LA Dodgers (0-0) at Boston (0-0)
When: Tuesday, October 23rd 2018
Where: Fenway Park,
Boston, Massachusetts
Time: 8:09 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: Boston -130/7.5
After six months of regular season baseball and a couple of weeks of exciting postseason action, the Fall Classic is finally here and we it looks like – on paper – we have the two best teams fighting it out for the 2018 World Series. The Boston Red Sox were clearly the best team in the entire league, winning a franchise record 108 games, and dispatching two 100-win teams in the playoffs. They will host Game 1 of the World Series against the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who fought through some key injuries and sluggish play over the first few months of the season. After decades of unsuccessful seasons, Boston will be seeking its fourth World Series crown in 15 years while the Dodgers are attempting to end a title drought that dates to 1988. Two of the best left-handers in the game will square-off in the opener as Chris Sale (Red Sox) opposes Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles). The Red Sox rolled through the defending World Series champion Houston Astros in five games in the American League Championship Series, while Los Angeles prevailed in a tight seven games over the Milwaukee Brewers on the National League side. Two left-handers will also pitch in Wednesday’s Game 2 as Hyun-Jin Ryu goes up against David Price. Superstar outfielder Mookie Betts (Boston) continues to work out at second base as Boston looks to get DH J.D. Martinez into the lineup in an outfield spot when the series moves to Dodger Stadium for Games 3-5. Matt Kemp will serve as L.A.’s DH with the opener being in an AL ballpark.
Pitchers: Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 2.37 ERA) | Red Sox – Chris Sale (1-0, 3.48)
Kershaw is more than eager to make his first ever start at historic Fenway Park. “I appreciate the history and everything that goes along with Fenway Park.” The three-time Cy Young winner has been terrific in two of his three postseason starts in 2018 and closed-out Game 7 in relief on Saturday. Kershaw is 9-8 with a 4.09 ERA in 28 career playoff appearances (22 starts).
Sale said he is fully healthy now after his mysterious stomach ailment that led to him being hospitalized and missing a start in the ALCS. Its now known that he had issues with a belly-button ring that gave Sale an infection. This will be his first action in 10 days and the lefty hasn’t pitched much over the last month. Sale is 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA in five career postseason appearances (three starts).
I really don’t trust Sale right now and Kershaw is more than ready for this stage. The Dodgers have won 21-of-29 overall and were one of the best road teams in baseball this season. I can see this series going at least six games with L.A. taking at least one at Fenway this week.
Pick: Dodgers +130
BETTING TRENDS:
- Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Dodgers are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Dodgers are 9-1 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. American League East.
- Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 interleague road games.
- Dodgers are 28-10 in their last 38 during game 1 of a series.
- Dodgers are 11-4 in their last 15 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 21-8 in their last 29 overall.
- Dodgers are 21-8 in their last 29 games on grass.
- Dodgers are 20-8 in their last 28 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Dodgers are 13-6 in their last 19 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Dodgers are 15-7 in their last 22 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Dodgers are 78-37 in their last 115 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Dodgers are 35-17 in their last 52 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Dodgers are 35-17 in their last 52 interleague games.
- Dodgers are 35-17 in their last 52 games following an off day.
- Dodgers are 107-52 in their last 159 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win.
- Dodgers are 46-11 in Kershaw’s last 57 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 4-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Dodgers are 43-12 in Kershaw’s last 55 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Dodgers are 73-23 in Kershaw’s last 96 starts.
- Dodgers are 72-23 in Kershaw’s last 95 starts on grass.
- Dodgers are 53-17 in Kershaw’s last 70 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Dodgers are 44-16 in Kershaw’s last 60 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 22-8 in Kershaw’s last 30 Tuesday starts.
- Dodgers are 37-14 in Kershaw’s last 51 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Dodgers are 41-16 in Kershaw’s last 57 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 20-8 in Kershaw’s last 28 interleague starts.
- Dodgers are 36-15 in Kershaw’s last 51 road starts.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Red Sox are 6-1 in their last 7 World Series home games.
- Red Sox are 12-2 in their last 14 World Series games.
- Red Sox are 13-3 in their last 16 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 40-11 in their last 51 interleague games.
- Red Sox are 7-2 in their last 9 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Red Sox are 38-13 in their last 51 Tuesday games.
- Red Sox are 51-18 in their last 69 interleague home games.
- Red Sox are 44-16 in their last 60 vs. National League West.
- Red Sox are 45-17 in their last 62 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 62-25 in their last 87 games on grass.
- Red Sox are 46-19 in their last 65 home games.
- Red Sox are 41-17 in their last 58 games following a win.
- Red Sox are 43-19 in their last 62 games following an off day.
- Red Sox are 49-22 in their last 71 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Sox are 64-29 in their last 93 overall.
- Red Sox are 47-22 in their last 69 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 40-19 in their last 59 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Sox are 35-17 in their last 52 during game 1 of a series.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in Sale’s last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in Sale’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in Sale’s last 4 starts with 9 or more days of rest.
- Red Sox are 4-0 in Sale’s last 4 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 6-0 in Sale’s last 6 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 11-2 in Sale’s last 13 starts.
- Red Sox are 11-2 in Sale’s last 13 starts on grass.
- Red Sox are 5-1 in Sale’s last 6 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Red Sox are 4-1 in Sale’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Sox are 10-3 in Sale’s last 13 Tuesday starts.
- Red Sox are 6-2 in Sale’s last 8 home starts.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Dodgers last 4 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Dodgers last 6 on grass.
- Over is 4-1 in Dodgers last 5 interleague games.
- Over is 8-2 in Dodgers last 10 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Dodgers last 6 overall.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Dodgers last 6 playoff games.
- Over is 4-1 in Dodgers last 5 interleague road games.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Dodgers last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Dodgers last 5 games following a win.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Dodgers last 5 World Series games.
- Over is 6-2 in Dodgers last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 5-2-1 in Dodgers last 8 road games.
- Over is 5-2-3 in Dodgers last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 38-18-4 in Dodgers last 60 Tuesday games.
- Under is 33-16-3 in Dodgers last 52 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 4-0 in Kershaw’s last 4 road starts.
- Over is 4-0-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 Tuesday starts.
- Over is 4-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Over is 4-1-1 in Kershaw’s last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 4-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 starts on grass.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Kershaw’s last 5 starts overall.
- Under is 5-2 in Kershaw’s last 7 interleague starts.
- Over is 5-2 in Kershaw’s last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Under is 44-21-3 in Kershaw’s last 68 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 6-0 in Red Sox last 6 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Over is 6-0-1 in Red Sox last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Over is 6-0 in Red Sox last 6 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 8-1-2 in Red Sox last 11 home games.
- Over is 8-1-1 in Red Sox last 10 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Over is 7-1 in Red Sox last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 7-1 in Red Sox last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 13-3-2 in Red Sox last 18 during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 playoff games.
- Over is 11-3 in Red Sox last 14 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Over is 15-5-2 in Red Sox last 22 on grass.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Red Sox last 5 Tuesday games.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Red Sox last 5 interleague games.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Red Sox last 5 World Series games.
- Over is 15-5-2 in Red Sox last 22 overall.
- Over is 8-3 in Red Sox last 11 games following a win.
- Over is 17-7-4 in Red Sox last 28 playoff home games.
- Over is 35-16-2 in Red Sox last 53 games following an off day.
- Over is 13-6 in Red Sox last 19 vs. National League West.
- Under is 15-7-2 in Red Sox last 24 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 33-16-2 in Red Sox last 51 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Over is 4-0-2 in Sale’s last 6 starts on grass.
- Over is 4-0-1 in Sale’s last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 4-0-2 in Sale’s last 6 starts overall.
- Over is 4-0 in Sale’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 3-0-2 in Sale’s last 5 home starts.
- Over is 4-0-1 in Sale’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Over is 9-2 in Sale’s last 11 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 7-2-1 in Sale’s last 10 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Sale’s last 5 Tuesday starts.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Sale’s last 5 interleague starts.
- Over is 7-3 in Sale’s last 10 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Dodgers are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings.
- Dodgers are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Boston.
