Ranking the top 10 World Series MVP contenders 

The highly anticipated World Series clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees begins on Friday at 8:08 p.m. ET.

In a matchup featuring MVPs, multi-time All-Stars and a Cy Young Award winner, the race for World Series MVP will not only be thrilling, but also tightly contested. With that in mind, here’s a power ranking of the 10 players most likely to earn the award.

1. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers 

The best player in baseball has lived up to expectations during the first postseason run of his career, producing a slash line of .286/.434/.500 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Ohtani has been otherworldly with runners in scoring position, going 18 for his last 22 at the plate in such situations (.818 average). If he continues to thrive at this level, Los Angeles could cruise to another title. 

2. Outfielder Juan Soto, Yankees 

The four-time All-Star who belted a 10th-inning, three-run, go-ahead homer in New York’s 5-2 ALCS-clinching win over the Cleveland Guardians is already a proven World Series performer. In 2019, a then-21-year-old Soto hit .333 with three home runs and seven RBI against Houston to win Washington its first title. The baseball world should expect him to shine again during his second trip to the Fall Classic. 

3. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees

Stanton, the ALCS MVP, has been on a tear in October, establishing himself as a postseason hero for New York and batting .294 with five home runs and 11 RBI over nine games. The 34-year-old is one of the most prolific playoff power hitters in recent memory as he’s averaging the fewest at-bats per home run in postseason history (8.13), just ahead of Hall of Famer Babe Ruth. 

4. Outfielder Mookie Betts, Dodgers

After posting a dreadful .080 batting average with two hits and an RBI across the Dodgers’ last two postseason runs, Betts has turned his playoff struggles around this October, hitting .295 with four homers and 12 RBI. Betts has had plenty of success against New York dating back to his Red Sox tenure, though he hasn’t been particularly productive at Yankee Stadium, batting .246 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 48 games. 

5. Outfielder Aaron Judge, Yankees 

The soon-to-be two-time AL MVP can change the narrative surrounding his postseason struggles for good against the Dodgers. That will be one of the top storylines to monitor during the World Series. Although Judge is only batting .161 with two home runs and six RBI during New York’s current run, he has dominated Los Angeles throughout his career, hitting eight homers in 10 games while posting a .389 batting average. 

6. Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

Hernandez earned an All-Star nod during his debut season with the Dodgers, but struggled mightily in the NLCS, going 2-for-22 at the plate with one RBI and nine strikeouts. Even so, considering he’ll be batting third or cleanup against the Yankees, Hernandez should see plenty of RBI opportunities. And if he cashes in, he’ll have a realistic chance to earn World Series MVP honors. 

7. Right-hander Gerrit Cole, Yankees 

New York’s Game 1 starter and the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner has been inconsistent in October, posting a 3.31 ERA with 12 strikeouts and six walks across 16.1 innings. That’s come following a lackluster, injury-shortened regular season. Nevertheless, Cole will likely start two games in the World Series and if he shuts down the star-studded Dodgers lineup to help lead the Yankees to victory, he’ll have a strong MVP case. 

8. Utilityman Tommy Edman, Dodgers 

Edman proved to be the most impactful addition from the trade deadline, becoming the 12th midseason acquisition to be named a postseason MVP after hitting .407 with a homer and 11 RBI against the Mets in the NLCS. Los Angeles’ last two World Series MVPs, Orel Hershiser (1988) and Corey Seager (2020), were named NLCS MVPs in the same seasons, so Edman might not be such a long shot for the award as some may think.

9. Second baseman Gleyber Torres, Yankees 

Torres had a turbulent start to his contract season, which included being dropped from the leadoff spot and benched on multiple occasions. He ultimately turned the corner in September, posting a .859 OPS. The two-time All-Star hasn’t slowed down in the postseason, emerging as an unsung hero behind New York’s success, slashing .297/.400/.432 with one homer, five RBI and seven walks in nine games. 

10. Utilityman Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers

An above-average regular-season performer, Hernandez — who consistently finds a way to deliver in the clutch — is one of the biggest and most unlikely playoff risers in postseason history. Hernandez is tied with Ruth, Judge and Jayson Werth for 19th on the all-time postseason home run leaderboard (15), and it wouldn’t be surprising if he added to his total in this series.