If a screenwriter may script the 2024 World Collection to make sure final drama, each draft they’d produce would come with the New York Yankees. Every staff within the Nationwide League Championship Collection presents a particularly intriguing World Collection matchup with the Bombers.
Padres vs. Yankees: A story of two trades
If the San Diego Padres and Yankees meet within the World Collection, the conflict can be a lot greater than a redo of the 1998 Fall Traditional. The primary storyline on this assembly can be a battle to find out which squad gained the Juan Soto commerce.
Earlier than the 2024 season, the groups labored out a commerce that despatched Soto and Trent Grisham to New York in trade for Michael King, Kyle Higashioka and a handful of pitching prospects.
To date, the commerce has benefited each side. Soto hit .288/.419/.569, blasted 41 homers and drove in 109 runs to play an unimaginable Robin to Aaron Decide’s Batman in the course of the common season. In the meantime, King blossomed in San Diego, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA. Higashioka additionally leveled up, hitting a career-high 17 lengthy balls in simply 246 at-bats.
Each King and Higgy have been instrumental within the Padres’ sweep of their wild-card sequence in opposition to the Atlanta Braves. King dominated in Sport 1, putting out 12 in seven shutout innings. Higashioka homered in each video games.
A conflict between the not too long ago swapped gamers to win all of it can be must-see TV. And at this level, it’s completely doable.
Dodgers vs. Yankees: MVP showdown
In a simply world, the 2024 AL and NL MVP races would have unanimous winners: Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and Yankees juggernaut Aaron Decide. In an ideal world, the 2 faces of MLB would meet within the World Collection for a blockbuster final-act showdown.
If Ohtani have been nonetheless within the AL, the MVP can be a toss-up. Decide posted a monster 1.159 OPS with 58 dingers and 144 RBI. Ohtani’s 1.036 OPS was properly behind Decide’s output, however the Japanese slugger’s 54 homers and 59 stolen bases made him the primary 50-50 man in historical past.
The Dodgers and the Yankees have the 2 finest data in MLB this 12 months. So, on paper, there’s a very good likelihood followers get to see one of the vital charming World Collection matchups of all time.
Mets vs. Yankees: Subway Collection 2.0
The New York Mets knocked off the Milwaukee Brewers in dramatic style of their wild-card sequence. Maybe, the OMG Mets have the magic essential to get all the best way to the World Collection this 12 months. And if their cross-town rivals are there ready for them, the story writes itself.
A rerun of the 2000 Subway Collection can be attention-grabbing by itself. Combine in the truth that the Amazins would probably begin failed Yankees pitcher Luis Severino in a minimum of one World Collection recreation, and the narrative will get even spicier.
Phillies vs. Yankees: Excellent symmetry
Ought to the Philadelphia Phillies take the NL pennant, a possible World Collection tilt in opposition to the Yankees would create a tremendous little bit of symmetry. The final time New York gained a championship, it did so on the expense of the Phillies in 2009, helped by steroid-saturated Alex Rodriguez.
If New York ends its prolonged title drought in opposition to Philadelphia, it’ll have exorcised the curse of A-Rod. But when Philly wins, the curse can be very a lot confirmed.
MLB brass have to be on their faces earlier than the baseball gods, begging for the Yankees to get by the AL postseason discipline. Sorry, Midwest, however the Tigers, Guardians, and Royals simply gained’t get the rankings New York will, no matter NL foe.