WORLD SERIES 2018: Dodgers gun for seventh title, Red Sox vie for ninth
The last time these two franchises met in the World Series (1916), they were the Boston Red Sox and Brooklyn Robins.[1] The Red Sox did not play their Series home games at Fenway Park but at Braves Field so they could sell more tickets. Game 2 went 14 innings, and Babe Ruth pitched all 14 en route to a 2-1 win for Boston.[2] Woodrow Wilson was president.
A lot has changed since then, but these are still two of the most iconic franchises in North American professional sports. I guarantee you that Fox executives grinned ear-to-ear when the Dodgers won Game 7. They also probably had dollar signs in place of their pupils. This World Series should be one of the highest-rated in quite a while, both in quality of play and television ratings. I can hardly wait!
It should be competitive. These teams match up well, both in hitting and pitching. The Dodgers have a slight edge defensively, but only slight. As far as the bullpens go, both show that they’re human, but they are still strong. I’m going to give a slight nod to the Dodgers here as well.
PREDICTION: The Dodgers will win it in six games. Interestingly enough, this will make another World Series that they closed out on the road. Of their six current wins, they only clinched it at home in 1963. Crazy, huh?[3]
Enjoy the Series!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 4:14 pm MST
[1] Their franchise was officially named the Dodgers, but they were more commonly called the “Robins” after their iconic manager, Wilbert “Uncle Robbie” Robinson.
[2] He gave up an inside-the-park home run to Hy Myers in the first and blanked the Robins for the rest of the game. That was the first 13 innings of what turned into a shutout streak of 29 2/3 innings. Game 2 still holds the record for the longest complete-game victory in postseason play.
[3] Of all the teams who have won the World Series, only the Cubs and Astros have never clinched their title at home. You may be able to win some trivia games with that one. You’re welcome.
