Even for a franchise that faces high expectations every season, 2024 is different.
The Los Angeles Dodgers face the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener on Thursday with perhaps the most fearsome top-of-the-batting order ever assembled with Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman.
Dodgers fans hope the addition of Ohtani, the reigning American League MVP, from the crosstown Angels will help them overcome a recent history that has seen The Boys and Blue cruise to National League West titles the past two seasons, only to fall short with early playoff exits.
On paper, Las Vegas thinks the Los Angeles Dodgers (+350) are the most likely team to win the World Series.
Betts and Freeman are beginning their third season together in L.A., and Ohtani joined the two stars when he agreed to a sports record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December. Ohtani won’t pitch this season while he recovers from major elbow surgery.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.