The addition of $700 million man Shohei Ohtani boosted the Dodgers to +550 favorites to win the 2024 World Series.

Since Los Angeles last won the title in 2020, this will be the fourth consecutive season it begins its campaign as favorites to take home hardware.

We knew that whoever did end up landing Ohtani would go the first year without him in the pitching rotation, which is an area GM Brandon Gomes still needs to address for 2024. 

Even though this offense looks unworldly, there’s something about teams showering the field with exorbitant amounts of cash that hasn’t panned out come October.

The Dodgers have made 11 straight MLB postseasons and have come up empty in 10 of them. So even if Gomes does sign an ace pitcher, I’m not holding my breath.

The NL alone is still full of playoff-weathered contenders that could once again oust the Dodgers in a fall series.

One club I expect to make a poised run is the Phillies, who will be running it back with virtually the same lineup that dismantled a Braves team that was seemingly invincible across every metric.

They ran out of gas in defending the NL pennant, but this was a team that ignited in the playoffs, catapulting from No. 10 in WRC+ to No. 1.

Bryce Harper has accomplished everything from major personal accolades to servicing mighty playoff runs since joining the Phillies five years ago. All that’s left is a World Series. 

Aaron Nola inked his seven-year deal to return as the No. 1 alongside playoff hero Zack Wheeler in one of the game’s most complete rotations.

It’s a well-rounded lineup laced with character, guts and experience. They keep knocking and something just might have to give down the stretch. 

THE PLAY: Phillies to win the World Series (+1100, BetMGM)