Yankees vs. Dodgers: World Series Game 5 predictions, odds and picks - Oct 30, MLB 2024
The New York Yankees successfully staved off elimination in the World Series with their first win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. Their offense finally came through and helped them force a Game 5 on Wednesday, their last home game no matter what happens.
They still face an uphill battle but are going to take it one game at a time, as many players and coaches have said. That begins tonight in another must-win matchup. Here's everything you need to know.
Yankees vs. Dodgers Recent Form and Records
After winning the AL East, the Yankees, with 94 wins, defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-1 and the Cleveland Guardians 4-1. They started off the World Series going winless in three tries but bounced back to take Game 4.
The Dodgers had MLB's best record in the regular season, winning 98 games. They responded by going 7-4 in the first two rounds against the San Diego Padres and New York Mets before jumping out to a 3-0 and now 3-1 lead in the World Series.
Players to watch
Starting pitchers
Jack Flaherty (1-2, 6.10 ERA, 14 SO in playoffs) vs. Gerrit Cole (1-0, 2.82 ERA, 16 SO in playoffs)
Jack Flaherty had a 1.07 WHIP and 194 strikeouts in 162 innings pitched during the season.
Last Start (World Series): 5.1 innings, five hits, two earned runs, one walk, six strikeouts.
Career vs. Yankees: 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and four strikeouts in six innings.
Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole had a 1.13 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 95 innings pitched during the season.
Last Start (World Series): Six innings, four hits, one earned run, no walks and four strikeouts.
Career vs. Dodgers: 4-2 with 5.01 ERA and 41 strikeouts in eight appearances.
Must-watch hitters
Dodgers
Freddie Freeman blasted another home run last night, becoming the first to do that in the first four games of a World Series and six straight World Series games in general.
Will Smith finally got going with a home run, thanks to Yankee Stadium's short porch, but he is a key player for the bottom half of the Dodgers' lineup.
Yankees
Gleyber Torres had another stellar outing last night, including putting the game out of reach with his eighth-inning three-run home run. He has been excellent batting leadoff this year.
Aaron Judge finally broke through with an RBI, smoking a single in the bottom of the eighth. He was on base three times and scored a run, too.
Yankees vs. Dodgers Baseball Betting Odds
Yankees vs. Dodgers Expert Predictions
The Yankees knew they needed to get to Game 5 to give the ball back to Gerrit Cole, who pitched fairly well for them in Game 1. They did that, and now they have a good chance to send the series back to LA.
Jack Flaherty has been quite up and down in the postseason, and the Yankees bats came to life finally. Look for them to squeak by on the back of their ace and somehow force a Game 6.
Run Spread: -1.5
Total Runs: Over 8
Prediction: Yankees 5, Dodgers 4