensus is that the Dodgers are the favorites. For instance, FanDuel Sportsbook has the Dodgers at -122 odds to win, meaning a $122 bet wins $100 if Los Angeles pulls it off. Conversely, the Yankees are +104 underdogs to win, so it’s not a sure bet by any means.
In the coming days, it’ll be interesting to see where the money lands. Are bettors favoring the Dodgers or Yankees? If the money heavily favors one side, the sportsbooks may adjust the odds to market activity. These companies use complex algorithms, rankings and consultants to determine the prices. The odds likely won’t significantly shift unless there’s a new injury or something we don’t know about.
What to Watch for in the World Series
These two teams have dominated the 2024 MLB Playoffs for good reasons. Now, it’s time for them to face off. What should you expect? Here are # factors to remember before the first pitch.
1. Stars Shine Bright
When was the last time we saw a World Series with such star power? The arms race of last off-season has led to a lot of star power in both dugouts. Now, it’s time for them to show the fans what they’re made of. 2024 may be the best and only shot for Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and co.
In the Dodgers dugout, you get Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández and numerous other West Coast stars. Each night, somebody is going to show up — it’s just a matter of whose turn it is. With all the offensive firepower, the pitchers will need comforting upper arm wraps the next day.
2. Pitching Consistency
Pitching is going to be critical in this World Series, which might not seem like a hot take. However, these powerful offenses will force the managers and pitching coaches to get creative with their rotations. The Dodgers specifically may need to experiment because of their recent vulnerabilities.
The Dodgers have had mixed results with their starting pitchers, forcing them to rely on their bullpen more often. While it’s worked through the 2024 MLB Playoffs, it might not generate wins against the Yankees’ terrific lineup. The starters will have to set up the bullpen for manageable games.
3. Fighting the Injury Bug
Unfortunately, the injury bug can strike anytime and anywhere. The World Series or practice could see players tear their ACL or suffer another season-ending injury, so each team’s training staff is working overtime to care for their players. Injuries could sideline one of the best players in the series.
Freddie Freeman has been a model of baseball consistency in the last few years. However, the first baseman sprained his ankle during the regular season and has missed a few games in the playoffs. If he doesn’t play, the Dodgers will sorely miss his offensive production, especially going against a juggernaut.
4. Offensive Consistency
The 2024 Yankees don’t exactly match up to the Murderers’ Row teams 100 years ago. However, this year’s lineup keeps pitchers awake at night. The team from the Bronx is hard to gameplan for because their batters are so good. With home run threats at the plate, they draw multiple walks each game.
When you walk a Yankee, you fear the next guy up. There’s a good chance that Soto or Gleyber Torres reach base, so that means Judge can bring them home with one swing of the bat. With so many great batters, opposing pitchers get tired early and require bullpen assistance.
5. All the Small Things
While the World Series is a unique atmosphere, it’s still just a baseball game. The team that handles its fundamentals will win the trophy and cement its place in the sport’s history books. One slip, overthrow or blown call could entirely change the direction of the series.
Imagine your team is up by a run in the ninth inning. The opposing team has a batter on first base, and he decides to steal for second. Instead of throwing him out, the catcher sends the baseball flying over the shortstop’s head. You wish you had a legend like Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate, huh? All the small things matter, regardless of your role.
Who Will End the MLB Playoffs As the Champion?
This World Series could truly go either way and cap the 2024 MLB Playoffs with fireworks. There’s a reason why the odds are so close for either team! You could flip a coin to pick the winner of this series.
Ultimately, the New York Yankees will win because of the Dodgers’ inconsistent starting pitchers. While Yamamoto and Buehler could have great games, it won’t be enough for the Yankees who take care of business in six games.
