After the Boston Red Sox took Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, winning 8-4, the Los Angeles Dodgers will try to even up the series on Wednesday night. However, the Red Sox are -135 favorites to win Game 2 and take a 2-0 series lead back to Los Angeles.
If you were expecting a pitcher’s duel in Game 1 between Clayton Kershaw and Chris Sale, you were sadly disappointed at how the game played out. Both teams wasted little time going to work with their bats, as neither starter was able to get out of the 5th inning.
The difference is that the Red Sox did a better job of scoring against the opposing bullpen, bringing home the runners that Kershaw left on base when he exited and then getting the knockout punch in the form of a three-run home run from Eduardo Nunez. Meanwhile, the Boston bullpen pitched five innings while only allowing one run to secure the victory.
The Price is Right
David Price will get the start for the Red Sox in Game 2. Whatever issues Price had against the Yankees during the ALDS, he seemed to have worked them out during the ALCS. His last start, in particular, was perhaps the best he’s looked in a postseason game in a long time. Of course, Price still has troubling numbers in the playoffs, but the Red Sox are no doubt encouraged by what he showed in his last outing when he tossed six shutout innings.
The Dodgers are likely to stack their lineup with right-handed hitters against Price, much like they did against Sale in Game 1. Manny Machado offers perhaps the biggest threat to Price, as he has five home runs and one double in 41 career at-bats against the lefty. Matt Kemp is another hitter to watch closely. His at-bats have been few and far between during the playoffs, but with the DH in play, he figures to be in the Game 2 lineup after hitting a home run in Game 1, so he’s a bit of a wildcard for the Dodgers.
Bouncing Back
Hyun-Jin Ryu will get the start for the Dodgers in Game 2. The last time Ryu took the mound, he gave up five runs over three innings against the Brewers in Game 6 of the NLCS. It was a shocking performance given how dominant Ryu had been the second half of the season. In general, Ryu has been less effective this season on the road than at home, which makes it all the more surprising that the Dodgers didn’t shuffle their rotation so Ryu could pitch at home.
Regardless of the location, the Red Sox lineup is a difficult one to face. Ryu will be facing most of Boston’s hitters for the first time. Much like Game 1 against Kershaw, the Red Sox will no doubt have a plan for how they want to attack him. Needless to say, Ryu will have to be at the top of his game on Wednesday night.
Believe It
Price has finally done enough to believe that he will actually come through in a postseason game. Of course, Boston’s bats figure to stay hot as well against a pitcher who struggled his last time out. Bet on the Red Sox -135 to win Game 2 of the World Series.
