Commentary: 2024 World Series Prediction

Vincent Goldschmidt, Benjamin Galko, Jack Biggs, Felix Lettini, John Downey, and Reece Garvin • October 25, 2024

Photo credit/ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2024_MLB_Postseason.svg

The 120th World Series is set to start tonight, with the New York Yankees being the American League representative and the Los Angeles Dodgers coming from the National League. For the Yankees, they broke their longest pennant drought, with the 2010s the only decade that New York didn’t make a World Series. As for the Dodgers, this is their fourth World Series since 2017, as they look to hoist another trophy, as many consider their 2020 title to have an asterisk, due to the COVID pandemic shortening the season. This meeting is the 12th, the most in MLB history. The Yankees have the edge in the series, currently ahead 8-3, though the Dodgers won the last matchup of these two storied franchises.

Will we see the Yankees cushion their lead for most World Series won or will the Dodgers be able to put to rest the doubt fans have?

Vincent’s Pick: Yankees 4-2
What a way to end the season: the top two teams of the regular season and two of baseball’s premier franchises. Despite Los Angeles’ recent success, making every postseason since 2012, three World Series and winning in 2020, the Yankees are due for another title. Both offenses will be spectacular, with Los Angeles being led by NL MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy, while New York is led by Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton and AL MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge, though his bat has been quiet this postseason. I believe pitching will be the X-Factor however, with New York’s rotation being led by reigning AL Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole. Breakout reliever Luke Weaver has been a bolster to the bullpen and it won’t surprise me if he slams the door in all four Yankees wins. Though Los Angeles won’t go down without a fight, the WNBA’s Liberty won’t be the only New York team winning a championship this year.

World Series MVP: Juan Soto

Ben’s Pick: Yankees 4-2
For the first time since 1981, the Yankees and Dodgers will face off in a World Series. This is the Yankees’ first World Series since winning it all in 2009 and the Dodgers’ second World Series since winning it in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Both teams are filled with star power from the pitching rotation to the lineup. Although both teams have the talent and the hunger for the championship, the Yankees’ pitching rotation and bullpen are stronger than the Dodgers, which is what will lead to them winning their 28th World Series.

World Series MVP: Gerrit Cole

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Jack’s Pick: Dodgers 4-3
In a starkly different matchup to last year’s Rangers-Diamondbacks affair, two teams that many expected to be competing in the Fall Classic are doing just that. The Yankees and Dodgers begin their war tonight, one that could potentially last until early November. The Yankees progressed through a surprisingly easy AL playoff bracket, while the Dodgers battled through the injury bug and defeated two of the hottest teams in baseball. With the amount of talent both teams have in their dugouts, this series may be one for the history books. Ohtani, who has had a nearly perfect second half of his 2024 season, leads the superstar train, and it’s hard to believe his reign of terror will end without a championship. Each game will be a high-scoring affair, and neutral viewers across the country hope that each goes down to the wire. The World Series will build to a cinematic climax in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers will win it in Game 7, prolonging the Bronx’s wait for a 28th championship.

World Series MVP: Shohei Ohtani

Felix’s Pick: Yankees 4-2
Some of the best teams in baseball are set to go to battle today. The Yankees and Dodgers rosters are filled with talent. This will be the first time Judge and Ohtani will compete in the World Series and probably won’t be their last. It is really difficult to pick a winner in this matchup and it can go both ways. However, the Yankees seem to have a slight advantage over the Dodgers. The Yankees’ pitching is amazing and can get better if Nestor Cortes comes back. They also have so many powerful hitters. The two main stars of course are Soto and Judge but don’t sleep on the ALCS MVP Stanton. He has homered four in his last five games and was the main reason why the Yankees knocked off the Guardians. Putting this all together, the Yankees will win in six and their fans will now brag about 28 rings.

World Series MVP: Juan Soto

John’s Pick: Dodgers 4-3
This prediction is extremely tough because of how evenly matched up these teams are. Both teams went out in the offense and acquired massive pieces that helped take their teams to this point. Juan Soto for the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani for the Dodgers both had outstanding seasons and postseasons as well thus far.

The Yankees haven’t been battle tested at all throughout the playoffs and so that will definitely hurt them in any games that are close in this series. The Dodgers on the other hand were tested from the jump, staving off elimination in the divisional round coming back from 2-1 and despite beating the Mets in six games they had their work cut out for them in the NLCS as well.

There’s a few keys to this series, which are first who’s going to play the most crisp baseball on the defensive, pitching and what role player will come up with that clutch knock or diving play to save a run. To me I believe the Dodgers have the edge in the first two keys because they’ve played great defense throughout the postseason and their entire pitching staff is deeper than the Yankees. The role player to me who’s going to have the best impact is Tommy Edman because of how well he’s hit thus far and having been serviceable at shortstop.

World Series MVP: Mookie Betts
Reece’s Pick: Yankees 4-2
The matchup that everyone has been looking forward to, Yankees vs. Dodgers. With the two biggest stars in baseball, both Ohtani and Judge being on each team, this series is bound to be a classic. These two teams have gone all in to bring a title back to their city. Both teams hold the top two spots for highest active payroll in the league.
The Yankees have been swinging the bat very well this postseason. They have tallied many double-digit hit games without their best hitter in Judge hitting above .200. Cole is back healthy, playing like his normal self. On top of that they have only dropped one game in both series this postseason. It’s been a walk in the park for the Bronx Bombers so far, and I believe this is their year to bring a championship back to the city.
World Series MVP: Juan Soto

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About the Contributors

Vincent Goldschmidt, Editor In Chief/Sports Editor

Vincent Goldschmidt is a junior Multimedia Communications Major, on the track of Sports Media, and is the Editor In Chief and Sports Editor for The Wood Word. Along with his Wood Word work, he hosts a sports talk show, He Knows Ball, on VMFM 91.7, serves as the Sports Director and a Sports Anchor for TV-Marywood, and the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Marywood's Emmy nominated sports broadcasts.

Benjamin Galko, Multimedia Staff

Ben Galko is a junior Multimedia Communications major, focusing on Sports Media and is a part of The Wood Word's Multimedia Staff. Outside of The Wood Word, he is a member of Marywood's basketball broadcasts, a DJ on VMFM 91.7, the Assistant Producer with Marywood Films and the captain of the Marywood Men's Golf team. Ben enjoys golfing, running and biking, when he isn't fulfilling his many roles.

Jack Biggs, Staff Writer

Jack Biggs is a junior Multimedia Communications major with a focus on Sports Media. He is a Staff Writer for The Wood Word, and does camera work and graphics for the He Knows Ball podcast. Outside of the Communications department, Jack is a team captain in the esports program and a member of the tennis team. He loves watching open-wheel racing and getting angry about various Pittsburgh sports teams.

Felix Lettini, Multimedia Editor

Felix Lettini is a sophomore Multimedia Communications major with a focus in Film, TV and Digital Production. He serves as the Multimedia Editor and hosts Who’s Writing on The Wood Word YouTube. Besides The Wood Word, Lettini is an audio technician for Marywood Films and hosts his own show on VMFM 91.7. Outside of Marywood, he spends his time fishing and farming.

John Downey, Staff Writer

John Downey is a junior Multimedia Communications Major, on the track of Sports Media, and is a Staff Writer for the Wood Word. John, along with his Wood Word work is a member of TV-Marywood formerly serving as a Sports Anchor and now as the News Copy Editor, DJ’s for VMFM 91.7, commentates for Marywood Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and is a member of the Marywood Baseball team.