Two of Major League Baseball's biggest brands and payrolls will collide Friday night when the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers square off in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium.
The Yankees eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in five games to reach their 41st October Classic, while the Dodgers disposed of the San Diego Padres in six games to advance to the World Series for the 25th time.
The popular BetMGM sportsbook has the Los Angeles Dodgers as the favorite to win the 2024 World Series with odds of -135. Despite winning eight out of 11 World Series meetings between the two teams, the New York Yankees are +110 underdogs.
The Dodgers have home-field advantage and have been red-hot in October, with an average margin of victory of six runs.
Based on moneyline odds, the Dodgers at -135 (1.7) odds are the more likely winners and have an implied win probability of 57.4%, while the Yankees at +110 (2.1) odds have a 47.6% chance to win the series.
Betts is batting .295 with eight extra-base hits (4 doubles, 4 home runs) and 12 RBIs in this year's postseason. The 32-year-old has also received eight free passes, swiped two bases, and scored 10 runs for the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. A $100 bet on Betts capturing the MVP award would earn a total payout of $850.
Judge is having an awful postseason and is hitting .161 (5-for-31) with 13 strikeouts. However, the AL MVP favorite has hit two long balls in the playoffs after crushing 58 dingers during the regular season. Judge batted .322 with 95 extra-base hits and 144 RBIs this year, and a $100 wager on the slugger smacking the most homers will earn a profit of $500.
The Bronx Bombers boasts a star-studded batting lineup that includes Judge, Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, and Gleyber Torres.
Soto is batting .333 in the playoffs with three home runs, seven walks, and eight RBIs. The soon-to-be free agent hit .288 with 41 homers, 129 walks, 128 runs, and 109 RBIs during his first season in the Big Apple.
Stanton cracked five long balls to win the ALCS MVP trophy and a $250,000 bonus. The 34-year-old clubbed 27 homers and drove in 72 runs in the regular season, while Rizzo and Torres combined for 23 dingers and 98 RBIs. Other hitters include Austin Wells, Jazz Chisolm, Anthony Volpe, and Alex Verdugo.
The Dodgers have a 4.36 ERA in 97 playoff innings, and starting pitchers Jack Flaherty (7.04), Walker Buehler (6.00), Ryan Brasier (5.14), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (5.11) all sport ugly ERAs. However, skipper Dave Roberts has a deep bullpen with an array of talented relievers, including Evan Phillips (0.00), Blake Treinen (1.13), Michael Kopech (1.69), and Anthony Banda (1.59).
The Big Blue Wrecking Crew sports a star-laden batting order featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, and Enrique Hernandez.
Ohtani is batting .286 with three homers after a historic regular season (54 long balls, 59 stolen bases, and a 1.036 OPS). Edman has been the top hitter in the postseason with a .341 batting mark.
Freeman hit .282 with 22 home runs and 89 RBIs this past season, while Muncy batted a disappointing .232 with 15 dingers in 73 games. The Hernandez boys have combined for 243 hits, 45 home runs, and 141 RBIs.
The Yankees have a staff ERA of 3.27 through nine playoff games, but starting pitchers Gerrit Cole (3.31), Carlos Rodon (4.40), Clark Schmidt (3.86), and Luis Gil (4.50) will have a much bigger challenge against the Dodgers' hard-hitting lineup. Similar to Los Angeles, the Yankees have a capable bullpen that includes closer Luke Weaver (2.61), Tommy Kahnle (0.00), Tim Hill (1.59), Clay Holmes (3.52), and Mark Leiter (3.86).
2B Gleyber Torres
RF Juan Soto
CF Aaron Judge
CA Austin Wells
DH Giancarlo Stanton
3B Jazz Chisholm
SS Anthony Volpe
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Alex Verdugo
SP Gerrit Cole
DH Shohei Ohtani
RF Mookie Betts
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Teoscar Hernandez
3B Max Muncy
CA Will Smith
CF Enrique Hernandez
2B Gavin Lux
SS Tommy Edman
SP Jack Flaherty
The teams have met 11 times in the World Series, with the Yankees winning eight times:
• 1981: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4–2
• 1978: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–2
• 1977: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–2
• 1963: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4–0
• 1956: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–3
• 1955: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4–3
• 1953: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–2
• 1952: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–3
• 1949: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–1
• 1947: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–3
• 1941: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–1
• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 25, 8:08 PM ET at Dodger Stadium
• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 26, 8:08 PM ET at Dodger Stadium
• Game 3: Monday, Oct. 28, 8:08 PM ET at Yankee Stadium
• Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 8:08 PM ET at Yankee Stadium
• Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 8:08 PM ET at Yankee Stadium (If necessary)
• Game 6: Friday, Nov. 1, 8:08 PM ET at Dodger Stadium (If necessary)
• Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:08 PM ET at Dodger Stadium (If necessary)
• Where to watch in the UK: Sky Sports, TNT Sports (TV), or other live streams
Prediction: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4-2
As the highly anticipated 2024 World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers kicks off, baseball fans and bettors alike are in for a thrilling showdown. With star power on both sides and plenty of exciting storylines, this series promises to be one for the ages.
For those looking to place bets on outcomes like MVP winners, home run leaders, or game results, the best betting sites in New York such as Fanatics, FanDuel and DraftKings offer competitive odds and a variety of wagering options. Whether you’re backing the Yankees or Dodgers, make sure to check out these platforms for the best odds and promotions as the World Series unfolds.
