Our pick for the 2024 MLB World Series

The 2024 World Series has given us a matchup baseball fans have been craving for years: the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a collision of two powerhouse franchises with history, talent, and drama dripping from every inning. The Yankees, with 27 championships, are trying to end a 15-year drought. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, fresh off their 2020 title, are aiming to add another to their collection. As both teams gear up for battle, it feels like we’re in for a series of heavy punches and some late-inning magic.

The Yankees: Strengths and Weaknesses

The Yankees enter the series hot, their lineup as imposing as it gets. Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton are three towering figures in baseball, and when they’re locked in, pitchers start sweating. Soto, in particular, has been the standout player of the postseason, and his ability to deliver under pressure has turned the Yankees’ offense into a wrecking ball. Add in Judge, who has yet to truly catch fire in the playoffs, and the potential for a breakout series looms large. If he gets going, it could be lights out for any pitcher daring to challenge him.

On the mound, Gerrit Cole is the Yankees’ ace, and he’s been every bit the stopper they need. If he’s locked in, he’ll be a problem for any hitter. After Cole, though, things get shakier. The Yankees don’t have another dominant starter, and while the bullpen has been solid, asking it to carry too much of the load could get dicey. Manager Aaron Boone has navigated his staff brilliantly so far, but the World Series is a different beast. There’s no room for error in a series this tight.

The Dodgers: Strengths and Weaknesses

The Dodgers come into this series with a lineup just as dangerous. Shohei Ohtani is the face of baseball right now, and with good reason. His ability to impact the Game both as a hitter and a pitcher makes him unique, and Los Angeles will lean on him heavily. Alongside him, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman round out a fearsome trio. Betts is a Game-changer on both sides of the ball, and Freeman, even with his lingering ankle injury, is still a threat. But that injury could be a major concern. Freeman missed a couple of Games in the NLCS, and while he’s expected to play, his effectiveness is a question mark.

The Dodgers’ starting rotation doesn’t have the firepower we’re used to seeing from them. They’ve lost key arms, and while Ohtani can fill some of that void, he can’t pitch every Game. Where the Dodgers hold a distinct advantage is in the bullpen. They have depth and versatility in their relief corps, and manager Dave Roberts has several options he can trust in high-leverage spots. This gives the Dodgers an edge in close Games, where every out feels like life or death.

The Impact of Fernando Valenzuela’s Passing

This World Series carries a layer of emotion for the Dodgers beyond just baseball. The passing of Fernando Valenzuela casts a shadow over the team. Valenzuela was more than a great player - he was a cultural icon, someone who brought the Dodgers to the hearts of so many. His death has united the team, and they’ve spoken openly about wanting to honor his memory with another title. The Dodgers will be playing with that added layer of motivation, which can be powerful in the postseason. Whether it’s enough to push them over the edge remains to be seen, but it certainly adds to the drama.

Prediction

This series is tight. Both teams have monster offenses, but it’s the small cracks and the moments of brilliance that will decide it. The Yankees have the upper hand in starting pitching, at least in terms of their ace. Cole has been a force, and if he can win his starts, that gives New York a real shot. However, the Dodgers’ bullpen is deeper and steadier, and in the postseason, Games often turn on late-inning heroics or mistakes.

Freddie Freeman’s injury could be pivotal. If he’s not close to 100%, it weakens the Dodgers both offensively and defensively. But on the flip side, the Yankees are relying heavily on their top three hitters, and if the Dodgers’ bullpen can neutralize them, it’ll be hard for the rest of the lineup to pick up the slack.

In the end, I lean toward the Yankees in seven Games. It feels like their time. After 15 years, with Soto playing like a man possessed and Judge possibly set to break out, they just have a little more firepower. But it’s not going to be easy, and the Dodgers will push them to the limit. Buckle up. This is going to be a World Series to remember.