World Series

As a diehard Yankee fan -- Michael Rapaport has a message for Red Sox nation before Game 1 of the World Series ... "KISS MY ASS!"

Here's why ...

"Listen, I grew up a Yankee fan hating the Dodgers, hating Rick Monday, hating Steve Garvey and his butt nose. That being said, I can not stand the Boston Red Sox. I want the Dodgers to kick their ass."

"I can't stand Big Papi, Pedro Martinez, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice -- they can all kiss my ass," Mike added.

So, in conclusion ... Rap says he's "rocking with the Dodgers and Magic Johnson 150 percent."

One last shot -- "They should knock down Fenway Park and rebuild it!"

The LAPD has reached out to several L.A. Dodgers stars -- including Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner and Clayton Kershaw -- to make sure their homes are protected during the World Series ... unlike last year.

Remember, Puig's home was hit by burglars during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series -- and cops have said the suspects specifically targeted the place because they knew he'd be at Dodger Stadium at the time.

L.A. Rams wide receiver Robert Woods was also hit by burglars during a Rams game this year -- cops believe the suspects are the same crew of burglars that hit Puig.

Even though cops made multiple arrests, they still believe some of the suspects are on the loose, and they're concerned about copycats and other crime crews. Bottom line -- they don't want to take any chances this time around.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... LAPD officials have reached out to MLB security, agents for the players, personal assistants and other personnel in the hopes of protecting the homes of Dodgers players and staffers.

We're told cops are working with the players to make sure home security systems are up to snuff and, in some cases, additional security personnel are watching their houses.

And, cops will continue to make extra patrols in the neighborhoods where the players live.

Thomas John -- the famous psychic who correctly predicted the World Series teams back in July -- is taking his gift one step further ... predicting the WINNER. And, it's bad news for L.A. fans.

Remember, when John made his prediction back in July, the Dodgers were in 3rd place in the NL West behind the Diamondbacks and the Rockies. It was a tight race and the Dodgers were definitely not a lock for the playoffs at the time.

But, he assured us the Dodgers and Red Sox would make the Series -- and he was right.

So, when we saw the "Seatbelt Psychic" star at Avra in Bev Hills Monday we asked for his World Series winner prediction and he came through with the answer from beyond!

We also mined for info about the Super Bowl -- and that's when John had even MORE good news for Boston fans.

Tom Brady says when the Red Sox beat L.A. in the World Series ... it'll be doubly sweet for him -- 'cause the Patriots legend says he freakin' LOATHES the Dodgers!!!

Tom made the revelation Monday on the "Kirk & Callahan" show on WEEI ... saying, because he grew up a Giants fan in the Bay Area -- he's always hated the Dodgers.

In fact ... when Brady was asked which L.A. player he disliked the most -- the QB said the list is MASSIVE!!

"There was a lot of them, oh my God."

But ... Tom admits Fernando Valenzuela was Brady Enemy No. 1.

As for this World Series ... doesn't seem to be much doubt in Tom's mind that Boston will be celebrating once the final out is recorded.

"It couldn't set up any better for the Red Sox to win the World Series and I think they're going to do it."

Conor McGregor's already puttin' that UFC 229 money to good use ... 'cause he just surprised 10 Boston firefighters with World Series tickets!!

We're told McGregor wanted to do something special to show his appreciation for the firefighters ... so he plunked down a good chunk of change for 10 tickets to W.S. Game 1.

Remember, Conor says he made around $50 million from the Khabib fight -- and around $100 mil for the Mayweather fight -- so it's nice to see him spreading the wealth around.

McGregor personally delivered the goods to the Back Bay Fire Station ... where he spent time takin' pics and choppin' it up.

As if gettin' to watch their beloved Sox play for a ring at Fenway wasn't enough ... Conor also hooked the first responders up with his super hard to get Proper No. Twelve whiskey.

Before The Notorious split ... they cracked open some Proper No. Twelve and toasted to the Sox winning a title.

BTW -- Proper No. Twelve tells us they're donating $5 to first responders for every case of whiskey they sell ... up to $1 million a year.

Wicked awesome!!

How does the Dodgers' best hitter celebrate a massive playoff win???

Hit up one of the most expensive restaurants in town, baby!!!

TMZ Sports got Manny Machado leaving a fancy steak dinner at Mastro's in Bev Hills ... just hours after he helped L.A. take down the Brewers, 5-2.

Manny was livin' it up ... posing for pics, signing a few autographs and looking stoked to be heading back to Milwaukee, needing just one win to advance to the World Series.

As for the drama Machado's been entangled in throughout the series ... we asked if the beanball he took Wednesday will end the drama. His response, "I don't know."

If the Yankees can't win, Giancarlo Stanton doesn't want ANYONE to win -- joking with TMZ Sports that when it comes to the World Series he's "rooting for a draw."

Obviously, he was just kidding -- and told us the most important thing is for the World Series to be competitive.

Now that the Yanks are out of the playoffs, Stanton has returned to Hollywood where he spent his Wednesday night hanging at Warwick nightclub.

Stanton did everything right on his way out of the club -- taking pics with fans and signing photos.

And the best part ... after the club, he got into a waiting ride where a sober driver took him home.

This is great -- David Ortiz with some real emotion when he learned his beloved Red Sox lost to the Astros on Saturday night.

"AH, F**K!"

So, why didn't he know the score himself?

Big Papi missed Game 1 of the ALCS to hit up the Drake show at Staples Center instead.

Big Papi swears he was still watching the Sox during the concert ... but clearly not long enough to see the final score -- 'cause he was PISSED when we told him it was 7-2 'Stros.

Good news for D.O. ... the Sox bounced back to win Game 2 on Sunday -- and we're pretty sure he didn't miss that one.

He predicted the Dodgers would make the playoffs ... now Eric Karros is breaking out the crystal ball yet again for a World Series prediction -- and Red Sox fans ain't gonna like this.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Dodgers legend/prophet about the final 4 teams in the MLB playoffs ... and he's expecting a rematch of last year's Fall Classic between the Dodgers and Houston Astros.

Not only is he predicting L.A. to make it, but he also says they have a serious shot at winning it all. He's also biased as all get-out.

Oh, and to the people predicting Clayton Kershaw will choke in the post-season -- KARROS SAYS YOU'RE WRONG!!

Again -- biased -- but Karros says the Dodgers' ace will go down as one of the best pitchers ever.

Legendary sportscaster Ernie Johnson has just announced he will NOT be covering the MLB playoffs for TBS ... after doctors diagnosed him with blood clots in both of his legs.

The 62-year-old says he was undergoing a routine physical when doctors found the clots -- which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

The danger with blood clots ... they can break off and enter the blood stream and, in some cases, can cause a pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of an artery in the lungs.

Johnson says he understands the situation -- and he's treating it aggressively with blood thinners and compression socks.

Flying in planes can be dangerous when diagnosed with clots -- and since Johnson would be taking a bunch of flights in a relatively short time period, his medical team advised him it wasn't worth the risk.

"The best course of action is to just stay grounded at this point, not fly," EJ said ... "blood clots are nothing to be messed with."

While recovering and treating the clots, Johnson says he'll be preparing to cover the NBA when the season kicks off in just a few weeks.

Get your betting slips ready ... 'cause Thomas John has had a premonition -- and it's about to make the Red Sox, Dodgers and degenerates VERY happy.

We got the "Seatbelt Psychic" star at Craig's and asked him for anything that could possibly make us money.

That's when he revealed those from the afterlife (or the clouds or the tea leaves or wherever) are telling him to BET ON L.A. AND BOSTON TO MAKE THE WORLD SERIES!!

"I feel Red Sox and Dodgers in there," Thomas says.

There's more ... John also tells us the spirits are sending him a lot of "good energy" when it comes to Johnny Manziel.

International soccer star Jesse Lingard is feeling himself so much after Team England's epic World Cup run -- he's now partying in nightclubs WITH A CROWN ON HIS HEAD!!!

The 25-year-old stud -- who scored a goal in England's 6-1 thrashing over Panama -- hit up Mokai Lounge nightclub in Miami with a royal headpice and a jacket that said, "The King."

FEEEEELIN' HIMSELF!

On top of that, dude had a royal procession of bottle ladies bringing him drinks with sparklers -- as the DJ announced his presence ... "Jesse f**king Lingard!"

Lingard's been on a tear ever since England locked up 4th place in the World Cup -- partying in Hollywood with Paul Pogba before jumping on a private jet bound for Florida.

Imagine having a fantasy baseball draft party with all your bros ... and then the pizza delivery guy turns out to be a World Series champ!!

That's exactly what happened when Chicago Cubs superstar Kris Bryant surprised 3 different groups of guys the other day, going undercover as the owner and operator of Kristio's Pizza & Wings!!

FYI -- this is the 3rd year Kris has teamed up with Red Bull to prank unsuspecting fans. This time around, Kris talked himself up as each group held their draft, waiting for his name to be called.

Angels star Shohei Ohtani could be leading a baseball revolution -- so says MLB postseason legend David Eckstein.

We spoke to the '06 World Series MVP after he paid a visit to Halos spring training ... and he told us Ohtani -- the team's huge offseason signing who can pitch, play outfield and DH -- is the real deal.

But the more interesting takeaway -- Eckstein told us Ohtani's just the beginning of a new wave of super-athletes who can play both ways!!

"If you start looking at more of the lower levels, and especially now going into college, you see that's where the game's going. And he might be the first," Eckstein said.

Eck knows all about trailblazing -- the 5'6'' shortstop paved the way for Jose Altuve and all the other small ballers of today!

The Dodgers are a lock to make back-to-back World Series trips, right??

Not so fast, says stud closer Kenley Jansen -- who told TMZ Sports a repeat trip to the Fall Classic is far from guaranteed even if the Boys in Blue bust their asses.

The Dodgers did just reunite with ex-superstar Matt Kemp, who was out with Kenley at Thursday night's Lakers game ... and you can bet they ain't done makin' moves.

But, whether or not they repeat as NL champs, one thing's clear -- the fans FREAKIN' LOVE 'EM.

It's Take 2 on one of the best sports questions ever ...

Which is better -- winning the World Series or honeymooning with Kate Upton??

We got to ask the one guy who would know the answer -- Justin Verlander -- as the Houston Astros pitcher was leaving Craig's Tuesday night with his supermodel bride.

Verlander successfully dodged the question when it was posed on Twitter a few days ago -- even after Kate doubled down and asked Verlander to give an answer!!

So, what happened this time around? Well, let's just say he'd rather talk about Jose Altuve ...