Yankees 'a little bit luckier' than Dodgers in getting to 2024 World Series, according to former MLB catcher

For the first time since 2009, the New York Yankees will be in the World Series. It's been a rough patch for the club since winning their last title, however, thanks to a star-studded roster that features the likes of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Gerrit Cole, the Bronx Bombers could find themselves adding another championship to their impressive trophy case.

Despite the loaded cast of characters and run to the World Series, not everyone is convinced that the New York Yankees have really had to prove themselves and overcome as many obstacles this season compared to the LA Dodgers.

Former catcher Chris Gimenez spoke on Tuesday on MLB Network Radio, sharing the thought that the Dodgers overcame a few more road blocks this year compared to the Bronx Bombers. One of the these areas has been overall team health, something that has probably benefitted New York compared to Los Angeles this season.

"One team has been a little bit luckier in regards to maybe not having key impact injuries for as long a time," Gimenez said of the Yankees' ability to avoid major injuires to top stars.

Gimenez acknowledged that the Yankees were without reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole for an extended period to open the year. That being said, the LA Dodgers have been without several key stars as well at times this season, including former MVP Mookie Betts.

"Dodgers lost Mookie Betts, the Dodgers don't have Ohtani pitching. We can make arguments for both sides of this but I think it's going to be a lot of fun to watch these two big payroll teams, these guys are behemoths in this and they have stars up and down their lineups," Gimenez continued.

Although the Dodgers have been bitten by the injury bug all season, particularily when it comes to their pitching staff. Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone are just a few pitchers who have been ruled out for the rest of the season with various ailments.

Despite their injuries, the Dodgers will hold home field advantage over the Yankees in the World Series

While remaining healthy could boil down to pure luck, the LA Dodgers (98-64) overcame their injury-riddled squad to finish the year with a better win-loss record than the Yankees (94-68). As a result, the Dodgers will potentially be able to play four games at home (1, 2 and 6, 7 if necessary) while their opponents are slated to only host three (3, 4, and 5 if necessary).

Home field advantage might not be a major factor in some sports, however, in MLB, it will not only help the Dodgers have the majority of the crowd of their side, but also given them last bats more often than not.

From 2003 to 2016, the All-Star Game result decided which league enjoyed home-field advantage in the World Series.

The current format started in 2017, with the regular-season record deciding the advantage (except for the 2020 edition, played on a neutral site).

The team with the best regular-season record among the league champions will have home-field advantage in the World Series regardless if it won its division or not.