Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series: 3 things to watch for in the Fall Classic

Battle of the Bullpens

Both Boston and LA have anchors at the end of their bullpen in Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen.

Kimbrel has been shaky so far this post season, allowing a run in every one of his appearances going into his outing in Game 5 of the ALCS. He held on and got the save without allowing a run. So far this post season, Kimbrel has logged 6.1 innings, 6 hits, 6 walks, 8 strikeouts. In his 5 saves he has allowed 5 earned runs for an ugly 7.11 ERA.

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Jansen has had a stress free post season. In his 6 games played, he has gone 6.2 innings, 2 hits, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts, picking up three saves along the way and has a nice clean 0.00 ERA. The Red Sox have got to to the Dodger closer if they wish to win some games late.

These guys are part of the handful of elite closers in the game. But lets talk about the journey to get  to them.

The Red Sox have had a shaky bullpen all season long. So far this post season, they have stepped up in big moments and have gotten big outs. Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, and Matt Barnes all have combined for 18.2 innings, 9 hits, 9 walks, 14 strikeouts, and two earned runs for a 0.98 ERA. Those are some impressive numbers. Alex Cora also has the luxury of bringing starters in relief in Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi, and Eduardo Rodriguez.

The Dodgers bullpen has also been stout this post season. Their top middle relievers include Pedro Baez, Dylan Floro, Caleb Ferguson and Ryan Madson. These relievers have combined for 20.2 innings, 11 hits, 6 walks, 24 strikeouts, 1 earned run for a stellar 0.44 ERA. Dave Roberts is also not shy about bringing in Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Kenta Maeda and Julio Urias.

All in all, both the Red Sox and Dodgers are pretty evenly matched. This is defiantly going to be a star-studded World Series. Hopefully the Boston Red Sox can win four more games en route to capping off one of the best seasons in MLB history.