The Boston Red Sox doubled up the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 in the Sportsbook game of the World Series last night and now look to grab a 2-0 series lead tonight as they are a -145 favorite in Game 2 with the Dodgers coming back at +125. A pair of lefties toe the rubber as Hyun-Jin Ryu faces off against David Price with the total Sportsbook at 8.5 runs.
- The total has gone OVER in four of the Dodgers’ last five games vs the Red Sox (avg. combined score: 9.2).
- The total has gone OVER in nine of the Red Sox’ last 10 games at home (avg. combined score: 12.7).
- David Price’s teams are 1-6 SU in his seven career home postseason starts.
Dodgers vs Red Sox Game Center
Ryu trending downward in the postseason
Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97 ERA) has had a good season but has been much better at home than he has been on the road. The 31-year-old had a sparkling 1.15 ERA at Dodger Stadium this year with Los Angeles going 7-2 SU in his nine appearances, but on the road, the South Korea native holds a 3.58 ERA with the Dodgers splitting his six starts.
This trend has continued into the postseason as the 31-year-old lefty tossed seven scoreless innings in the NLDS at home but posted an 8.59 ERA in his two road starts in the NLCS. This is the second career start for Ryu vs the Red Sox and the first since 2013, when he was tagged for four earned runs on five hits over five innings in a 4-2 loss vs Boston at Dodger Stadium. Ryu will have to be careful in tonight’s match as the Red Sox have a .307 average vs LHP in the postseason.
Price is coming off his best career playoff start
David Price (16-7, 3.85 ERA) has pitched well at Fenway Park this year and he’s coming off a terrific postseason start at Minute Maid Park in Game 5 of the ALCS. The Tennessee native had a respectable 2.98 ERA through his 16 home starts this season with the Red Sox going 13-3 SU in those appearances. In this year’s playoffs, though, Price has made two trips to the mound at Fenway Park where he holds a startling 9.95 ERA, failing to pitch five innings in either start.
The 33-year-old has made two career starts against the Dodgers and this is his first start against them since 2016. Price’s clubs have dropped his previous two outings vs LA but he has pitched well, allowing a combined three earned runs over 12 innings for a 2.25 ERA. The southpaw will have to be mindful of Manny Machado as the Dodgers shortstop is a career .293 hitter off Price with a double, five home runs and eight RBIs.
Is another OVER in store for Game 2?
Game 1 of the World Series featured a combined score of 12 and Sportsbook has tonight’s total Sportsbook at 8.5 runs for Game 2. Meanwhile, the OVER has been trending at Fenway Park as nine of the last 10 games there have gone OVER with an average combined score of 12.7. Additionally, the total has gone OVER in four of the last five meetings between the Dodgers and the Red Sox with an average combined score of 9.2. Both pitchers have some red flags heading into this game as Ryu holds an 8.59 ERA through his two road playoff starts this year, while Price has a 9.95 ERA in his two home postseason starts. An OVER could definitely be in store for Game 2.
My take on Los Angeles vs Boston
I’m going to continue riding the OVER wave at Fenway Park and I like the OVER 8.5 runs.
In addition to the points above, the Red Sox hitters are terrorizing left-handed pitching, holding a team average of .307 with a .843 OPS. Lastly, due to the poor starting performances last night, the bullpens may be relied upon again tonight. Red Sox relievers have a 3.40 ERA in the postseason and Dodgers relievers surrendered three earned runs over five innings in last night’s game.
