Readers respond to Question of the Week: Which team will win the World Series?

Dodgers for the win

I am an octogenarian, having spent my entire life here in the Los Angeles area. As such, my response is influenced by growing up as a fan of the Hollywood Stars baseball team and Los Angeles Angels of the old Pacific Coast League during the late 1940s and early 1950s. When the Dodgers moved from N.Y. to L.A. in 1958, I remember being ecstatic that we would be home to a Major League Baseball team, but was somewhat saddened that we were losing the hometown rivalry between the Stars and the Angels. However, looking north to the transplanted S.F. Giants, I realized that an even more heated rivalry was on the horizon. Continued coast-to-coast expansion resulted in the birth of the MLB Los Angeles Angels in 1961. The separation of the American and National leagues prevented a true head-to-head rivalry so most of us became avid fans of one while a secondary fan of the other. To answer your original question: I forecast the World Series to the Dodgers in six games. Otani with three HRs, one a walk-off.

— Tom Fitzgerald, Downey

MLB rule improvements

Of course I’m a Dodger fan and of course the outcome of this World Series is clouded by the vicissitudes of any sporting event. Given the latitude of this week’s question, I would like to comment on the rule changes this year that have increased the pace of the game. Baseball is now less tedious. Like the 24-second clock of the NBA or the running time of the NFL, things have to be kept moving to hold a viewer’s interest. The endless tosses to first base and heel-dragging by pitchers made me want to fast forward to the next big play. America’s game has gotten more exciting through innovation.

— Robert Snyder, Laguna Hills

The Dodgers and Yanks

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking like very strong contenders for the World Series title. While the Yankees have a great team and could win, the Dodgers lineup is incredibly impressive, as they blend seasoned veterans with young talent, giving them a powerful offense.

I believe the Dodgers are in a good position to navigate challenges and win the series. If they can keep their focus and execute their game plan they will likely win the World Series.

— Yaretzi Gil, Montclair