Dodgers vs. Red Sox Prediction
The World Series will get underway tonight as the AL-best Boston Red Sox will host the National League’s top team in the Los Angeles Dodgers. Will Boston ride Chris Sale and a powerful offense to a victory as favorite in Game 1 at Fenway Park?
Game Snapshot
901 Los Angeles Dodgers at 902 Boston Red Sox
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Fenway Park at 8:05PM ET
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Red Sox are a -143 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Dodgers are a +133 underdog, while the total is set at 7.5 runs. As of Tuesday morning, 54 percent of public bets are coming in on host Boston. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for our latest info.
Dodgers turn to Kershaw
Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for tonight’s Game 1. After a rough start his first time out against Milwaukee in the NLCS, Kershaw bounced back in Game 5 as he allowed only one earned run on three hits with nine strikeouts and two walks over seven innings to pick up the win in a 5-2 triumph. He also helped his own cause by walking twice and scoring a run at the plate. He also threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in Game 7, just three days ago. During the regular season, Kershaw had a 2.73 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP with 155 strikeouts over 161 1/3 innings. Chris Taylor has helped pace the Dodgers offense in the postseason with a 1.067 OPS in 25 at-bats, with a home run plus a double and a triple. Yasiel Puig has a .962 OPS in 30 at-bats with a home run and three doubles.
Sale returns from illness to start Game 1
Chris Sale will draw the start for the Red Sox tonight after spending time in the hospital with a stomach ailment during the ALCS. He started Game 1 and gave up two earned runs on one hit with five strikeouts and four walks over four innings in the Game 1 loss by a count of 7-2. Sale did not pitch the rest of the series as Boston rebounded. Sale had a 2.11 ERA and 0.86 WHIP during the regular season, striking out 237 batters over 158 innings. Leading the offense for the Red Sox during the playoffs has been J.D. Martinez, who has a .946 OPS and two home runs plus a double in 32 at-bats. Jackie Bradley Jr. provided a pair of big home runs in the ALCS and also has two doubles, giving him an OPS of .853 in 27 at-bats.
MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Dodgers are 21-8 in their last 29 games. The over is 5-2-1 in the last eight LA road games.
Boston
The Red Sox are 12-2 in their last 14 World Series games. Boston is 40-11 in its last 51 interleague games.
Prediction:
As good as Kershaw has looked in two of his three playoff starts, I don’t think he is going to be invincible against this dangerous Boston offense. Mookie Betts is due for a big hit or two and the top half of the lineup is a minefield. Sale was awesome all season and I think he gets locked in for about six strong innings here. Closer Craig Kimbrel is rested again and will be likely throwing darts to finish this one out. Take Boston to get the win in Game 1.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BALTIMORE ORIOLES -120