The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to meet up in the 2018 World Series. Games one and two will be in Boston after the Red Sox posted the best regular season record this year. Game one will feature a dominant pitching matchup with Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw taking the mound for their respective teams.
Boston reached the World Series after eliminating the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series. The Red Sox got past their arch rival the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers got past the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, and won a thrilling game seven over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. The Boston Red Sox are -140 over the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Sale Back on Mound For Boston
The Boston Red Sox will have Chris Sale back on the mound for game one of the World Series. Sale suffered through a stomach illness during the ALCS and was not available after game one. Sale has made three appearances in the 2018 MLB playoffs and has posted a 3.48 earned run average through 10 ⅓ innings pitched. He struck out 237 batters through 158 innings during the regular season.
J.D. Martinez and Jackie Bradley Jr. have carried the Boston offense in these playoffs. Both Martinez and Bradley Jr. have belted two home runs and drove in nine runs so far in the postseason. Outfielder Mookie Betts is hitting just .205 this month after leading the American League in batting average during the regular season.
Machado Leading Dodgers Offense
Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado is giving the team what they hoped for when they brought him to Los Angeles. Machado has blasted three home runs and driven in nine runs so far this postseason. The Dodgers are hitting just .218 this postseason, but have posted a .324 on base percentage so far this month. Los Angeles has drawn 50 walks so far this postseason, with Max Muncy earning ten free passes.
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has made four appearances this postseason and has pitched well for the team. Kershaw has posted a 2.37 earned run average through 19 innings pitched this month. The left hander gave up just one run in eight innings pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
Boston Wins Game One
Both the Red Sox and Dodgers feature talented lineups, but pitching should rule the day in game one of the World Series. Kershaw has been terrific for the Dodgers in this postseason, and he should have success against the Boston lineup.
Chris Sale should be well rested after just pitching game one of the ALCS, and he has been dominant at Fenway Park. Look for the Red Sox offense to find just enough scoring to back Sale and give the Red Sox a game one victory. Bet the Boston Red Sox -140 over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.
