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2018 World Series Game 2: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Boston Red Sox 10/24/18 MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction

The Boston Red Sox seek a 2-0 lead in the 2018 World Series as they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night at Fenway Park in Boston.

First Fenway Appearance

The Los Angeles fought back twice to tie Game 1 but each time they did, the Red Sox had the answers. Now they are hoping that they can bounce back in Game 2 and avoid going home with a 0-2 deficit.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will open on top of the mound for the Dodgers. Like their Game 1 starter Clayton Kershaw, Hyun will be making his first ever pitching appearance at Fenway Park. The 31 year old finished the regular season with a record of 7-3 with an ERA of 1.97 and a WHIP of 1.008. Ryu is 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP in the current postseason. He took the loss in his last start which came in Game 6 of the NLCS. Ryu allowed 5 runs on 7 hits with two walks and three strikeouts in three innings of work.

JD Martinez is the only member of the Red Sox who has more than three at bats against Ryu in his career, going 2-7 against the Dodgers’ starting pitcher. Martinez turned his ankle while rounding second base in Game 1 but he avoided serious injury, kept himself in the game and vowed to play through pain.

What’re the Odds?

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Boston Red Sox 10/24/18
Moneyline Odds: Dodgers +128, Red Sox -138
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 10/23/18

The Red Sox drew first blood with an 8-4 win on Tuesday behind the bats of Andrew Benintendi, JD Martinez and Eduardo Nunez. Boston’s big bats made up for the pitching duel that never was. Both Chris Sale of Boston and Clayton Kershaw of Los Angeles were expected to strut great stuff but neither lasted more than four innings in Game 1.

For the Red Sox, it will be David Price who will try to put the team two games up when they head to the City of Angels. Price went 16-7 with an ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.14 during the regular season. Price is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in the postseason. In his last outing, Price tossed six scoreless innings against the Astros in Game 5 of the ALCS and got the win. Price is 3-9 in his career during the playoffs. This will be Price’s third start versus the Dodgers and he is 0-1 with an ERA of 2.25 against them. For his career, Price has a record of 26-7 with a 3.08 ERA at Fenway Park.

Manny Machado, who drove in three runs for the Dodgers in Game 1, is 12-41 with 5 homeruns in his career vs David Price while Brian Dozier is 9-39 with two homers against Price.

Who Wins?

The Red Sox are 13-4 in Price’s last 17 starts against a team with a winning record. They are also 4-0 in interleague play against left handed starters. The Dodgers are 4-1 in Ryu’s last 5 interleague starts and are 5-1 in their last Game 2s of a series. On the contrary, the Red Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 Game 2s played.The Red Sox have won 8 out of the last 11 meetings between these teams and they are 5-0 SU against the Dodgers at Fenway Park.

Personally, I’m no fan of Price. Sure, he’s coming off a performance where he gave up just three hits and pitched six scoreless innings. But he’s 3-9 overall with an ERA of 5.04 in his playoff career. That’s not the kind of resume you’d like to put your money on. On the other hand, Ryu is making his first ever start at Fenway at that could be a daunting task. Just ask Kershaw who didn’t last more than four innings in Game 1.

Betting Prediction

The Dodgers have a better record in Game 2s but I just can’t put aside how the Red Sox offense won Game 1 for them. I think Price is going to pitch a solid effort but even if he falters, the Red Sox offense is too good that it will carry the team to another win in Game 2.

We’re picking the Boston Red Sox to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2.

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Los Angeles is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road. On the other hand, the Red Sox are 5-0 ATS in their last five games.

What’re the Odds?

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Boston Red Sox 10/24/18
Spread Odds: Dodgers +1.5 (+128), Red Sox -1.5 (-138)
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 10/23/18

Betting Prediction

Red Sox have won 7 out of the last 10 meetings between these teams and the average scoring margin is 2.1 runs in favor of the Red Sox. Boston has covered the spread in their last 5 games. They’re likely going to make it six in a row here.

Prediction: Red Sox -1.5

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The over is 5-1 in Boston’s last 6 games and the over is also 9-1 in the last 10 home games played by the Red Sox. The over has gone over in 6 out of the last 9 road games of the Dodgers and over in four out of the last five games between these teams.

What’re the Odds?

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Boston Red Sox 10/24/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 8.5 -118, Under 8.5 -102
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 10/23/18

Betting Prediction

The Red Sox entered this series averaging over 6 runs per game in the playoffs. In game 1, the over cashed in as Boston poured in 8 runs on the Dodgers. With Boston’s bats finding their marks in Game 1, they should carry the momentum in Game 2. There’s not stopping the Boston Red Sox machine right now.

Prediction: Over 8.5

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Chris Blain