Tony Gonsolin vs. Max Fried
Seven months after the Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees finally get their shot at something somewhat close to revenge as they return to LA. This time, it’s Dodger Stadium, not October, but the atmosphere promises to be every bit as electric. For the first game, the odds are favoring the Yankees, and the stage is set for a marquee matchup between two of baseball’s best. What are your predictions?
The Yankees (35-20) are rolling into Los Angeles with plenty of juice, having won 16 of their last 20 games. Aaron Judge is once again the centerpiece, slugging his way through the season with a jaw-dropping .391 average, 18 homers, 47 RBIs, and a 1.227 OPS, all without Juan Soto hitting ahead of him. At 35-20 through 55 games, New York is right on pace with last year’s strong start and looks every bit the contender they weren’t always expected to be this year. The Dodgers (34-22) are leading NL West by two games, but haven’t looked the formidable team that their lineup suggests lately. 5-5 in their last ten games, the Dodgers split their previous series with the Guardians and lost to the New York Mets before that.
First-place vs. first-place. Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Judge. It’s time for arguably the most blockbuster clash in baseball today!
Friday’s series opener will feature Max Fried (7-0, 1.29 ERA) starting for the Yankees, while Tony Gonsolin (2-1, 4.68 ERA) goes for the Dodgers at 10:10 pm ET on Apple TV+.
Max Fried has been sensational in his first season with New York, boasting 67 strikeouts over 70 2/3 innings and anchoring a Yankees staff that leads MLB with 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. New York’s 3.26 team ERA ranks fifth in baseball, a sharp contrast to the Dodgers’ 4.09 mark, which places 21st.
Fried has logged 10 career starts against the Dodgers, compiling a 3.18 ERA overall and a 3.21 ERA at Dodger Stadium. But Los Angeles got to him last season, tagging him for seven runs across 13 innings. The reigning champs know what they’re facing, and so does Fried.
Gonsolin, meanwhile, will be making his sixth start of the season. He owns a 1.80 ERA in a lone career start against the Yankees back in 2019.
ALSO READ: Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Return Makes Everything Bigger
The Yankees (88) and Dodgers (87) lead the Majors in home runs, and Los Angeles also tops the league with a .263 team batting average. Two historic franchises. Two MVP candidates. Two of the best teams in baseball. And maybe, just maybe, a postseason preview before summer even begins.
According to BetMGM, Yankees are favorites for the series opener against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
| Team | Spread | Total (8.5) | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | +1.5 (-155) | Under 9 (-120) | +115 |
| Yankees | -1.5 (+125) | Over 9 (+100) | -140 |
Both the Dodgers and Yankees bring elite firepower to the plate, making this a marquee matchup between two of baseball’s most potent offenses.
However, the edge tilts in New York’s favor largely due to the pitching situation. Max Fried has been in dominant form this season, making a strong case as one of the league’s top arms, and he could very well neutralize even the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup. Subsequently, the Yankees’ bullpen has been lights out, while the Dodgers’ pitching depth has taken a hit due to injuries. Outside of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, their rotation has been inconsistent at best. With both offenses capable of producing runs, the total leans over, but the real separator is the Yankees’ superior pitching staff, which should help them pull away late.
ALSO READ: Yankees Set to Have an Infield Logjam
Score prediction: Dodgers 3, Yankees 7
Total prediction: Over 9
Dodgers: ~41.7%
Yankees: ~58.3%
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