As Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani gets set to play in his first career World Series, a memento from the biggest swing of his historic regular season is looking like it will be worth a small fortune.
The ball that Ohtani hit for his 50th home run of the 2024 regular season — making him the first MLB player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season — could fetch over $10 million at auction.
Auctioneer Ken Goldin, whose company Goldin Auctions is overseeing the sale of Ohtani’s record-setting home run ball, told TMZ Sports he believes the ball could fetch over $10 million at auction. Bidding is currently in the multimillion-dollar range, Goldin said, and he is expecting a dramatic increase in both the number and value of bids as the auction deadline nears.
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“It wouldn’t blow my mind,” Goldin told TMZ, “if some foreign bidder put this to eight figures and it topped $10 million.”
Goldin said he has not heard from Ohtani or anyone in his camp about possibly bidding on the baseball. Ohtani signed a historic, deferral-heavy $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason after proving himself as a two-way superstar with the Los Angeles Angels.
Bidding is currently underway for the home run ball despite an ongoing lawsuit over who has claim to the ball.
Ohtani finished the 2024 regular season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. He has three more home runs in the playoffs so far to help the Dodgers take down the San Diego Padres and New York Mets en route to their fourth National League pennant in eight years. He is set to win the 2024 National League MVP despite only being a designated hitter this season as he was sidelined as a pitcher due to a torn UCL suffered in 2023.
Major League Baseball hopes to find the Tampa Bay Rays a temporary home near their fanbase at least for the start of the 2025 season if the damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton cannot be repaired in time.
The translucent fiberglass dome at the ballpark in St. Petersburg was shredded by Milton’s winds, leaving its immediate future in doubt. A number of spring training sites around the Tampa Bay area have been suggested as temporary homes, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league wants a location in the region if possible.
“We’re hopeful that we can figure out something in [the Tampa Bay area] for them and that the repairs can be done in a way that allows them to resume playing,” Manfred said on a recent episode of The Varsity podcast.
“The easiest thing is always to stay in the market where the clubs are anchored, if we can manage it.”
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The Rays have played at Tropicana Field since their inaugural 1998 season, although the building was constructed in 1990. The hurricane damage comes a few months after the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County approved a new $1.3 billion ballpark in an adjacent location that would open in the 2028 season, part of a much larger downtown revitalization project.
The city has hired the Hennessy/AECOM firm to do a complete analysis of the Tropicana Field damage and contracted with another company to remove the remaining roof material, said St. Petersburg spokeswoman Alizza Punzalan-Randle. The city has also filed a claim with its insurance carrier, she said.
“We will have more information on next steps once the analyses have been completed and the remaining roof has been removed,” Punzalan-Randle said.
City Council member Brandi Gabbard said she expected the analysis by the first week of November.
“At that point we will have a better picture of the path forward,” Gabbard said.
So, where would the Rays go if the Trop isn’t ready on opening day of 2025?
Suggestions have included local-area spring training sites used by the Phillies, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates and Tigers. A bit further away is the Rays’ own spring training complex in Port Charlotte, about 85 miles (136 kilometers) south of St. Petersburg. Another option may be the ballpark at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando.
Most of those ballpark options host minor league teams after spring training ends, which could prompt significant adjustments to minor league team schedules. One way around that would be to play at the Orioles‘ spring training site in Sarasota, which does not have a minor league team.
There has also been talk of the Rays sharing the Miami Marlins‘ stadium, but that would be a major scheduling challenge and about a four-hour drive from St. Petersburg. A previous proposal to have the Rays play some home games in Montreal resurfaced, but the stadium there is undergoing renovation and would not be ready for next season.
The Rays declined comment Tuesday and have said only that it could take weeks “to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field.” Playing there without a roof is another idea, but the Trop doesn’t have the drainage systems necessary in such a rain-prone location.
Another factor to consider is how much money should be spent to repair a facility that will be torn down for the new ballpark in a few years.
The Rays’ opening “home” game against the Colorado Rockies is scheduled for March 27, 2025, and Manfred said MLB, the team and other entities will come up with a solution.
“The one thing I can tell you for sure, they’re playing next year. We’re going to find them someplace to do it,” Manfred said on the podcast.
One of those stars, Judge, had nothing but praise for his fellow baseball icon Ohtani during the Yankees’ media availability Tuesday ahead of the World Series.
Judge chuckled when asked by a reporter what he admires about Ohtani.
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“Besides the obvious — I feel like everything’s obvious — he hits for average, hits for power, the speed,” Judge said. “Doing what he did this year with 50 stolen bases, I know it got talked about a lot, but I don’t think it got talked about enough.
“He’s just an impressive athlete. The best player in the game. What an ambassador for this sport.”
As Judge alluded to, Ohtani stole 59 bases in addition to his 54 home runs in his first full regular season with the Dodgers, becoming the first player in MLB history with a 50-50 season. Ohtani’s 54 home runs were more than any other MLB player this season — except for Judge, who hit 58.
This year marks the first time two players who hit 50 or more home runs during the regular season will face each other in the World Series. Additionally, it’s only the second World Series in this millennium headlined by both (presumptive) MVPs from the regular season. The only other time that has happened since 2000 was in 2012, when Miguel Cabrera’s Detroit Tigers faced Buster Posey’s San Francisco Giants.
It is, however, the fifth Yankees/Dodgers World Series to feature that year’s regular season MVPs (h/t FanGraphs):
1941: Joe DiMaggio (Yankees) vs. Dolph Camilli (Dodgers)
1955: Yogi Berra (Yankees) vs. Roy Campanella (Dodgers)
1956: Mickey Mantle (Yankees) vs. Don Newcombe (Dodgers)
1963: Elston Howard (Yankees) vs. Sandy Koufax (Dodgers)
The two teams have split those previous four matchups — the Yankees beat their then-crosstown rival Dodgers in 1941 and 1956, while the Dodgers won in 1955 while still in Brooklyn and in 1963 after moving to Los Angeles.
The 2024 World Series begins on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX when the Yankees visit the Dodgers in L.A.
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Resale tickets for the World Series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium started at $1,358 on Monday evening on StubHub.
That’s an increase from opening prices on TickPick earlier Monday, where the cheapest tickets available came in at $999 and later increased to $1,085.
StubHub said sales outpaced last year’s final figures and are four times higher than the pace of the 2022 World Series Series. Sales for Games 3-5 in New York are 40% higher than for Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 in Los Angeles.
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Vivid Seats, another resale outlet, said its average price of tickets sold for this year’s Series was $1,368, about double the $685 last year for the Texas Rangers–Arizona Diamondbacks matchup. Vivid said its resale price averaged $550 for the 2009 World Series between the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.
Vivid said the average price of tickets it sold Monday was $1,302 for Game 1 on Friday, $1,392 for Game 2 on Saturday, $1,443 for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium and $1,389 for Game 4 on Oct. 29. It did not disclose a figure of how many tickets it sold. As of Tuesday afternoon, the cheapest Game 3 ticket was standing room only at Yankee Stadium for $1,705.
New York had 12 pitchers and 14 position players for the AL Championship Series against Cleveland after going with 11 pitchers and 15 position players for the Division Series versus Kansas City.
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“Could be 13. We’ll see,” manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday.
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Left-hander Nestor Cortes, sidelined since Sept. 18 because of a flexor strain in his pitching elbow, was scheduled to throw batting practice Tuesday and could be added to the roster, which must be submitted about seven hours before Friday’s opener in Los Angeles.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who recovered from two fractured fingers, was added for the series against the Guardians along with right-hander Marcus Stroman. New York dropped first baseman Ben Rice and speedy outfielder Duke Ellis.
Editor’s note: In advance of Bronny James’ Los Angeles Lakers debut on Tuesday night, which will make him and LeBron James the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together in league history, we’re bringing back this list of notable father-son duos in sports history — including one pair that plans to be in attendance for LeBron and Bronny’s moment.
Like father, like son.
Many remarkable athletes have had sons follow in their footsteps in their respective sport, including new Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James and his superstar father — and now teammate — LeBron James.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic father-son duos in sports history.
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LeBron James and Bronny James
LeBron James has made an incredible mark in the NBA, becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer this year. A 20-time All-Star, four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA Finals MVP, LeBron James has played 21 seasons and six with the Lakers.
His oldest son, Bronny, was selected by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick in this year’s draft, making the pair the first father-son duo to play simultaneously and on the same team in the NBA.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.
Ken Griffey Sr. played 19 seasons in the major leagues, most notably with the Cincinnati Reds. He won 10 Gold Glove Awards, seven Silver Slugger Awards and two World Series to go along with 13 MLB All-Star Game selections. In 2004, he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, finishing his career with a .296 batting average, 152 home runs and 859 RBIs.
Griffey Jr., played 13 seasons with the Seattle Mariners and nine with the Reds. Griffey Jr. and Griffey Sr. played two seasons together with the Mariners, becoming the first (and still only) father-son duo to play on the same MLB team and, in 1990, hit back-to-back home runs against the then-California Angels. Griffey Jr. was the American League MVP in 1997 and led the AL in home runs four times during his career. He’s seventh all-time with 630 career home runs. A 10-time Gold Glove Award winner and 13-time All-Star, Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.
(Update: Until the James duo, Griffey Jr. and Sr. were the only father-son pair in North American professional team sports to play on the same team, and both Griffeys reportedly plan to be in attendance Tuesday to celebrate the James’ moment.)
Archie Manning and Peyton Manning, Eli Manning
Archie Manning is at the forefront of the Manning legacy, playing quarterback in the NFL for 13 seasons, mostly with the New Orleans Saints. A two-time Pro Bowler, Archie Manning was inducted into the Saints’ Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.
Archie’s eldest son, Peyton, played quarterback at Tennessee, where he was the SEC Player of the Year in 1997 and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy Award that same year. He went on to be the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. A 14-time Pro Bowler, Peyton Manning was named NFL MVP five times and a first-team All-Pro seven times. He’s the only starting QB to win a Super Bowl for two franchises and holds the NFL records for career passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539).
Eli Manning played quarterback at Ole Miss, like his father, and won SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. He went on to be the first pick in 2004 by the San Diego Chargers (he was traded to the New York Giants that same day), winning two Super Bowls with the Giants and earning Super Bowl MVP honors both times. A four-time Pro Bowler, Eli Manning ranks sixth in passing yards in league history and his 210 consecutive starts from 2004 to 2017 is the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history.
Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds
Bobby Bonds, a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, became just the second player to hit 300 career home runs and steal 300 bases.
Barry Bonds played 22 seasons, mostly with the San Francisco Giants, and was a seven-time National League MVP. Bonds holds the records for most career home runs (762) and most home runs in a season (73). A 14-time All-Star, 12-time Silver Slugger Award winner and eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, Barry Bonds tied his father for the most seasons with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases (five).
Dell Curry, the 15th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, played 16 seasons, averaging 11.7 points and shooting 40.2% from deep in 1,083 career games. He most notably played for the Charlotte Hornets, finishing second on the team’s all-time points leader list.
Dell’s eldest son, Stephen, was selected seventh overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He went on to become a four-time NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP and nine-time All Star, and is widely considered the greatest shooter in NBA history, shooting over 43% from deep and 90% from the line in his career.
Selected with the first overall pick in 1978, Mychal Thompson averaged 16.7 points and 8.9 rebounds in seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers (1980-86) before playing half a season with the San Antonio Spurs (1986-87) and finishing his career with the Lakers. He won two championships with Magic Johnson and the Lakers.
Klay Thompson was drafted 11th overall in 2011 by the Warriors and has developed into one of the game’s best shooters. A four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star, Klay Thompson averaged 19.6 points per game on 41.3% shooting from deep in 11 seasons with Golden State. He announced his departure from the Warriors in free agency earlier this month, opting to sign a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Bobby Hull and Brett Hull
Bobby Hull led the NHL in goals seven times and was the second-leading goalscorer in league history (610) when he retired. Hull won back-to-back All-Star Game MVP awards in 1970 and 1971 after winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1961. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
Bobby Hull’s son, Brett, scored 741 goals in his career, the fourth-highest total in league history. The right wing won Stanley Cups in 1999 with the Dallas Stars and in 2002 with the Detroit Red Wings. A nine-time All-Star, Brett Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, joining his father to become the Hall’s first father-son duo.
Dale Earnhardt is one of NASCAR‘s most iconic drivers. He participated in 676 Winston Cups, winning 76 of them. Earnhardt’s career came to an end after he was involved in a fatal crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. He was posthumously inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame inaugural class in 2010.
Earnhardt Jr. won 26 Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 twice (2004, 2014). He had 260 top-10 finishes in Cup races in his career and was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 2000.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Howie Long played his entire 13-year career with the Raiders‘ organization. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 after helping the franchise win the Super Bowl the year prior. Howie Long finished his career with 84.0 sacks and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Chris Long was the second overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, and he became one of the few players in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls for different teams — with the New England Patriots in 2017 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. The defensive end recorded 70.0 sacks in his 11-year career.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees will meet up in the World Series, starting with Game 1 on Friday (8:08 p.m. ET on FOX).
This will be the 12th time these iconic franchises will battle for a championship, but the first time since 1981.
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Here is the lowdown on Game 1, including how to watch, potential lineups and more.
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How can I watch the World Series?
Every game will be broadcast on FOX, and each contest is slated to start at 8:08 p.m. ET. Here is the schedule:
Who is favored?
The Dodgers are currently favored to win Game 1, and also favored (-125) to win the series.
Who will start Game 1?
The Yankees will start reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. The Dodgers have not yet announced a starter. Walker Buehler was expected to start Game 7 of the NLCS if that had occurred. But the long break gives them more options, including potentially Jack Flaherty or Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Dodgers vs. Yankees preview: Who will win the World Series?
Neither team has announced its starting lineup, so these are projections based on how Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts have filled out their cards in recent games. Also, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has been in and out of the lineup with an ankle injury, so we’ll have to keep an eye on that. This will be updated when things become official.
The New York Yankees face off with the Los Angeles Dodgers in this year’s World Series, and former Yankee Darryl Strawberry joins Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth to preview the series to see who will come out on top.
Two of baseball’s most iconic franchises will meet again in the Fall Classic.
The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to do battle in the World Series for a record 12th time. After each team built the best record in their respective leagues, the Yankees won the American League pennant over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, while the Dodgers won the National League pennant over the New York Mets on Sunday.
As Game 1 won’t take place until Friday, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at the previous meetings between the Yankees and Dodgers in the World Series.
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1941 World Series: Yankees beat Dodgers, 4-1
The first World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers was tightly contested even though it was decided in five games. Game 4 had the most important moment in the series. Trailing 4-3 entering the ninth inning, the Yankees scored four runs in the top of the frame. The Dodgers were actually a strike away from securing the game and evening the series, but catcher Mickey Owen failed to secure the catch on a foul tip by Tommy Henrich that would’ve been strike three. A strong of hits from the Yankees allowed them to take the lead and win Game 4 before winning the series in Game 5.
Yankees rookie Phil Rizzuto (left) and star Joe DiMaggio are shown ahead of the 1941 World Series. (Getty Images) –> <!–>
1947 World Series: Yankees beat Dodgers, 4-3
The Yankees and Dodgers’ 1947 World Series went the full distance, which was also the first time that the Fall Classic was televised. The Dodgers took Game 4 in a bizarre way, with Cookie Lavagetto hitting a game-winning double that ricocheted off Henrich to score two runs in a 3-2 win. The hit actually ended the Yankees’ no-hit bid, too. Game 6 featured Dodgers outfielder Al Gionfriddo’s iconic over-the-shoulder grab that helped them win that game, 8-6. However, New York took the series in Game 7 behind a strong pitching performance from reliever Joe Page, who pitched five scoreless innings in the 5-2 win.
1949 World Series: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–1
Henrich was, again, at the center of one of the important moments in a World Series game between the Yankees and Dodgers. He hit the first walk-off home run in World Series history in Game 1 to give the Yankees a 1-0 win. The Yankees took Game 3 behind a three-run ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie and win, 4-3. New York won the series in Game 5, with its bats dominating en route to a 10-6 win.
1952 World Series: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–3
The Dodgers and Yankees alternated wins for the first six games of the series, with Brooklyn winning the odd-numbered games. The series really heated up in Game 5 as the Dodgers won in 11 innings, giving them two chances to win the title in front of their home crowd. But Mickey Mantle hit his first World Series home run in the eighth inning of Game 6 that wound up being the game-deciding run in a 3-2 win. In Game 7, the Yankees held a 4-2 lead and second baseman Billy Martin made a running grab on Jackie Robinson’s fly ball to save a few runs from scoring. New York held on to win Game 7 and the series.
Mickey Mantle takes a swing during the 1952 World Series, as Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella watches. (Getty Images) –> <!–>
1953 World Series: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–2
The Yankees continued their domination of the Dodgers and sustained their overall excellence in the sport in the 1953 World Series. With the series tied 2-2 in Game 5, Mantle helped make his mark, hitting a grand slam as part of New York’s 11-7 win. In Game 6, the Yankees held a 3-1 lead entering the ninth inning. Dodgers outfielder Carl Furillo hit a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth inning, keeping their World Series hopes alive, but only for a little bit. Martin played World Series hero again for the Yankees in the bottom of the inning, hitting a single that scored the World Series-winning run. The loss wound up costing Dodgers manager Chuck Dressen’s job, too.
1955 World Series: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4–3
Finally, the Dodgers got on the board in their dramatic World Series battles with the Yankees in 1955. Game 1 featured one of the most iconic moments in baseball history when Robinson stole home in the eighth inning. The Dodgers actually lost that game, though, 6-5. New York took a 2-0 series lead before Brooklyn won three straight. The Yankees took Game 6, 5-1, behind a dominant performance from Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford. But he was topped by Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres in Game 7, who pitched a shutout in the 2-0 victory. It was Podres’ second scoreless outing of the series, helping him win the inaugural World Series MVP award.
1956 World Series: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–3
After losing a World Series for just the third time in 18 appearances in 1955, the Yankees got their revenge over the Dodgers in 1956. In another seven-game series, the Yankees got contributions from many of their top hitters. Mantle hit three home runs in the series while Yogi Berra hit two homers in the the Yankees’ decisive 9-0 win in Game 7. The most iconic moment from the 1956 World Series came in Game 5, though. Yankees starting pitcher Don Larsen pitched the first and only perfect game in World Series history as part of New York’s 2-0 win.
Don Larsen pitches for the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, as he became the first (and only) pitcher to throw a perfect game in the World Series. (Getty Images) –> <!–>
1963 World Series: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4–0
This was the first matchup in which it wasn’t a pair of New York teams doing battle, as the Dodgers had moved to Los Angeles prior to the 1958 season. In this one, the Yankees were no match for the starting ace tandem of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, who held New York to four runs in the four games. Koufax was named World Series MVP after throwing complete games in both the opener and Game 4, while Drysdale threw a shutout in Game 3, a 1-0 nail-biter.
Sandy Koufax is mobbed by his teammates after the Dodgers completed their sweep of the Yankees in the 1963 World Series. (Getty Images) –> <!–>
1977 World Series: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–2
This series was all about Reggie Jackson, aka “Mr. October.” Jackson hit .450 with five home runs and eight RBis in the six games. He put on a legendary show in the series-clinching Game 6, going 3-for-3 with three home runs and five RBIs in an 8-4 win. The only other player to hit three home runs in a World Series clincher is Babe Ruth in 1928.
Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees hits his third home run in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. (Photo by Louis Requena/MLB via Getty Images) –> <!–>
1978 World Series: Yankees defeat Dodgers, 4–2
The teams met for a second straight year, and Reggie Jackson had another great series with four home runs, including a two-run blast in Game 6. L.A. actually took a 2-0 series lead before the Yankees rattle off four straight. Lou Piniella’s walk-off hit won Game 4 to tie the series, and Thurman Munson drove in five runs in Game 5.
1981 World Series: Dodgers defeat Yankees, 4–2
These teams last met in the World Series 43 years ago, and it was a thriller. The Yankees won the first two games before the Dodgers came up clutch with three straight one-run wins, including a Game 3 victory behind the pitching of Cy Young winner Fernando Valenzuela. In the Game 6 clincher back in New York, Pedro Guerrero came up big, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a triple and five RBIs. Guerrero was co-MVP of the series, sharing the award with Ron Cey and Steve Yeager.
Co-World Series MVPs (from left) Pedro Guerrero, Steve Yeager and Ron Cey celebrate their defeat of the Yankees on Oct. 28, 1981 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) –> <!–>
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As the 2024 World Series draws near, the question of home field advantage becomes an important topic of discussion. With two strong teams ready to compete for the championship, it’s worth exploring how playing at home can influence the series. Keep reading to find out who has home field advantage, why, and more:
After the Yankees clinched the ALCS, the World Series home-field advantage hinged on the outcome of the NLCS. While the Yankees would have had home field against the Mets, the Dodgers ended up earning the top overall seed among the 12 playoff teams.
As a result, Games 1-2 of the World Series will be held at Dodger Stadium before the series moves to New York.
2024 World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers Preview | MLB on FOX
How is home field advantage determined?
The team with the better regular-season win percentage will secure home field advantage, regardless of whether they won their division or earned a Wild Card spot. This means they will host Games 1-2 and, if necessary, Games 6-7.
In the event that two teams have identical win percentages, the tiebreaker is their head-to-head record, which can be determined since every team now faces each other at least once during the season.
2024 World Series Schedule
Here’s the schedule for the 120th Fall Classic, with start times yet to be announced. Each game will be broadcast on FOX.
Home field is not as much of an advantage as it has been made out to be.
Teams holding home-field advantage in the World Series during the Wild Card Era (since 1995) have won the championship 19 out of 28 times (67.9% success rate), not counting the 2020 World Series (played at a neutral site). However, when it comes to winner-take-all Game 7s, the impact of home field is less pronounced. Historically, home teams are 19-21 in these critical World Series matchups and 64-66 in all winner-take-all postseason games, which includes wins by the Dodgers and Guardians in their Division Series Game 5s this year.
In the 2023 World Series, the road team performed impressively, going 4-1, with the Rangers securing their first title by winning three consecutive games in Arizona. In 2022, the Astros had home-field advantage against the Phillies but ultimately lost Game 1 at home before clinching the title. The previous year, the Braves triumphed over the Astros despite not having home field, winning both Game 1 and the crucial Game 6 in enemy territory. Adding to the mix, the 2019 World Series saw the Nationals defeat the Astros in a seven-game series where the home team failed to win a single game.
How has home field advantage historically been decided?
The current system for determining World Series home-field advantage, based on overall win percentage, was implemented in 2017. Notably, there have been four different sets of rules for home-field advantage in the 21st century alone.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted significant changes to the 2020 MLB season, including adjustments for the World Series. For the first time ever, the 116th World Series between the Dodgers and Rays took place at a neutral site—Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas—as part of MLB’s efforts to reduce exposure to the virus. This marked the first Fall Classic played at a single stadium since 1944, when the Browns and Cardinals competed at their shared venue, Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis.
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