World Series 2024 preview: Yankees vs. Dodgers

The Yankees and the Dodgers get set to meet in the World Series, which begins Friday night in Los Angeles.

It's a dream World Series matchup, one that will draw out the stars both on the diamond and in the seats (and already has set records for how much a ticket for one of those aforementioned seats will cost). Featuring a battle between the two presumptive league MVPs, plenty of pitching firepower on both sides, a manager's legacy on the line and a long history between two of baseball's most iconic (and highest-spending) franchises, this year's edition of the Fall Classic looks to have something for everyone.

Here is Newsday's preview of the 2024 World Series, with everything you need to know about the Yankees, the Dodgers and the rest of the best-of-seven series.

ALL EYES ON THE SLUGGERS

Yes, this World Series is Yankees vs. Dodgers — the sport's most storied franchises, two former New York rivals and the true Goliaths of the game — but ask anybody across the globe what’s getting them to tune in, or shell out big bucks for a ticket, and the answer is a rare prize fight between two likely league MVPs. David Lennon goes in-depth on Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani, a heavyweight matchup that truly makes this a World Series.

This World Series is Judge's first, but although he acknowledges that "this is where the real fun starts," he and the rest of the Yankees are treating this series just like they did the ALDS and ALCS: a business trip. 

And then there's Juan Soto, who got his club here with a 10th-inning home run in Game 5 of the ALCS against Cleveland — and who has hurt the Dodgers plenty of times in the past. Erik Boland looks at Soto's impact on the Yankees both on and off the field, and David Lennon has more on the return of Public Enemy No. 1 for Los Angeles.

MAKING THEIR PITCH

Gerrit Cole has pitched in his share of big games in his career and has had plenty of success in them. On Friday night, the 34-year-old righthander — a Yankees fan growing up who watched the likes of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, David Cone and Mike Mussina dominate on the mound in the postseason — will get the ball to start Game 1 for the Yankees, and as usual he's not shying away from the pressure. Erik Boland has more on Cole and his ability to thrive in the spotlight.

Nestor Cortes hasn't been on the Yankees' roster for either the ALDS or ALCS because of a strain in his pitching elbow, but he said he's willing to risk further injury if it means getting a World Series ring. Erik Boland speaks with the player that teammates say has the biggest guts on the team.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers' ace could have very well been a Yankee this past August. Tim Healey has more on Jack Flaherty, who has become an important piece of an injury-ravaged pitching staff since arriving in Los Angeles at the MLB trade deadline.

MONEY MATTERS

They say that money can’t buy you happiness. But don’t try selling that line to Yankees and Dodgers fans. The two teams in this year’s World Series rank No. 2 and 3 in MLB payrolls this season, with the Dodgers at an estimated $351.7 million and the Yankees at $314.8 million, according to the website Cot's Contracts. Anthony Rieber and Tim Healey break down the financials behind both World Series teams.

Free agency isn't the only way to construct a winner, though. From homegrown stars and big trades to savvy finds, Anthony Rieber looks at how the 2024 American League champion Yankees were built.

Each time Juan Soto steps to the plate this World Series, half of Yankees fans' focus will be on his performance at the plate in that moment. The other half? On his impending free agency this winter. The 26-year-old outfielder likely will command one of the richest contracts in baseball history when he hits the market, but as David Lennon writes, the money may not be the only factor in where Soto plays next year. (And when his free agency does arrive, Soto will have plenty of advice from Yankees and Dodgers veterans who have gone through it before, via Tim Healey.)

WORLD SERIES INFO

There are potentially seven games between the Yankees and Dodgers to see who wins four first and become World Series champions. How it all unfolds is to be determined over the next fortnight, but here are five keys to help figure it all out.

Here's when and where to watch each game of the World Series (assuming you aren't paying a record-breaking price for tickets):

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 25 at Los Angeles, 8:08 p.m, Fox

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 26 Los Angeles, 8:08 p.m, Fox

Game 3: Monday, Oct. 28 at Yankees, 8:08 p.m, Fox

Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Yankees, 8:08 p.m, Fox

*-Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Yankees, 8:08 p.m, Fox

*-Game 6: Friday, Nov. 1 at Los Angeles, 8:08 p.m, Fox

*-Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 2 at Los Angeles, 8:08 p.m, Fox

*-if necessary

YANKEES-DODGERS HISTORY

The Yankees and Dodgers have met in 11 previous World Series dating back to 1941, with the Yankees taking eight of them. Some of those series have produced all-time baseball moments: Don Larsen's perfect game, Reggie Jackson's three home runs on three straight pitches, the most famous passed ball in history and more. Here's a deeper look at how each of those 11 World Series meetings went.

WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS