The Dodgers and Astros squared off in the 2017 World Series with Houston coming out on top. Oddsmakers like their chances of facing off again seven years later as a Los Angeles-Houston World Series has the highest odds as spring training gets underway at +1100 according to FanDuel.
The two teams had different approaches this offseason, but it was a transformative winter for each franchise.
The Dodgers spent a whopping $1.2 billion dollars this offseason, adding to what was already one of the strongest rosters in the league. Shohei Ohtani was of course the big fish, signing the most lucrative contract in history. He joins arguably the most lethal lineup in the league. Fangraphs projects Ohtani will bat third behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, and in front of Will Smith and Max Muncy. The Dodgers also signed outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who has hit at least 20 home runs in five straight seasons not counting the shortened 2020 Covid campaign.
Los Angeles also added prized pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, traded for Tyler Glasnow and signed James Paxton to bolster the rotation. The team will also get Walker Buehler back from Tommy John surgery while young phenom Bobby Miller is expected to play a big role in 2024. The Dodgers also re-signed future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw on the eve of spring training, but there’s no timetable on his return as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, the Astros enter 2024 with a new manager in place as Joe Espada takes over for the retired Dusty Baker. Espada has been Houston’s bench coach in 2018 , and was a hot name during hiring cycles over the past few offseasons.
Houston’s biggest move was adding closer Josh Hader, who’s arguably the best in the business. He replaces Ryan Pressley, who’ll automatically become one of the best set-up men in the league.
The Astros’ other big move was re-signing perennial All Star Jose Altuve before he hit free agency next year. He’s projected to lead off Houston’s murderers row lineup ahead of Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Jose Abreu and Kyle Tucker. Meanwhile, the Astros return all five starters from a year ago in Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and Jose Urquidy.
Either the Dodgers or Astros are part of five of the six highest-odds World Series showdowns. A Dodgers-Yankees matchup is second at +1200, Braves-Astros third at +1500, and Dodgers-Orioles and Dodgers-Rangers tied for fifth at +1700. A Braves-Yankees World Series in fourth at +1600.
