The World Series returns today, and I have a preview of Game 3 of the 2024 WS between the Dodgers and Yankees.
Despite a two-game deficit, the Yankees are -146 favorites for Game 3 at FanDuel, with the Dodgers +124 underdogs. Walker Buehler starts for L.A. vs Clarke Schmidt for New York.
Here's a preview and some of my top picks for World Series Game 3:
Yankees vs Dodgers Game 3 Odds
New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 28, 8:09 pm ET
| Team | Runline | Moneyline | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | -1.5 (+136) | -146 | O 8.5 (-115) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +1.5 (-164) | +124 | U 8.5 (-115) |
As of October 28th at FanDuel
Yankees vs Dodgers Pick - Game 3
Dodgers ML (+124)
I'm having a hard time grasping the Yankees as decisive favorites in Game 3. What are the books thinking? Is Schmidt that much better than Buehler? Does Yankee Stadium create a wild advantage? I think not.
I admittedly backed the Yankees before the Fall Classic began, but I'm getting the feeling the Dodgers are inevitable. Los Angeles hit 20 playoff homers before the World Series even started, and the Dodgers have kept it up, smacking four homers in the first two games. There are just so many guys in that lineup who can go deep or come up with a clutch hit.
The Yankees, meanwhile, are a two-man band. Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton are hot, but New York has too many "zeros" in their batting order right now. Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, Alex Verdugo, and, sadly, Aaron Judge have all been near-automatic outs during this series. And it doesn't really matter who is on the hill for the Dodgers; these Yanks hitters are slumping hard.
I think Buehler will surprise us in Game 3, and the Yankees order will remain ineffective.
Yankees vs Dodgers Game 3 Big News
Shohei Ohtani's Injury
The entire sports world gasped when Ohtani went down in Game 2, clutching his shoulder/elbow area after sliding into second base. Ohtani exited, gingerly holding his left arm, and was thankfully diagnosed with a shoulder subluxation: when the arm partially pops out of its socket. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts insisted Ohtani will be good to go for Game 3. Woohoo.
Still, I want to see how Ohtani looks. A shoulder mobility injury is no joke for any hitter, never mind a man as big and strong as Ohtani. He's just 1-for-8 this series, so I'm eager to see how Yanks pitchers attack him in Game 3.
Yankees vs Dodgers Player Prop Pick
Walker Buehler OVER 14.5 Total Outs (+104)
Buehler's given up a .721 OPS to active Yankees hitters, though Juan Soto's under .700 against him. Trent Grisham’s two homers inflate that stat, but he probably won’t be up against Buehler in Game 3.
Judge hasn’t faced Buehler before, which gives Buehler a bit of an edge. He’s also hit the OVER on 14.5 outs in two of his three playoff starts, so things are looking solid for him at Yankee Stadium on Monday.
Yankees vs Dodgers Betting Trends
- The total has gone OVER in 12 of LA Dodgers' last 14 games on the road.
- NY Yankees are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees' last 7 games when playing as the favorite.
- Tommy Edman has cashed the OVER 0.5 total bases in eight straight games.
