Red Sox vs Dodgers World Series Game 5 Odds and Prediction

• The Red Sox are in position to win their fourth World Series since 2004
• After an epic Game 3, and offensive onslaught in Game 4 gave them a 3-1 Series lead
• World Series Game 5 goes Sunday night in LA at 8:15pm EST in LA

This World Series has had a little bit of everything. And most of it came in Game 4. There was dominant pitching performances, massive home runs, and a big comeback.

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, outside of the pitching performance, it all went the Red Sox way.

And now Boston heads into Game 5 with a 3-1 Series lead, with their ace on the hill.

Red Sox vs Dodgers Game 5 Odds

World Series Game 5 Preview: Price vs Kershaw

Somewhat surprisingly, the Red Sox will turn to David Price instead of Chris Sale in Game 5.

When you consider their World Series starts though, maybe it isn’t so surprising.

The Dodgers had the perfect game plan for Chris Sale. Out-wait him and drive up his pitch count.

Price meanwhile, wasn’t without his bumps in Game 2, but pitched well. Three hits and three walks over six innings, two earned runs and five strikeouts.

He needs to do it again.

The Dodgers will try to stave off elimination tonight in Game 5 vs the Red Sox. LA is 0-8 in its postseason history when trailing 3-1 in a best-of-7 series.

Game 5 starter Clayton Kershaw has a 6.28 ERA in 5 career elimination game starts. The Dodgers are 2-3 in those games. pic.twitter.com/EOYmJ47LJ0

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 28, 2018

Clayton Kershaw, on the other hand, was…playoff edition Clayton Kershaw.

After giving up two in the first, his team never led, as the wheels fell off in the fifth.

The Dodgers need Kershaw to step up now more than ever. The question is if he can.

Dodgers need offense to step up in big way

Simply put: the big pieces have not been there when the Dodgers need them.

Buck Martinez pointed out Justin Turner’s changed approach in Game 4. He’s leading the entire World Series, hitting .381.

Justin Turner’s using a massive tablet to study between at-bats. pic.twitter.com/3oKobePuFz

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 27, 2018

But he and Max Muncy are the only Dodgers hitting above .250 against Boston.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, are getting a steady performance out of Christian Vazquez, clutch moments from Steve Pearce, and a dramatic emergence from Andrew Benintendi.

If the #Dodgers lose this #WorldSeries, it is 100% Dave Roberts’ fault.

Atrocious mismanagement of offense and pitching.

This is what happens when you dedicate 100% of your approach to analytics, instead of trusting your gut and letting your team just play baseball.

— Joshua Robinson (@Hey_Its_Shua_) October 28, 2018

Manny Machado is hitting just .222.

He and Puig have combined for seven RBI, but three of those came from the Game 4 home run. Otherwise Puig would just have one, and Machado would lead the team with three.

Dodgers’ bullpen falls off, Red Sox’s rises

When the series started, there were questions surrounding the Red Sox bullpen. The Dodgers’ bullpen was trusted and effective.

Now the tables have turned.

Ryan Madson had a rocky regular season but he turned it around in the NLDS and NLCS. Then the World Series happened.

Ryan Madson has inherited 7 runners in this series — all 7 have scored. #Dodgers #RedSox

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 28, 2018

He’s inherited seven base-runners in the World Series. The Red Sox have cashed in all seven.

Kenley Jansen has struggled too. He’s given up game-tying home runs in both of his outings.

With Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel rolling, Boston has the late-game advantage.

Also, Chris Sale has made it known in the past this postseason he’s willing to pitch out of the bullpen. If the Red Sox get up big on Sunday, he could be the hammer again.

Chris Sale has made it clear to Alex Cora he is ready to pitch out of the bullpen, and Cora has very specific conditions under which he would consider this tonight — a decent-sized lead, with outs needed before Kimbrel. I.e., if he feels he can go for the jugular.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 10, 2018

World Series Game 5 Prediction

Despite a worrisome Game 1, Price has significantly less pressure on him than Kershaw. Five good innings from him should do it.

For Kershaw, this needs to be his best playoff start EVER. LA’s bullpen is taxed. Madson has pitched in all four games. Jansen has thrown on back-to-back nights. And the Dodgers’ offense continues to be uneven.

Unfortunately for LA, it’ll be back to back World Series disappointments. The Red Sox will be partying like it’s 2004. Or 2007. Or 2013.

Red Sox 6, Dodgers 3