Who will win the 2018 Baseball World Series?
It’s the World Series matchup we’ve all been dreaming about — Boston and Los Angeles. But which one of these two historic franchises should you wager on to win? We make that decision easier with an in-depth breakdown of the championship series. Here’s what you need to know before you make any bets!
It's the World Series matchup we've all been dreaming about — Boston and Los Angeles. But which one of these two historic franchises should you wager on to win? We make that decision easier with an in-depth breakdown of the championship series. Here's what you need to know before you make any bets!
MLB 2018 World Series Preview
Just days removed from winning Game 7 of the NLCS in Milwaukee, the Dodgers trek to Boston to begin the World Series. Los Angeles came one game shy of a championship last year, extending its title drought to 30 years.
The 108-win Red Sox earned home-field advantage by being the most consistent team in all of baseball throughout the season. That hasn't changed in the postseason, evident by Boston's 4-1 series victory over defending champion Houston.
Game 1 is on Tuesday, so lock your series bets now. Bovada, who provided the below odds, has you covered now and during each game of the Fall Classic.
Boston Red Sox (-155) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (+125)
October baseball is usually about pitching, but we can't help but focus on the offense first, mainly because of Boston's uncanny firepower. They led the majors in most major offensive categories during the season — runs (876), hits (1,509), doubles (355), batting average (.268), on-base percentage (.339), and slugging percentage (.453).
More impressive, they've somehow managed to carry over that success in the postseason. The Red Sox have netted 56 runs in nine playoff games — 14 more than any other team. Even the Astros dominant rotation had no answer for this high-octane juggernaut.
Los Angeles' lineup matches Boston in name power with guys like Cody Bellinger, Matt Kemp, Manny Machado, Yasiel Puig, and more. Nonetheless, they've struggled as a whole this playoff run. The Dodgers OPS thus far is .667 — a mighty dip from its .774 OPS during the regular season.
On to pitching, you can't help but wonder if fatigue will catch up to Los Angeles. Clayton Kershaw will likely get the Game 1 nod, but he's fresh off tossing 15 pitches of relief in Game 7. By contrast, Chris Sale will start for the Red Sox on nine days rest. Nine! Don't be surprised if Kershaw's playoff blues rear their ugly head again on Tuesday.
Moreover, it doesn't help the Dodgers' cause that Sale, along with Boston's projected Game 2 starter David Price are both lefties. During the regular season, Los Angeles OPS was 63 points lower against left-handers than right. If the series goes the distance, the Dodgers are all but assured four matchups against lefties.
All in all, it's really hard to pick against Boston here. Its playoff wins against 100-win foes like the Yankees and Astros are far more impressive than LA's victories over Atlanta and Milwaukee. The Sox are more rested and have home-field advantage. But most of all, they're simply a better and more consistent team than the Dodgers.
For the more aggressive bettors that want to bet on how many games the World Series will last, six games is a good pick. The three-game homestand between Game 3 and 5 will keep Los Angeles alive before a return to Fenway Park sends Boston to its ninth-ever championship.
Pick: Red Sox in 6 games
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
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