World Series Preview: Game 3 Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers
Time: 5:09 PM PT
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Red Sox Lead Series 2-0
How are the Dodgers Doing?
The Dodgers fell to 0-2 in the World Series against Boston after a Game 2 loss on Wednesday. Hyun-Jin Ryu took the defeat after allowing four runs in 4.2 innings of work. Despite his poor numbers, only one run allowed came with Ryu actually on the mound. The Dodgers offense recorded all three hits against Boston in the fourth inning.
Why is this Game Important?
The Dodgers will finally get their turn at playing at home in the World Series. They have not played in front of their home crowd since Game 5 of the NLCS against the Brewers on October 17. The Dodgers have a 4-1 record when playing at home during the playoffs. In last year’s World Series the Dodgers went 2-2 in their home ballpark.
Pitching Matchup
Walker Buehler (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs Rick Porcello (1-0, 4.22 ERA) *2018 Playoff Stats
After both teams brought out southpaws to start each of the first two games, righties will take the hill for Game 3. Rookie Walker Buehler will get the nod for Los Angeles, hoping to prevent a three-game deficit in the World Series. He started Game 7 of the NLCS in his last outing, allowing just one run in 4.2 innings, while striking out seven.
After facing the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner in David Price in Game 2, the Dodgers will face the 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner in Rick Porcello. The Red Sox have won all four playoff games in which Porcello has pitched. He allowed four runs in four innings in his last start.
Matchup of the Day
Cody Bellinger vs Rick Porcello
With a righty on the hill for Boston, Cody Bellinger expects to appear in the starting lineup for Los Angeles. After winning the NLCS MVP for the Dodgers, he did not start the first two games of the series. He has not hit particularly well throughout the postseason, posting a .128 average, but came through with a Game 7 home run in the NLCS.
Vegas Odds
FiveThirtyEight
Los Angeles: 56% chance of winning
Boston: 44% chance of winning
Fun Fact
Cody Bellinger and Jackie Bradley Jr. set a record for lowest batting average for a Championship Series MVP,both batting .200 for their respective ball clubs.
Dodgers: Breaking Down Dave Roberts’ World Series Decisions
Realistically, we need to win all three games at home to have a chance to take one back in Boston, where we had several chances to win in games one and/or two.
We cannot make any more mistakes by Roberts and the players who failed to do their jobs in Boston.
Let’s win for Vin and Tommy and Sandy and the other old guys like me.