MLB
World Series Game 5 Preview: Red Sox look to close out series against Dodgers
How Can the Dodgers Prolong This Series?
It’s time for Game 5, and the Dodgers yet again are in desperation mode. Boston would love to celebrate another World Series title on enemy turf and are one win from doing so. The Dodgers are on the verge of elimination after a 9-4 defeat last night in game 4. While Boston clinching this series seems inevitable at this point, LA will try to prove us all wrong. They have battled through adversity all year long. So what must they do to send this series back to Boston?
Get to Price
As we have said before, scoring first is always big, but especially in these playoffs. The Dodgers should have the pitching advantage here. Kershaw is their ace and an all-time great. He struggled mightily in game one but has had some stellar playoff starts this year. LA will hope he looks more like his NLCS self. Meanwhile, David Price has seemingly put his woeful playoff history in the rearview mirror. LA will try to also make him look like his old self – the guy whose team was 0-10 in his first 10 playoff starts.
Get Some Length From Kershaw
Manager Dave Roberts has received lots of criticism for his World Series lineups and reliever usage. The last two games, the offense has picked it up as he inserted his best hitters, as I recommended earlier this week. They need some length from Kershaw to take pressure off of a very taxed bullpen. After the 18 inning game, Roberts had to use six relievers to get through three innings last night, and they gave up 9 runs. If Kershaw can keep his pitch count low and go deep into this one, LA will send it back to Boston for game 6.
Stop the Bullpen Implosions
Boston has been out of this world when it comes to two-out hitting, scoring half of their runs with two outs in this World Series. We have covered this. It was no different last night, as the Red Sox delivered in the clutch, with Steve Pearce putting the exclamation point on a 9-run outburst in the last three innings. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has given up game-tying 8th inning home runs in back-to-back games. Several key relievers who have been successful all year have struggled mightily in this World Series. Roberts needs some guys to step up. The question is, who will answer the bell?
