2018 World Series Preview: Red Sox vs. Dodgers
I did not expect either team to be here. I thought the Milwaukee Brewers were too hot. I thought the Houston Astros were too good. Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have proven me wrong as they are the two teams that will be battling in the 2018 World Series.
Both teams are obviously good, but lets go through the matchups…
Rotation: I am going to go with the Dodgers here. Kershaw has been okay, Rich Hill has been good, and Walker Buehler has been pretty impressive to me in this postseason. On the other side, David Price finally showed up, but can he do it again? Is Chris Sale the same guy right now that he was in the middle of the season? I honestly think Nathan Eovaldi is the best starter right now for the Red Sox and, even though he’s pitching great, that isn’t good news for Boston.
Lineup: These two teams have similar lineups, but I think the Red Sox have the edge in this department. They have two potential MVP’s in their lineup to go along with guys like Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi, and the suddenly scorching hot Jackie Bradley Jr. The Dodgers are no slouches on the other side with Manny Machado and Justin Turner, but I just feel the Red Sox have a more consistent lineup up and down.
Bullpen: If you have read any of my other blogs, I think the Red Sox bullpen stinks. After watching their best reliever (Craig Kimbrel) lose his marbles on the mound a couple times already, I am going to go with the Red Sox. “Wait, what?”. Yes the Red Sox. Even though Kimbrel has looked bad, he still has the potential to be a lockdown guy. Then you have Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, and even Joe Kelly who have pitched well so far.
On LA’s side, they have Pedro Baez, Ryan Madson, and Dylan Floro, but Kenley Jansen seems like the only guy I’d trust despite the fact that the others have pitched well this postseason.
Manager: I give the edge to the Dodgers. Alex Cora has been wonderful in his first season managing, but Dave Roberts gets the edge in my book. The fact that he has the World Series experience, and he has had to manage in the National League all year which requires a little bit more strategy with no designated hitter.
Prediction: Like I said at the start of this blog, I thought this was going to be an Astro – Brewer matchup, so take this prediction with a tablespoon of salt, but I am going with the Boston Red Sox. I have doubted the 108 win team all year and they have shoved it back in my face over and over this postseason. I am tired of picking against them and after beating the defending champion Astros 4-1 in the ALCS, they proved to me they are the best team in baseball.
-Jarrod Ribaudo (@Jribs53)
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