World Series Preview: The Empire Vs The A-List

Eric Urbanowicz
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The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees will face off in the 2024 World Series. This will mark the twelfth-time in the over one-hundred-and-twenty-year history of the World Series, with the Yankees leading the overall series 8-3.

With the stage now set, let’s look to see who has the advantages and figure out a prediction. Will New York claim their twenty-eighth championship, or will Los Angeles get their second straight title over the Yankees in the World Series?

Let’s go position by position and breakdown the match ups:

 

Catcher: Will Smith (LAD) vs Austin Wells (NYY)
Starting behind the plate, we have the veteran Will Smith going against the rookie Austin Wells. While Wells had an alright season, Smith was not only better in every hitting statistic, he also was an All-Star this year. Wells has a bright future but point to Los Angeles.
Point: LAD, 1-0

 

First Base: Freddie Freeman (LAD) vs Anthony Rizzo (NYY)
First base features a battle between two players that a decade ago were two of the best first basemen in the National League (and Rizzo’s understudy, Jon Berti). Rizzo has done a better job setting the table with hits in less at bats, but Freeman has been more of presence for the Dodgers. A higher average is always nice, but a lower average with a steal and a run batted in will trump it.
Point: LAD, 2-0

 

Second Base: Gavin Lux (LAD) vs Gleyber Torres (NYY)
While not flashy names, both Lux and Torres have been stable and productive players through the regular and postseason. With that said, Torres has been much more of a force for New York with more RBIs and a higher average. He’ll get the Bronx Bombers on the board here.
Point: NYY, 2-1

 

Shortstop: Tommy Edman (LAD) vs Anthony Volpe (NYY)
Anthony Volpe vs Tommy Edman should be a match up for the ages. On the one hand, you have someone who some are dubbing as the next great Yankee shortstop. On the other hand, you have someone whose been feasting this postseason. Volpe should have multiple postseasons to come but right now, this is Edman’s world, and we just live in it.
Point: LAD, 3-1

 

Third Base: Max Muncy (LAD) vs Jazz Chisholm Jr. (NYY)
Third base is a battle between regular and postseason. Chisholm had a better regular season, but Muncy has had a better postseason to this juncture. The problem for Chisholm in this instance is the difference though: dropping from a .256 batting average to a .147 is horrifying. He’ll be a dynamic player and a serious threat for New York for years to come, but unless he turns it around massively, point to the Dodgers.
Point: LAD, 4-1

 

Outfield: Teoscar Hernandez, Enrique Hernandez & Mookie Betts (LAD) vs Alex Verdugo, Aaron Judge & Juan Soto (NYY)
The outfield for both sides has been lightning rods for both of their teams. Breaking it down, New York has the advantage, 2-1 here. Aaron Judge, despite a rough start (and going against one of the hotter postseason hitters) is more than likely going to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award this year. Meanwhile Juan Soto, though close with Mookie Betts, has just been a force this postseason.
The one point that Los Angeles will get here, Teoscar Hernandez has made more of an impact than Alex Verdugo has. So, advantage Yankees in the outfield.                                                                                      Points: NYY, 5-3

 

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani (LAD) vs Giancarlo Stanton (NYY)
Ohtani versus Stanton, a future National League MVP versus a former National League MVP. Adding to the craziness, Stanton has had a postseason for ages. Despite the spike in his play lately, it’s hard to make a case where you pick Stanton over Ohtani and that continues here. Ohtani carried his strong play into the postseason, after having a historic regular season, so points go to the Dodgers.
Point: LAD, 6-3

 

Starting Pitching: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty & Walker Buehler (LAD) vs Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil
The Dodgers and Yankees starting pitchers can be anywhere from good to hard to watch, depending on the day. So far this postseason, it’s been all New York. Factoring in regular season though, it’s more of a tossup. Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil give New York their points here, but Rodon is what costs them. So again, it’s a two-point swing for the Yankees.
Points: NYY, 7-5

 

Bullpen: LAD vs NYY
Both teams saw some bullpen struggles throughout their respective Championship Series’. New York allowed the Cleveland Guardians to get back in and cause some nail biting, especially once it went into extra innings, twice. Meanwhile Los Angeles allowed the Mets to put up some hard numbers as games went on. With that said, Los Angeles’ bullpen seemed much more up to task and able to shut the door on.
Point: LAD, 8-5

 

Closer: Blake Treinen (LAD) vs Luke Weaver (NYY)
Treinen vs Weaver is going to be a closer match up for the ages. Treinen has been very effective and has a lower earned run average this postseason. Weaver on the other hand has one more save and a lower WHIP (Walks Plus Hits Per Innings Pitched). Ding!
Point: NYY: 8-6

 

Prediction:

This should be a heavyweight bout for the World Series. Hollywood versus The Big Apple is always a box office smash, and we shouldn’t expect any less this time around.

Los Angeles just has much more of advantage in this instance. The on the field personnel is going to make this tough for New York. Add to it experience in the World Series for Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts and it gets even harder.

New York should have a great chance at winning World Series number 28 here, but they’re going to have to play closer to perfect baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series, 4-2

Eric Urbanowicz

Connecticut

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