Kaufee's 2024 World Series Thread

Yo - I'm not sure where the season went, but the World Series is here. 4-7 more games is all we get, let's pad our pockets one last time.

In this thread, I'll be sharing World Series picks, analysis, and comments for all games. We've already discussed these teams in depth throughout the playoffs, so the analysis (write-ups) will likely be brief. 

We know both bring elite offenses. You'll find each near the top of the rankings in wRC+, AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, ISO and any other meaningful metric. Unless you're splitting hairs, the splits are really close as well. Both are in the top 10 (mostly top 5) vs right-handed, vs left-handed, at home, away, pre-all star, post all-star, etc. Bottom-line, each offense is built around outstanding players with power. The Dodgers show a little more patience and versatility, while the Yankees rely more on pure slugging.

Both bullpens are also very good:

While the Dodgers rank slightly higher across the board, it's not a huge gap. They each bring high K rates, good ERA and WHIP, are excellent at keeping the ball on the ground, and show solid advanced metrics.

It should be a great series - with starting pitching, management, and intangibles being the difference. Tough to cap, yes. Beatable, I think so. Let's do it.

I'll be back in the near future with comments and a pick for game 1.

Let’s finish the season strong 

LFG bro 

Great write up KAUFEE

Hope we get a great WS sir 

Good luck sir! Should be an excellent series and I hope we get seven games. We deserve it, right?! Excellent points. I do like the Yankees starting rotation, manager(albeit small), but the intangibles and best player go with the Dodgers. Hopefully Freddie can get healthy as that might be the deciding factor, how well he plays. Do we get another Game 6 walk-off all Kurt Gibson?! I’ve been thinking about that ever since I started watching him limp in the post season. Have enjoyed your posts all year! 

Go Kaufee! 

Nice year you had, congrats.

GL on Series, did not think Dodgers would get there with the pitching issues but maybe pitching not mandatory now to win WS. TV has to be happy with match up.

Dodgers have the better Hitters, Relief Pitching, and maybe a push on starting pitching.  Having said that, It's amazing to think that the Dodgers have been able to put together a credible starting rotation with a complete starting rotation on the DL throughout most/all of the season !!   (Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow).    And youngsters Gavin Stone, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan all went down with season-ending injuries, too !!  

A couple of big wild cards are;

1).  The health of Freedie Freeman , even though a couple of days ago he said he feels it is 100% and expects to be in the starting line up Game #1.  But this ankle injury can be a nagging injury that can resurface itself. 

2)   Will Dave Roberts go with a "bullpen session" in Game 4, or opt to go with Flaherty on 4 days of rest ? 

Dodgers win 4 Games to 2

GL buddy! I have a future on LA but should be good. 

@lik122 - Let's get it Lik

@King-Muaj - Thank you King-Muaj

@KingDavos - I think we will, KingDavos

@kidd22 - Appreciate it, Kidd

@NONEED4LUCK - Thanks Noneed! Yes, gotta give the rotation edge to NY. I imagine LA is going to have to throw at least one bullpen game. Boone and Roberts in a chess match for sure

@JEG53 - Appreciate it, Jeg. I hear ya on that. Somehow the Dodgers have found ways to work around their rotation ailments all year. I suppose their lineup has something to do with that. Cheers bud

@Rush51 - I believe Flaherty has a history of performing poorly on short rest. Perhaps, it depends on how much he uses them in games 1-3, but I think if possible, Roberts will roll with the bullpen in game 4

@Fuse - Thanks Fuse! It should be real good. BOL to you as well my friend

Always sad when the series is about to start - it means that the season is about to end. It's like the first few days of a two week Caribbean vacation vs the last one or two before you are about to fly home. But if the season is about to end, I'm glad to see such a stellar matchup, and this series does not disappoint. 

Very close on paper but LAD having a bit more finesse and NYY the swinging sluggers. My approach is to enjoy it, and bet the series as a whole and then a little on individual games if the spot is right.

@Kaufee Looking forward to your continued insight and hope you post a series lean or even a play. BOL to all

BOL. Always look forward to your insight on the game and write ups. Appreciate you sharing your plays.

@Kaufee

I hear ya Barney. The Caribbean vacation is a great analogy

Full transparency - I did not bet the series. I think it's really close, and both teams can find ways to win. Gun to my head though, I have to lean Dodgers. Even with the injuries to the rotation, they're the more complete team. Keep in mind that the best team didn't win last year. In fact, the two best teams were not in the 2023 World Series at all. It's a flawed system in that regard. Although, I do believe that this year the two best are representing and I have LA at the top. That's my series lean.

Cheers Barney and BOL

@oldtimehockey - Thank you, Oldtime! Much appreciated buddy. BOL to you as well

I have the Dodgers winning the WS (-130) and in 7 games(+125),but i took the Yanks in game 1(+118) because of Cole and Flaherty's velocity is down. I think Cole gets 2 games from the Dodgers so i'll take him in game 4 or 5 no matter the odds. I'll take the Dodgers in game 2 no matter the odds also. GL everyone.  

@collectNOW - I respect that man. I don't blame anyone for backing Cole and the Yankees. However, one of the reasons I lean LA in the series is because I lean LA in game 1. Bol either way collectnow  

Game 1:

I was a bit surprised to see Flaherty get the nod over Yamamoto for game 1. In his three post season starts, he's only delivered one standout performance, which was game 1 of the NLCS. He pitched 7 innings, allowing just 2 hits, 2 walks, and 0 earned runs, while striking out 6. Maybe game 1's are his thing? Because his other 2 starts were underwhelming, with game 5 against the Mets being one of his worst ever. The positive news for Flaherty is, over his career, he's shown an ability to bounce back after poor outings. He's been good at making adjustments and mentally resetting.

I was not surprised to see Gerrit Cole get the start for NY. Although, much like Flaherty, Cole has only looked sharp in one post season game. He threw 7 innings of 1 run ball, giving up 6 hits, 0 walks, and striking out 4. Across his other two less impressive starts (9.1 innings combined), he gave up 13 hits, 6 walks and 6 runs. This was against weak hitting teams as well, KC and Cleveland. The Dodgers' lineup is on another level and presents an interesting challenge - while half of them lack experience against Cole, a third of the lineup has handled him quite well:

Mookie Betts  (17 ABs): 412 AVG/471 OBP/471 SLG/915 OPS

Freddie Freeman (20 ABs): 350 AVG/409 OBP/650 SLG/1.059 OPS

person Hernandez (21 ABs): 381 AVG/480 OBP/667 SLG/1.147 OPS

On the flip side, New York doesn't have much experience facing Flaherty. Aside from Anthony Rizzo, who has seen him many times, the rest of the starting lineup has only faced him a total of 19 ABs, producing just 3 hits.

Obviously, when fading Gerrit Cole and the Yankees, we do have to nitpick. However slight it might be, I have LA with the edge in this game.

Game 1 - I'm on the Dodgers at -118.

BOL to everyone. Have fun

@Kaufee

 LFG

@Kaufee

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@Kaufee

 Cole has only looked sharp in one post season game. He threw 7 innings of 1 run ball, giving up 6 hits, 0 walks, and striking out 4.

Thats what I saw, his only road start.  His wheelhouse this year.  GL 

I have to ask, who are the LAD southpaws in the bullpen??

Yanks have some legit bats on the other side of the plate

Vesia and Banda. Vesia being the stronger of the two but Banda has been reliable. 

@Kaufee

Thanks for the write up , picks and your work throughout the season, I believe we’re on the right side and should see a great series.

Good luck to all!