The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are set to battle in Game 4 of the 2024 World Series after the first 3 games have been nothing short of a wild ride.
The Dodgers come in with a commanding 3-0 series lead, putting the Yankees on the brink of elimination.
Scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium, this matchup will see the Yankees desperately looking for a lifeline at home. They need to win tonight or chance letting the Dodgers head home with their 8th World Series title.
Despite the pressure, the Yankees are favored by the bookmakers at around -148 on the moneyline, with the Dodgers listed at +124. Here’s everything you need to know about this game, including our expert pick.
The Yankees are the favorites at -148 on the moneyline, giving them a 58.3% implied probability of winning.
Despite the daunting 3-0 deficit, somehow the oddsmakers still have faith in New York’s ability to stay competitive at home. The Dodgers, meanwhile, come in as +124 underdogs, implying a 45.9% chance of a win and a sweep of the 2024 World Series.
On the run line, the Yankees are -1.5 at +140 odds, while the Dodgers have +1.5 at -166. The total for this matchup is set at 8.5 runs, with the overpriced at -112 and the under at -108.
In postseason play, the Yankees have been solid at Yankee Stadium, boasting a 3-1 home record so far with their first loss at home being last night during Game 3.
The Dodgers’ offense has been explosive throughout the postseason, led by the dynamic duo of Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani.
Betts has been a nightmare for opposing pitchers, putting up 4 home runs and 13 RBIs this postseason. His consistency at the plate, paired with his ability to find gaps in the outfield, keeps him a constant threat at the plate. Betts has been impressive so far; he went 2-for-4 in Game 3, adding to his streak of multi-hit games.
Ohtani, dealing with a mild shoulder injury, has remained in the lineup in his usual spot of DH. Despite the setback, his presence gives the Dodgers a bit of offensive depth that the Yankees will struggle to match. Despite going 0-3 last night, we still expect Ohtani to remain aggressive at the plate as the Yankees pitchers try to pitch around him.
The Yankees need a big performance from Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Soto to stay alive in this series. Why not Aaron Judge? Well, we’re writing him off at this point. He went 0-3 again last night.
Stanton has been one of the few bright spots for New York, smashing 6 home runs with 14 RBIs this postseason. If the Yankees want to turn things around, Stanton will need to come through with some clutch hits to claw the Yankees into Game 5.
Juan Soto, who leads the Yankees in batting average this postseason at .350, provides a bit more firepower at the plate. Soto went 2-for-4 with a homer in Game 2 but 0-for-3 in Game 3. His usual consistency in getting on base (.460 OBP) will be key if the Yankees are to find a way to extend the series.
The Yankees will rely on Luis Gil to contain the Dodgers’ bats. Gil has shown a few flashes of brilliance this season but will need to be at his best against a Dodgers lineup that has been nothing short of relentless. For the Yankees to keep this game close, Gil will need to limit his walks and keep Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman in check. He’ll also need backup from a bullpen that has struggled to contain the Dodgers’ offense in this series.
With the Dodgers on the cusp of a sweep, they hold all the momentum.
Their lineup has shown it can produce consistently against the Yankees’ pitching, and their bullpen has been effective in closing games out. The combination of Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman at the plate, backed by a fairly dependable bullpen, makes Los Angeles a tough team to bet against.
On the other hand, the Yankees will fight hard. They’re on the cusp of elimination, but their offense has been too inconsistent to inspire confidence.
While Stanton and Soto have put up decent numbers so far in the series, the rest of the lineup has struggled to find a rhythm against a Dodgers rotation that has executed well under pressure.
Luis Gil has potential, but he’ll face a monumental task in keeping the Dodgers’ stacked lineup in check.
BettorsInsider Best Bet: Dodgers Moneyline (+124) for the WS sweep
Taking the Dodgers on the moneyline offers strong value. Los Angeles has proven they can handle the Yankees’ pitching, and with the strong momentum, they’re well-positioned to close this series out in 4 games.
Betting on the Dodgers as underdogs gives you a nice payout with a team that’s displayed both offensive power and pitching depth throughout this series.
Expect the Dodgers to seal the series with a sweep and celebrate a championship in Yankee Stadium.