The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will face each other in the 2024 World Series in a highly anticipated matchup of heavyweight teams. Not only are they the teams that spend the most on their payroll, this will be the 12th time they meet in the “Fall Classic”. The first time was in 1941 and the last in 1981.
It all begins this Friday with Game 1 scheduled at Dodger Stadium for 8 pm Eastern time (5 pm local).
Both teams are among the biggest spenders in terms of salary in Major League Baseball: the Yankees ranked second in payroll this season with 311 million dollars, while the Dodgers were third with 266 million.
A duel between two teams with a lot of history
The two franchises are among the most successful in sports. The Yankees have just won their 41st American League pennant and the Dodgers their 25th National League championship.
New York is seeking its 28th World Series title, but its first since 2009, while the Dodgers are aiming for their eighth title and second in a span of five years.
Aaron Judge vs Shohei Ohtani
The series pits two of the great baseball players of this generation against each other: Shohei Ohtani from Los Angeles versus Aaron Judge from New York.
Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a regular season. He has largely maintained that production in the playoffs, hitting .286 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.
Judge had another outstanding regular season, leading the Major Leagues with 58 home runs. He also batted .322 with 144 RBIs. The 32-year-old player has had some struggles in these playoffs, with a batting average of .161, two home runs, and six RBIs.
The other figures
The showdown between Ohtani and Judge will surely grab the most attention, but both teams have other players who have shined so far in October.
Veteran Giancarlo Stanton is having an excellent postseason, hitting .294 with five home runs and 11 RBIs, earning him the American League Championship Series MVP award. The 34-year-old player has battled injuries and inconsistency since joining the Yankees in 2018, but he could solidify his legacy with a strong World Series performance.
The Dodgers made it to October with an unlikely threat in their lineup: Tommy Edman, acquired at the trade deadline from the Cardinals. His contribution has been vital this postseason. He is batting .341 and hit a two-run home run in the team's victory over the Mets on Sunday. He won the Most Valuable Player award in the National League Championship Series.
In the Los Angeles team, Mookie Betts also stands out, who in the "old circuit" final against the Mets hit two home runs, drove in nine runs, and had a .346 average.
Ticket prices through the roof
A prominent pocket will be needed to attend this year's "Fall Classic" game, which has generated a lot of media attention as it will finally feature the Yankees against the Dodgers in the World Series.
The lowest resale ticket price on the market has ranged between $1,200 and $1,300, according to Stubhub, surpassing last year's final figures, which were four times higher than the 2022 Series.
Sales for the three games in New York are 40% higher than those for Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 in Los Angeles.
Changes in the rules
Many of the recent changes in baseball rules remain in effect during the postseason, including the pitch clock, the ban on special defensive formations in the infield, and a limit on the number of times a pitcher can step off the rubber. The pitch clock has been a major change for the sport, widely praised for reducing game times by approximately half an hour.
There is a rule that is eliminated in the postseason: the so-called "automatic runner" in extra innings. During the MLB regular season, if a game goes into extra innings, a runner is placed on second base to start the tenth inning when each team is batting. This does not happen in the postseason. Extra innings will be played just like the first nine.
Where to watch the 2024 World Series?
In the United States, the "Fall Classic" will be broadcast by FOX with play-by-play from Joe Davis and commentary from former pitcher John Smoltz.
You can also watch FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com.
In most of Latin America, the World Series between Yankees vs Dodgers will be broadcasted by ESPN and Disney Plus.