2018 World Series Odds: Red Sox Open as Gambling Favorites over Dodgers
With the 2018 World Series matchup now set, the oddsmakers are weighing in.
The Boston Red Sox enter the Fall Classic favored over the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to OddsShark:
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Boston has been met with little resistance on its way to the American League pennant. Under first-year manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox cruised to the AL East crown by going a franchise-record 108-54 during the regular season. They took out the archrival New York Yankees in four games in the ALDS, and after dropping the opening game of the ALCS, they ran off four straight wins against the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
Powered by AL MVP candidates J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts, the Red Sox have had the top offense in both the regular season and the postseason.
Not only that, but former AL Cy Young award winner David Price appears to have exorcized his postseason demons. After his teams were winless in his first 10 career postseason starts, Boston went 2-0 in the five-time All-Star's ALCS starts. That includes six innings of three-hit, shutout baseball to close out the Astros in Game 5.
If Price carries that momentum over, one of Boston's previous weaknesses could turn out to be a strength.
Meanwhile, things weren't so easy for Los Angeles in the National League. The Dodgers (92-71) had to scratch and claw their way into the postseason, and they needed a 163rd game in order to win the NL West. They easily handled the Atlanta Braves in four games in the NLDS but were pushed to the limit by the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
Ultimately, Los Angeles pulled out a 5-1 victory on the road at Miller Park to win its second consecutive NL pennant.
The Dodgers are strong both on the mound and at the plate. Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu have come up with big starts throughout the playoffs. Also, the offense ranked second only to the record-setting Yankees with 235 home runs. Los Angeles had 10 players reach double digits, with seven reaching the 20 mark.
Boston owns home-field advantage after finishing with the better record during the regular season. Game 1 will be played at Fenway Park, with first pitch on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 8:09 p.m. ET.
