MLB Lines: World Series Game 4

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MLB Lines: World Series Game 4

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees head into Game 4 of the 2024 World Series on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. 

The Dodgers took each of the first two games in Los Angeles before moving within one game of a sweep with a 4-2 win in Game 3 on Monday night in New York. The Yankees are now in a must-win situation, hoping to extend the series with a Game 4 victory.

Los Angeles will rely on a bullpen game, the fourth time this postseason, while New York turns to right-hander Luis Gil (15-7, 3.50 ERA). First pitch is set for 8:08 EST.

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Dodgers Turn to Their Bullpen

The Dodgers enter Game 4 with a 3-0 lead, controlling the series after winning the first three matchups, including two at home and one on the road. Game 1 was decided by a walk-off grand slam from Freddie Freeman, giving the Dodgers a 6-3 victory in extra innings, while Game 2 saw them secure a 4-2 win despite a bases-loaded threat in the ninth inning. 

In Game 3, Freeman continued his hot streak with a home run in his fifth consecutive World Series game, supporting a solid five-inning outing from Walker Buehler to move Los Angeles within one win of the championship.

For Game 4, the Dodgers will turn to their bullpen strategy. This will be their fourth bullpen game in the postseason, with a record of 2-1 in the previous three. In those matchups, Los Angeles has utilized eight, five, and seven pitchers, respectively, as manager Dave Roberts has kept a close watch on his bullpen’s workload. 

Their first bullpen game in the playoffs against the Padres was an 8-0 shutout win, using eight pitchers and allowing just seven hits. However, their last two bullpen games have seen the team allow 22 hits and 12 runs, including 11 hits in each outing.

Key injuries for Los Angeles include Shohei Ohtani, who left Game 2 with a shoulder injury but has been cleared to play; reliever Michael Grove; and Joe Kelly, both of whom are day-to-day.

Yankees Lean on Luis Gil

The Yankees return to Yankee Stadium with their season on the line, facing a must-win Game 4 after losing three straight games to the Dodgers. New York was close to winning Game 1, taking a late lead before Freeman’s grand slam put the Dodgers on top. 

In Game 2, the Yankees loaded the bases in the ninth inning, only to fall short as Anthony Volpe struck out and Jose Trevino flew out to end the game. Game 3 saw more struggles at the plate, with New York’s top hitters—Gleyber Torres, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge—going a combined 0-for-9. Alex Verdugo’s ninth-inning homer saved the Yankees from a shutout, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the 4-2 loss.

In this do-or-die game, the Yankees will send Luis Gil to the mound. The 28-year-old right-hander had a strong season, finishing 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts. After a high workload during the regular season, the Yankees limited his innings down the stretch. 

He did not pitch in the ALDS but made his postseason debut against Cleveland in the ALCS, allowing three hits and two runs over four innings with three strikeouts. Gil faced the Dodgers once this year, allowing five hits and three runs over 5.2 innings, striking out five and walking one.

Prediction

New York has won three of four home games in the playoffs, scoring at least five runs in each victory. With the Dodgers relying on a bullpen game, the Yankees will look to capitalize against a pitching staff that has averaged nearly seven pitchers per bullpen game in the postseason. Judge and Austin Wells, who have both struggled this series, are due for a breakout. 

Judge is batting just .150 in the playoffs with 19 strikeouts in 40 at-bats, while Wells has hit .098 with 18 strikeouts in 41 at-bats. While Judge’s regular-season power is well-known, Wells was also a productive hitter, contributing 13 home runs and often batting out of the cleanup spot.

If Gil can deliver a strong outing, he can set up the Yankees’ bullpen for the final innings, keeping their World Series hopes alive. The combination of home-field advantage and a rested, competitive starter in Gil gives New York an edge in Game 4.

Prediction: Yankees Moneyline (-147)