The Prospector
Editor’s Note: There is baseball in late October and that can only mean one thing—the World Series is finally here. The National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against the American League champion Boston Red Sox in the 114th edition of the World Series.
Here are the Prospy Picks on the 2018 World Series:
Javier Cortez (Copy Editor)
You have to respect the resolve and consistency of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They hold the third longest postseason streak in MLB history and clinched back-to-back National League pennants.
That’s worth something. More importantly, it speaks to their talent and overall depth. They deserve respect—making this World Series worth watching—but their opponent is in the midst of something special.
The Boston Red Sox have the opportunity to go down as one of the greatest teams in modern history if they beat the Dodgers. They posted a franchise record for wins, led the MLB in virtually every batting category while boasting two legitimate MVP candidates in J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts.
In summation, it’s been a historic year for the Red Sox. And despite a slight dip in play in the month of September, their postseason run has been more than impressive.
They beat a 100-win Yankees squad in the division series—effectively nullifying one of the best power hitting teams in the MLB—the Yankees had more strikeouts (31) than hits (28). Then they beat a 103-win Astros squad in the championship series—outplaying arguably the most talent-rich team in the MLB—outmatching them hit for hit and pitch for pitch.
If the trend continues Boston should win. The Dodgers should make for a competitive series, but the Red Sox are the better team. MVP: Mookie Betts. Boston in six.
Adrian Broaddus (Web Editor)
The Dodgers-Red Sox matchup is what the average baseball fan wants, and for the sport itself, it’s what baseball needs.
The state of baseball is in dire need of some help. Viewership is low on a national scale. In fact, baseball is becoming a regional sport, where fans in home organizations shed a ton of support, but those outside the area of the organization have a tougher time watching baseball.
With that being said, the Red Sox are as hot as they have ever been. Mookie Betts is having an MVP caliber year, as is J.D. Martinez. Their pitching staff, which became vulnerable at times, was able to squeeze out wins. Defensively, they are at their peak.
For the Dodgers, they pushed back against a defiant Milwaukee team in a seven-game finish. Their talent at the plate is pretty impressive, and moreover, their bench could be what sends them over in some games. Closer Kenley Jansen is the best in baseball and should be fun to watch.
Baseball needs this to be a big series, but the Red Sox are too good. The Dodgers talent level might give them one or two, but this is Boston’s year. MVP: Mookie Betts. Boston in five.
Daniel Mendez (Sports Editor)
Full Disclosure: Daniel “Curly” Mendez is a die-hard Dodgers fan.
The Boston Red Sox have been waiting for their World Series opponent for a while. They watched as the Dodgers were forced to seven games by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Red Sox had the best record in baseball this season with 108 wins, 16 more than the Dodgers. They won seven of their last nine postseason games, breezing through the competition, they sound a lot like last October’s Dodgers who fell short in game seven of the World Series to the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have seemed to be battle tested ever since that crushing game seven defeat. At one point they were one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. It took LA the final week of the season to earn the right to play in October. They’ve been battle tested this postseason something that didn’t come to them till the World Series last season.
The Dodgers enter the World Series with ghosts from last year but face a red-hot Boston team that is clicking on all cylinders, should be a fall classic. MVP: Manny Machado. Dodgers in seven.
