The 2024 World Series is set for a showdown between two of the heavyweights of the sport, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams know what to expect from each other and will bring the big bats, the high-powered arms and the highest paid players to the field. Without further ado, here are three players from each team who could hoist the World Series MVP.
New York Yankees
An obvious choice: Juan Soto
After blasting the series winning three run home run against the Guardians, Juan Soto is looking to carry this momentum into the fall classic. Soto is batting .333 this postseason with three homers and an OPS over 1.000 to boot. The superstar is no newcomer to the spotlight. Who could forget when he shuffled after a Justin Verlander ball and then took the future first ballot hall of famer deep in game six of the 2019 World Series? Soto batted .277 during that run with the Nationals, including his iconic double against the Brewers in the NL Wild Card game. With all of his experience in the postseason, along with being one of the best hitters in baseball, it would be no surprise to see Soto take home some hardware if the Yankees are victorious.
(Another possible nominee: Giancarlo Stanton stays hot)
A more obscure choice: Anthony Rizzo
You always need an old reliable veteran on your team come October. Looking back at Steve Pearce in 2018, Howie Kendrick in 2019 and Ben Zobrist with both the Royals and Cubs, these players can turn it up at the right time and even win MVP. This is why 2016 World Series champion Anthony Rizzo is a perfect choice for World Series MVP. Rizzo returned to the lineup for the ALCS after getting injured right before the playoffs. He had at least one hit in four of the five games, including two multi-hit games. Rizzo’s time in pinstripes has not been all that was imagined when they traded for him. If Rizzo can put the injuries and the troubles at the plate of the few previous seasons behind him, he can help lead this Yankees team to the top.
(Another possible nominee: Alex Verdugo delivers against his former team)
A wildcard: Luke Weaver
Who would have thought that Luke Weaver would be the closer for a pennant winning team after his previous two seasons. Weaver spent time on five teams during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, even making 21 starts for the Reds last year. Batters were having their way with Weaver, as he posted a 6.87 ERA with Cincinnati. Things changed when he arrived in New York. In 84 innings out of the bullpen this year, Weaver was as sharp as nails with a 2.89 ERA and a WHIP under one for the first time in his career. The righty took over the closer role in September and was four for four on save opportunities heading into postseason play. When the clock struck October, Weaver responded as well. Apart from his blown save on a game tying home run from Jhonkensy Noel, Weaver has converted on four of five save opportunities in the playoffs. Weaver has only allowed one walk through all seven of his appearances, while striking out 12 batters in that span. If Weaver can keep these numbers up and close out some crucial games for the Yankees, he can be the first pitcher to take home World Series MVP since Stephen Strasburg for the 2019 Nationals.
(Another possible nominee: Jazz Chisholm Jr. goes from Marlin to WS MVP)
Los Angeles Dodgers
An obvious choice: Shohei Ohtani
Although the runaway NL MVP has had some big moments this postseason, he has not exceeded the expectations that were perhaps set too high for his first playoffs. Nonetheless, the Japanese megastar has one last series to right the ship and earn MVP honors by leading the Dodgers to a championship. Ohtani is batting .286 with three homers and 10 RBI’s during his first go-around in October. He has not been a factor on the basepaths, however. After his historic 50 home run 50 stolen base season where he swiped 59 bags, Ohtani is 0-1 on steal attempts in October. The Yankees catchers Austin Wells and Luis Trevino are in the lower half of the league in throwing out would be base stealers according to StatCast. So, if Ohtani gets on, he could create chaos on the basepaths. Ohtani is already one of the greatest players in baseball history, a World Series MVP would solidify his legacy amongst the greats of the game.
(Another possible nominee: Mookie Betts continues to “have fun” in the Fall Classic)
A more obscure choice: Enrique Hernandez
The story has always been the same with Kiké Hernandez,: just get him to the playoffs. In 2024, he began a new chapter in his October heroics. Always the flare for the dramatic, Hernandez broke the tie in a scoreless game five of the NLDS with a solo shot off Yu Darvish. Hernandez also had an insurance bomb in the pivotal NLCS game three route of the Mets. Everyone remembers Hernandez’s historic 2021 playoff run with the Red Sox. He went nuclear, hitting .408 with five home runs and had games where he recorded four or five hits in a single game. If the 2020 World Series champion can dig deep and find some of that magic he had in Boston, he could become a two-time champ with an MVP to bout.
(Another possible nominee: Tommy Edman’s storybook October continues)
A wildcard: Andy Pages
Rookies have historically made their presence felt when the lights shine the brightest. Rookie Jeremy Pena took home WS MVP for the 2022 Astros. Andruw Jones’ name is all over the record books as he homered in his first two World Series at bats, all while being 19 years old. This is why 23-year-old Andy Pages’ case for World Series MVP is bigger than you might think. Cuban-born Pages announced his arrival in the playoffs with a two-homer game in the Dodgers game five loss against the Mets. The rookie had a league average season batting .248 with 13 longballs and sporting a WRC+ of 100 (exactly league average). No stats show that Pages is prone to breakout over the course of the next series, but rookies can get hot, and Pages name can be etched into baseball history forever.
(Another possible nominee: Jack Flaherty dazzles on the bump for his hometown team)