MLB Lines: World Series Game 5

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MLB Lines: World Series Game 5

The 2024 World Series continues Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64) and New York Yankees (94-68) square off in Game 5. The Dodgers dominated the early games, winning the first two at home and following up with a 4-2 victory in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. 

However, the Yankees fought back with an 11-4 win in Game 4, keeping their season alive. MLB Lines indicate a close matchup, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 EST at Yankee Stadium.

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Dodgers One Win from Championship

The Dodgers are still just one win away from clinching the World Series title, even after their Game 4 loss. Los Angeles took an early 2-0 lead off a Freddie Freeman home run in the first inning, but by the end of the third, they were down 5-2 and decided to preserve their top bullpen arms for Game 5. While Freeman and catcher Will Smith each homered, it wasn’t enough, as the Dodgers fell 11-4.

Freddie Freeman’s power has been a driving force for Los Angeles this series, as he has homered in every World Series game so far. This consistency has positioned Freeman as the favorite for the MVP Award if the Dodgers can secure one more win. 

Freeman, who bats third in the order, has been a steady force at the plate with a .250 batting average in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani, playing through a minor shoulder injury, contributed a hit from the leadoff spot in Game 4 but did not drive in any runs. Batting second, Mookie Betts also went 1-for-4, scoring a run on Freeman’s first-inning home run.

Will Smith, hitting eighth, recorded his third postseason home run, while Tommy Edman rounded out the lineup.

Jack Flaherty will start Game 5 for the Dodgers, looking to replicate his Game 1 performance. In that game, he allowed two earned runs over 5.1 innings, including a home run by Giancarlo Stanton, helping the Dodgers secure a 6-3 victory. Flaherty has made four postseason starts this year, with the Dodgers going 2-2 in those games. He currently holds a 6.10 ERA in the playoffs, with 14 strikeouts to eight walks and four home runs allowed.

Yankees Hope to Extend the Series

The Yankees kept their World Series hopes alive with a dominant Game 4 win, fueled by three home runs from unexpected contributors. Anthony Volpe delivered the game’s defining moment with a third-inning grand slam, giving New York a 5-2 lead that they held onto for the remainder of the game. 

Gleyber Torres added a three-run homer in the eighth to extend the lead to 10-4, followed by an RBI single from Aaron Judge to bring the Yankees to 11 runs. Judge, who has yet to homer in this series, remains a point of frustration for fans, given his league-leading 58 home runs and 144 RBIs in the regular season.

Manager Aaron Boone described the Game 4 atmosphere as electric, particularly when Volpe hit his grand slam, noting that it was “fun to see Yankee Stadium erupt.” Volpe, hitting from the seventh spot, went 2-for-3 with four RBIs. 

Judge, still looking to break out in this series, has been quiet, going just 1-for-9 across the first three games, despite finishing as MLB’s top power hitter during the regular season.

The Yankees will counter with Gerrit Cole, their Game 1 starter, for this pivotal matchup. In that game, Cole pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run. However, the Yankees’ bullpen faltered late, leading to a loss. 

Cole has been the Yankees’ most reliable pitcher this postseason, with a 2.82 ERA across four starts and 16 strikeouts against six walks, surrendering only one home run. Given the high stakes, expect Boone to leave Cole on the mound longer if he’s effective.

Prediction

The Dodgers are in a strong position to close out the series in Game 5, with manager Dave Roberts saving their best bullpen arms in Game 4 to be fresh for this matchup. Roberts confirmed that they prioritized having their top relievers ready for Game 5, stating, “Certainly, any guy we use tonight would not have been able to pitch tomorrow.” 

Flaherty, despite some inconsistencies, had a solid outing in Game 1 and posted a 3.17 ERA during the regular season, making him a reliable starter with their best relievers available for backup.

While the Yankees found a spark in Game 4, they can’t rely on Volpe, Torres, and Wells for consistent power. Their usual stars, including Judge, have yet to make a significant impact in the series, which puts added pressure on New York’s offense. Freeman’s power streak, Ohtani’s recovery, and a fresh bullpen put Los Angeles in a position to end the series.

Prediction: Dodgers +125