MLB
World Series Preview: Why The Dodgers Shouldn’t Be Underdogs
The World Series is finally here! The Los Angeles Dodgers will be taking on the Boston Red Sox tonight. There’s been tons of talk about the last time these historic teams matched-up in the World Series in 1916. Also talks of how historically, the two clubs have teamed up numerous times off the field for multiple small and blockbuster type trades. With 108 wins, the Red Sox seemed to have coasted to the World Series this year, like the Dodgers did last year, but look where that got them. This year, however, after a horrific start, the Dodgers have had to fight their way to the top and are in grasps of what slipped through their fingers last year, a World Series Title. Most people are highly favoring the Red Sox, but these two teams are more evenly matched than one might think.
Tonight’s Pitching Matchup
Tonight, the Dodgers will be sending longtime ace and lefty hurler Clayton Kershaw to the mound. While Boston Red Sox will be sending their left-handed stud Chris Sale. Although both pitchers dominate in the regular season, both have had some less than stellar postseason appearances. Let’s compare the two.
Red Sox
First, let’s look at Chris Sale. Sale has a solid 2.89-lifetime regular-season ERA, in his nine-year career. He sported an even better 2.11 ERA this season. The postseason, however, is a little different. In Sale’s two years in the postseason, he is 1-2 with a no-decision and a 5.85 ERA. Most recently in the ALCS against the Astros, he had the no-decision where he gave up two runs and four walks in only 4 innings pitched. Overall for this postseason Sale is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA. Obviously, Sale has amazing stuff, but his postseason numbers so far don’t match up with his regular season capability. However, if Sale pitches to his potential performance tonight, it will be trouble for the Dodgers.
Dodgers
Now, let’s look at Clayton Kershaw. In Kershaw’s eleven-year career he has an awesome 2.39 ERA, posting a little higher than usual 2.73 ERA on this season. Kershaw’s postseason definitely has some ups and downs. Overall, in Kershaw’s eight years in the postseason, he is 9-8 with a 4.09 ERA. Not Kershaw numbers by any means, but not as bad as everyone makes him out to be in the postseason. This postseason, Kershaw is 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA, so definitely improving on years before. He has thrown one off-game and two great games, where he straight up dominated the Braves and then did close to the same to the Brewers. In fact, I said it earlier and I’ll say it again but his last NLCS start against the Brewers was Kershaw’s 8th postseason start allowing 1 run or fewer and 3 hits or fewer. No one else in MLB history has more than 5 such starts. Just something to think about when wanting to say how bad Kershaw is in the postseason. If Kershaw is the dominating Kershaw he is during the season and has now proven he can be in this postseason, then the Red Sox are in trouble.
Offense
We all know both teams can hit as they each scored the highest number of runs in their respective leagues. What many might not know is that if you replace the Dodger pitcher position with a DH then the Dodgers actually are a slightly statistically stronger offensive team than the Red Sox. However, the fact is that both teams have multiple guys who are capable of coming up with big hits.
Boston has the likes of Mookie Betts who batted .346 on the year with 32 dingers or J.D. Martinez who hit .330 and belted 43 bombs and 130 RBIs. Those guys just make hitting look easy! You don’t win 108 games by accident, but the Dodgers are no slouches.
The Dodgers have their platoon of players where they can and will match you pitcher-for-pitcher with an equally talented hitter waiting to get off the bench. Speaking of the Dodger’s weapons, do I need to remind you that eight Dodgers players hit over 20 home runs on the regular season? Eight. That’s insane! Furthermore, Machado and Muncy each had at least 35 dingers! That’s not even counting Justin Turner, who only had 14 bombs due to be on the disabled list half the season, but still batted .312 on the year. Or, Chris Taylor who had 17 homers in limited playing time.
Tonight Dave Roberts will be sending an all right-handed batting order platoon to the plate, to counter the lefty Sale. Meaning that on the bench and available, to come in are the talents of last year’s Rookie of the Year and this year’s NLCS MVP Cody Bellinger as well as Joc Pederson, who set a Dodger franchise leadoff home run record with eight this year.
Defense
If you were to go position by position, the edge would have to go to the Dodgers. 1st Base goes to the Dodgers with Max Muncy or David Freese. 2nd Base we’ll give to the Red Sox with Ian Kinsler and as Betts could be seeing time there. Although, Brian Dozier is starting there tonight and his glove is stellar. If his bat is on then it would shift back to the Dodger’s edge. Shortstop easily goes to the Dodgers with gold glover and heavy hitter Manny Machado. Third Base has to go to Justin Turner as well. He is a Gold Glove caliber fielder and constant offensive producer/spark. Since the Dodgers go platoon style it’s harder matchup the outfield. Left field I’ll give to the Red Sox with Andrew Benintendi, although Chris Taylor is a pretty similar player and will be getting the start tonight. Centerfield has to go to Cody Bellinger. The kid makes amazing plays out there and has come up with some clutch hits, including a two-run homer in the NLCS to get things going for L.A. With Mookie Betts in Right Field, Boston has the edge. I mentioned his ridiculous stats earlier and his defensive capabilities match them as well. I will say, however, that Yasiel Puig is a bit of an x-factor. He can come up with big plays on the field and even bigger clutch hits when it counts. Like his three-run home run to seal the deal in the Dodgers NLCS win. The bullpen edge has got to go to the Dodgers as well. They just out bullpened the best bullpen in baseball against the Brewers. In addition, unlike the regular season, Kenley Jansen has been phenomenal this postseason and has allowed zero runs in 6.2 innings pitched.
Conclusion
The two teams that made it to the World Series are the two teams that deserve to be there. Both have amazing pitching, offense and x-factors. Yes, the Red Sox won 108 games this season and that’s something that should be noted. However, after Dodgers after their poor 16-26 start, the Red Sox only had 3 more wins than them for the rest of the year. Point being, although everyone would like to say the Red Sox have this one in the bag, when you take a closer look at it, these two teams are more evenly matched than one would think. I think it’s going to be a great series and as for me, I’m going with the “underdog”, even though they really shouldn’t be one. #LADetermined
Photo Credit: Hugh C. McBride and Ed O’Connor via Flickr
