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Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series: Team needs to maintain hot bats in Game 2

By William Hyland

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by his teammate J.D. Martinez #28 after his three-run home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by his teammate J.D. Martinez #28 after his three-run home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox were phenomenal in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series. Hopefully, their success will continue in Game 2 with David Price taking the hill.

The Boston Red Sox were phenomenal in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series. They built off their success earlier in the postseason and continued to score with two outs. But tonight, with David Price on the mound, what should we expect from the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers?

Well, for starters, I don’t expect the starting pitchers to last long in the early part of the game. While Price pitched very well in Game 5 of the ALCS, I still worry that his pitch count could rise early and force him out by the fifth inning – not necessarily because he is pitching poorly, but more of like what happened to Chris Sale in Game 1.

Hyun-jin Ryu, on the other hand, badly needs a rebound outing for Los Angeles.  Ryu had a fantastic season but gave up five runs on seven hits in three innings during Game 6 of the NLCS.

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Unfortunately for Dodger fans, I don’t see this trend correcting itself tonight. Boston’s offense has been too potent lately and Alex Cora seems to have all the answers.

As for the back-end pitchers, last night was a role reversal.

The Red Sox bullpen, especially late, proved to be dynamite. On the other hand, the Dodgers bullpen gave up the crucial blows.

Just like in Game 1, I expect the late innings in Game 2 to come down to a handful of close situations, whether it be potential inning-ending plays that prolong rallies or passed balls that negate double-play opportunities.

Ultimately, I don’t see any blowouts or hot parades happening at frigid Fenway tonight.

For the Dodgers to win, they’ll need to avoid the Red Sox early offensive attacks. In four of the last five games, all of which were wins, Boston has scored two runs in the first inning.

Even though the Dodgers were able to tie the game periodically last night, they cannot afford to play from behind any longer.

If the Red Sox want to pull further ahead in the series, they’ll need to capitalize with runners in scoring position. As the reciprocal of what the Dodgers need to avoid, the Boston Red Sox cannot afford to strand runners and keep LA in the game

Andrew Benintendi balled out in Game 1. dark. Next

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At the end of the day, I think Price, and the Sox, squeak it out tonight in Game 2 of the 2018 World Series.

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