Well, we’ve finally reached that moment all MLB fans look forward to the most, it’s time for the Fall Classic. Representing the World Series this year, from the National League the Los Angeles Dodgers and in the American League the Boston Red Sox. Both teams have fought hard to get to the position they are in but only one can prevail as the 2018 champion
For the Dodgers, the road wasn’t easy. They were able to take care of the Braves in only a 4 game NLDS but went the distance in a very competitive NLCS with the Milwaukee Brewers. It took the Dodgers the whole 7 games to finish off Milwaukee. This is what you would call a back in forth type of series. But in the end, the Dodgers prevailed.
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Game 7 turned out to be an exciting one. Christian Yelich of the Brewers got it started in the bottom half of the first with a solo home run. But then in the top of the second Dodgers center fielder, Cody Bellinger followed it up with a two-run homer of his own to give the L.A a lead. A big turning point was in the bottom of the 5th inning with the Brewers threatening Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor made an unbelievable overhead catch to keep the Brewers from tying the game. The very next inning Manny Machado who L.A acquired from the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the regular season blasted a 3 run home run to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. It would stay that way as the Dodgers celebrated their second straight pennant.
The Red Sox path, on the other hand, was a bit more smooth. Boston finished the season with a franchise record 108 wins and clinched home-field advantage through the whole playoffs. So they will host Game 1 Tuesday night at Fenway.
Boston took care of their rival Yankees in the divisional series, beating them in 4 games. In the ALCS they took on the defending World Series champs, the Houston Astros. Fans believed we were in for an intriguing series, but the Red Sox were able to defeat Houston in 5 games. Other than game 1, which was the lone Boston loss in the series, the Red Sox offense was on fire. They scored 7 runs in game 2 and then 8 in games 3 and 4. They then closed it off with a 4-1 deficit in game 5 to close the series out.
Both teams need to send their best starter to the mound in game 1 if they want to take control of the series early. It will be interesting to see how long both managers stick with their starters. Both managers also have a tough choice on how to manage their bullpens, and who they will go to first.
Manager Alex Cora announced on Sunday that left-hander Chris Sale will get the start on the mound for the Red Sox in game one. After Sale, they have David Price, Rick Porcello, and Nathan Eovaldi, who the Red Sox acquired during the regular season from the Tampa Bay Rays. The rotation is pretty deep. The bullpen is pretty consistent, considering they have one of the top closers in the league in Craig Kimbrel.
Dodgers manager and former Red Sox player Dave Roberts have not yet named a starter for game one on Tuesday night. It is likely to be either Clayton Kershaw or Rich Hill. Both put up decent during the regular season and have been pretty consistent this postseason. So far Rich Hill has allowed 3 runs in 10 innings pitched, that makes for an E.R.A of 2.61 which isn’t bad at all. If he were to start Kershaw he would probably limit him just a little bit. Considering he pitched the last inning of the NLCS game 7 vs the Brewers. In the end, it’s all on manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers have a solid bullpen as well. The leader is most likely their closer Kenley Jansen who has dominated lineups all postseason.
The World Series is bound to be an entertaining time once again. WIth two very anticipating teams. It has been a very exciting time so far for baseball fans and it is bound to be an amazing finish.
