World Series Game 1 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Boston Red Sox
Published October 23, 2018 by Sol FH
Game 1 of the Fall Classic gets underway tonight at 1:09 GMT and the odds are ready to roll.
It is that time of year again, Major League Baseball's World Series Championship is about to get down and this year is a big battle between LA and Boston. The Dodgers made it to the big show by ousting the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 7 of the League Championship series, while the Red Sox made quick work of the Houston Astros in five games. Tonight will start the beginning of what is the Dodgers' second-chance in two years to win a World Series. They haven't won since 1988. The Red Sox won last in 2013, and are proving to be a tough team to beat in the off-season.
Battle on the Mound
The Dodgers will be throwing Clayton Kershaw at the Red Sox in Game 1. The big lefty was seen getting climatized in Boston yesterday wearing a few extra layers of clothing in an attempt to keep his arm warm. Kershaw pitched in the last inning of the Game 7 win over the Brewers, and he only needed 15 pitches to do so. This came after he threw 98 pitches in just a few days before. Kershaw will be going against another amazing lefty in Chris Sale, who will be at home tonight, exactly where he likes to be.
The payrolls of both teams are massive, and it is truly an all-star face-off type of series. The Red Sox had the highest payroll of any other team in the league this year at a whopping $230 million. The Dodgers have spent $1.4 billion in salary over the last six seasons and have won six National League West titles. Their payroll this year was around $200 million which was the third highest in the league. The Red Sox are going for their fourth championship in the last 15 years.
A Long History
Amazingly, the last time that the Red Sox met, the Brooklyn Robins, a team that became the Los Angeles Dodgers was in 1916. On the mound for the Red Sox was a young lefty named Babe Ruth. The Red Sox won that series in five games, and the teams really haven't had a lot of contact since then. They were close to meeting in 1988, 2008, and 2012 after they both made it to their respective League Championship series, but they were not lucky enough to advance together. In 2016, the Red Sox played three games at Dodger Stadium, but it will be the first time that many of the Dodgers' roster play under the shadow of the Green Monster.
Game 1 Prediction and World Series Odds
The Red Sox are heavy favorites to win Game 1, and, to win the 2018 World Series. bet365 Sports has them at 1.66 to win the first game. At 888 Sport the odds are 1.67 for the Red Sox, while Betfair Sports has things for Boston at 1.70. For the Dodgers, the underdog spot doesn't bother them too much. Punters will be pleased to see their odds at 2.30 by bet365 Sports, 2.23 at 888 Sport, and, 2.20 at Betfair Sports.
This will be an action-packed series with terrific offense on both sides. Don't miss out on Game 1 tonight in Boston.
