2018 World Series Preview - Sale vs. Kershaw in Game 1

The Fall Classic is set as the LA Dodgers and Boston Red Sox start swinging at Fenway Park in Game 1 on October 23. The 2018 World Series odds have Boston  favored to win their ninth championship, and Game 1 will feature Red Sox ace Chris Sale likely opposing Clayton Kershaw in a showcase of baseball’s best left-handed starting pitchers.

2018 World Series Game 1 - Tuesday, Oct. 23 (8:07pm ET) Sale (BOS) -120 / -1.5 +150 / O 7 Kershaw (LAD)  +100 / +1.5 -160 / U 7

Sale will pitch on 9 days rest following his last start in Game 1 of the ALCS vs. Houston. His command was off against the Astros and he pitched just 4.0 innings allowing 1 hit and 2 runs. Sale’s velocity has dipped since late in the regular season and he’s dealt with a stomach ailment in recent days, but he will be rested and ready to Game 1.

2018 World Series Odds To Win - Boston Red Sox -160 / LA Dodgers +140 

Clayton Kershaw did throw 15 pitches in relief during Game 7 against Milwaukee Saturday, and he started Wednesday’s home game against the Brewers and got the win tossing 98 pitches and allowing just 3 hits and 1 run with 9 Ks over 7 innings. Clearly Kershaw can tip the scale towards the Dodgers side in this series, but recall Kershaw was battered by the Brewers bats in Game 2 of the LCS allowing 5 runs over 8 hits in just 3.0 innings. Kershaw has never pitched at Fenway Park, and several other Dodgers stars will be making their first appearance in the majors’ oldest ballpark.

Both teams were similar hitting against left-handed pitching this season, but we still give the edge to Boston at home in Game 1 while counting on Sale to return to form.

• The Dodger offense during the regular season ranked eighth in the National League with an OPS of .733 against left-handed pitching.
• The Red Sox offense during the regular season ranked eighth in the American League with an OPS of .719 against left-handed pitching.

The Dodgers are hitting just .218 in the postseason through 9 games, and the Red Sox averaged 5.8 runs per game at Fenway Park and allowed 4.0 runs; the second largest disparity by any team in the last 15 years. Roll with the Red Sox in Game 1.

2018 World Series Game 1 Bet – Boston Red Sox