Los Angeles Visits Boston To Open The World Series

Then there were two.

The Los Angeles Dodgers who are a member of the National League West are returning to the World Series for the second year in a row where they will take on Boston in a seven game series.

Clayton Kershaw will start the opener for Los Angeles. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 9-5 with a 2.73 earn run average. As for his postseason stats this season, he comes into the game with a record of 2-1 with a 2.37 earn run average. “according to https://www.mlb.com/player/clayton-kershaw-477132 Kershaw employed his breaking balls masterfully while winning Game 5 and closing out Game 7 of the NLCS, and he got some extra prep work in the Fenway Park bullpen Sunday. The ace struck out 11 Astros while winning Game 1 of the 2017 World Series. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=la He will oppose Boston left-hander Chris Sale who comes into the game with a record of 12-4 with a 2.11 earn run average. As for his postseason stats this season he has a record of 1-0. “according to https://www.mlb.com/player/chris-sale-519242 The ace is ready to experience the thrill of pitching in the World Series for the first time. Sale will try to avenge his laborious start in Game 1 of the ALCS. This will be his first matchup vs. the Dodgers since a 2012 no-decision in L.A. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=la

As for how Boston advanced to the World Series, They beat last years World Series champion Houston in five games in the American League Championship Series.

Behind Price's first win in 12 career postseason starts -- and home runs by J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers -- Boston dethroned the defending World Series champion Astros with a 4-1 victory. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

It was sweet for everyone with the Red Sox, but it had to taste the best for Price, who went to sleep late Wednesday with a visualization that turned to reality. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"My last thought last night before I went to bed was probably a little bit different," Price said. "The night before I pitch, I'm just envisioning myself making pitches, and last night I envisioned myself doing this [clubhouse celebration] right here. Just going through my head, [I thought of] what I was going to say, and I'm happy that it happened." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Never again will Price have to talk about having zero playoff wins as a starter. The reality of that hit Price immediately, and that thought was sweeter for the 33-year-old than the champagne that drenched him repeatedly in the victorious clubhouse. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"That's cool. That's awesome," Price said. "I don't have to prepare myself for that in Spring Training, February 20th or when September rolls around every year and I've still got five regular-season starts left. I don't have to answer that question anymore, so that feels good." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Jackie Bradley Jr. -- who delivered a go-ahead three-run double in Game 2 in Boston, punctuated an 8-2 win in Game 3 with an eighth-inning grand slam and launched a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning of Game 4 -- was named the ALCS Most Valuable Player. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Now it will be the Red Sox, led by rookie manager Alex Cora, who represent the AL in the World Series, which will start on Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Dodgers or Brewers. This is the first trip to the Fall Classic since 2013 for Boston, which has a chance to win its fourth championship ('13, '07, '04) in 15 seasons since ending that infamous 86-year drought. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"Huge," said Martinez. "That's one of the best feelings in the world. To be bringing a World Series opportunity back to [the fans of Boston] and an American League championship to Boston, I'm sure they're going nuts back home." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Pitching on three days' rest after a start for the first time in his career -- and filling in for ace Chris Sale, who is recovering from a stomach illness -- Price mowed through the Astros, using a dominant changeup to keep them off-balance. Over six innings, the lefty allowed three hits and no runs while walking none and notching nine strikeouts, his career best in the postseason. Price threw 93 pitches and generated 15 swings and misses, 12 coming on changeups. He outdueled Houston ace Justin Verlander, who was on regular rest, by a wide margin. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"There was a lot of noise," said Cora. "I was saying today that -- I don't want to pick battles with the media, but I heard somebody today on TV just blasting David, blasting him, calling him the worst pitcher in the postseason. Yeah, the numbers are there, I know, but he was saying this -- he didn't hesitate, saying it was a bad matchup, one of the greatest against the worst and all that. I don't listen too much to what's going on outside, but that one got me." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

This time, Price had the last laugh, and he soaked up every bit of it. After the trophy presentation, Price was the first player out of the Red Sox's clubhouse. He walked to a barricade where all the families of Boston's players were. When they saw Price, they all roared. Price hugged his wife, Tiffany, and held his 17-month-old son, Xavier. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"That's my rock, so that's cool," Price said of embracing his family. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Fittingly, the performance came one day shy of the 10th anniversary of Price's other signature moment in the playoffs, when he earned a clutch save for the Rays against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS. Cora started that night at shortstop for Boston. On Thursday, the manager enjoyed his 43rd birthday by watching Price dominate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

This is Price's first trip to the World Series since that 2008 season, when he was a September callup and his team lost to the Phillies. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

To have it happen this way, just a day after Price threw 40 pitches in the bullpen in case he was needed in the late stages of a wild Game 4, was surreal. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

He's right at the top step every time someone hits a home run," Martinez said of Price. "We all know his history and stuff like that, so for him, we're so proud of him. To be able to do what he did today on short rest, he picked us up. He carried us." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

This ALCS was built up as a clash of the titans between clubs that combined for 211 wins during the regular season, and both looked imposing in the AL Division Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

After losing Game 1, and looking disjointed in doing so, the Red Sox regained the dominance they displayed throughout much of the season and took four straight from the Astros, including the last two at Minute Maid Park. Boston is 5-0 on the road in this postseason, marking the first time it has won five straight road games in a single playoff run. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"We ran out of wins. We had a tough-fought series," said Houston manager AJ Hinch. "They took it to us. When you get two evenly matched teams up against each other, there's going to be swings in momentum and big at-bats and a little bit of luck, a little bit of bad luck. And they outplayed us. They did a really good job of having an excellent game plan and going and executing it and they were extremely tough." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Price came out dealing. In the fourth, he threw his second- and third-hardest pitches of the season (95.8 and 95.5 mph) during a strikeout of Carlos Correa. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

The final pitch of the night for Price was a changeup that he struck out Jose Altuve. Knowing he was done for the night, and that his first postseason win as a starter was finally in his grasp, Price pumped his fist and shouted with joy as he went back to the dugout. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"Six shutout inning against the world champs with nine punchouts and three hits," said Price, reflecting on the excitement that hit him after he threw his final pitch. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

With Cora's bullpen pretty well spent after a busy few days, he went to righty Matt Barnes for the first two outs of the seventh. After Marwin Gonzalez finally put the Astros on the board with a homer and Barnes walked Tony Kemp, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi came out of the 'pen just two days after throwing 92 pitches in his win in Game 3. Eovaldi also took care of the eighth, and closer Craig Kimbrel finished it with his third save of the series, though the first two were more adventurous than he wanted. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"We found a few things last night after the game," said Kimbrel. "Some stuff I've been struggling with for a while. I feel like I was able to hone it in tonight, get back online and pitch like I'm supposed to."“according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Though the end result made it look like Boston won the series in a romp, it sure didn't start that way. When the Red Sox got to the ballpark for Game 2 at Fenway Park, there was an urgency to salvage a split before the ALCS shifted to Houston. Price started that game, and though he came one out shy of qualifying for the win, he made some big pitches and left with a lead. With the Sox winning Game 2, it marked the first time his team had won a postseason game he started. Price called it a baby step. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

So what was the clinching victory in Game 5? “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
J.D. strikes first: Martinez helped the Red Sox break out first for the fourth straight game, though they waited until the third inning this time. That was when Martinez smoked a one-out solo shot to left on a curveball in the upper part of the strike zone by Verlander. Martinez's first homer of the ALCS had a Statcast-projected exit velocity of 105.4 mph and traveled a projected 396 feet, clanging off a sign above the seats. The Sox are 80-5 this season when they score first, including 6-0 in the postseason. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Huge, obviously," said Martinez. "He's one of those guys, you've got to get him rattled. You've got to have traffic. You've got to have something to just get him out of that groove. When he gets in that grove, he's tough, man. There's a reason he's one of the best pitchers in the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

Devers strikes second: Martinez's missile was the only run of the game until the sixth. That was when Verlander served up a leadoff double to Mitch Moreland, a single by Ian Kinsler and then a huge three-run homer to the opposite field in left by Devers that gave Boston a 4-0 lead. Devers got enough of Verlander's 98.2-mph heater to get it over the wall. It wasn't an easy pitch to hit, as it had a 2,805 rpm spin rate. MLB hitters combined to hit just four home runs in the regular season off 4-seamers with 98+ mph and 2,600+ rpm. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

"Devers hit his decent. It's unfortunate that it went out," said Verlander. "He put a decent swing on it. It's not until I get back and see the exit velo that I know it wasn't hit as good as I thought. He hit it well. But it's the Moreland one that was kind of debilitating, just out of the reach of the left fielder to lead off an inning, when we're already down a run. That's tough to deal with." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

SOUND SMART
With his third career homer in postseason play before the age of 22, Devers is tied for fourth all-time on that list with Andruw Jones, trailing only Mickey Mantle, Bryce Harper and Miguel Cabrera, who all had four. Price became the first AL pitcher working on three or fewer days of rest to record at least six shutout innings in a postseason game since Mike Mussina for the Orioles in Game 6 of the 1997 ALCS against the Indians. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

HE SAID IT
"It hasn't sunk in yet, honestly. It's something you dream about as a kid, playing in the World Series, and now we are. Our job's not finished yet. We still have four more wins. We're going to play a good team regardless of who we play. We're going to enjoy this tonight and get after that in two days." -- Andrew Benintendi, on going to the World Series “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/price-pitches-red-sox-into-world-series/c-298316272

As for how Los Angeles advanced to the World Series, they beat Milwaukee in seven games in the National League Championship Series.

Corey Seager's elbow blew out, and the Dodgers found a way. The entire starting rotation went on the disabled list, and they found a way. Kenley Jansen's heart raced, and they found a way. They even found a way to overcome a nine-game deficit in the National League West. And on Saturday, the Dodgers found their way back to the World Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

With rookie starter Walker Buehler poised under pressure, NLCS MVP Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig launching crowd-silencing homers at Miller Park and Chris Taylor pulling off a miracle catch in left field, the Dodgers eliminated the Brewers in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series, 5-1, and will play the Red Sox in the World Series starting Tuesday night in Boston. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"Every single person in this room has their fingerprints on this season," said Dave Roberts, who will be managing against his former Dodgers teammate, Boston's Alex Cora. "We haven't accomplished our goal yet. Four more wins. Let's go." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

The Dodgers are going to back-to-back World Series for the first time since 1977-78, when they lost both times to the Yankees. They'll be trying for their first World Series win since 1988, which was clinched 30 years ago to the day, the same year they last won a Game 7 in the NLCS against the Mets. This one secured their 20th appearance in the Fall Classic, tying the Giants for the most in the NL. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"We found a way to get it done again," said Justin Turner. "You saw big swings from two guys [Bellinger and Puig] that didn't have the success this year they wanted. Walker Buehler gave us almost five innings, Ryan Madson is the unsung hero of the entire postseason and our bullpen was outstanding in a series when their bullpen got a lot of the press, a lot of attention. Our guys stepped up and got it done." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

The Dodgers' bullpen, outpitching a more celebrated Brewers bullpen, finished it off with 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Jansen struck out three of the four batters he faced, then handed the baton to Game 5 winner Clayton Kershaw, who struck out Mike Moustakas and was in the middle of the dogpile. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"Where we came from this year, it's a testament to these guys," said Kershaw. "It's a great group, we're excited, we're going to celebrate but we don't want to lose again, so we'll be ready to go." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

Los Angeles' bullpen had a 1.45 ERA in the series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

All the heavy punches we took all season about the bullpen, including myself, and here we are celebrating," said Jansen. "We win another National League championship and we're going to the World Series. It was harder from the start and feels so much sweeter than last year." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

General manager Farhan Zaidi echoed Jansen's analysis. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"We really had our backs to the wall in this game," he said. "Easy wasn't really in our playbook, so it was fitting it took us until Game 7. It was more of a joyride last year." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

Like everything else this season, though, the Game 7 victory was tougher than it looked. Milwaukee scored first on Christian Yelich's homer, his second extra-base hit and first RBI of the series, on a 98 mph Buehler fastball in the first inning. Teams scoring first in a winner-take-all Game 7 had been 36-19 and 11-5 in Game 7 of the LCS. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

But Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacin couldn't hold the lead for even a half-inning. Manny Machado, with boos echoing through Miller Park, shocked everybody by perfectly bunting a 3-2 hanging slider for a leadoff infield single in the second. Bellinger, batting .190 at the time, followed by crushing a two-run homer projected by Statcast™ at 425 feet for a 2-1 lead. Add that to the dazzling catch and walk-off hit to win the 13-inning Game 4 and Bellinger was named MVP. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

Before the top of the second ended, Milwaukee started warming up its most lethal weapon, Josh Hader, and after the inning ended, Kershaw walked from the dugout to the Dodgers' bullpen. And the plot thickened. Hader entered to start the third inning. He put up three zeros for the second time in the series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

But it was Taylor -- co-MVP of last year's NLCS -- who at least matched Bellinger's catch in Game 4 with a spectacularly circuitous, lunging, sliding, over-the-shoulder catch of what would have been a game-tying double by Yelich with two outs in the fifth inning, saving L.A. reliever Julio Urias, brought in specifically to retire Yelich. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"At that point in time, I thought the game was tied," said Roberts. "But C.T. gets a great break on the ball, and really a game-saving play." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"That was the catch of the year," said Bellinger, who held the title for three games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

Urias, pitching back to back for the first time in his life, also was pitching the day after the death of his grandmother, revealed to the team in the clubhouse by Enrique Hernandez before the champagne celebration began. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

The catch should put Taylor right there with Bellinger and Brooklyn's Al Gionfriddo and Sandy Amoros for the most crucial defensive plays in Dodgers postseason history. Usually soft-spoken and mild-mannered, Taylor made, for him, a scene celebrating. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"You could feel the tension in the stands," he explained. "The stadium was going crazy, Julio facing the MVP and the tying run on second." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

That set up the key blow in the sixth after Max Muncy and Turner singled and Bellinger beat out a double-play grounder, as Puig hit a three-run blast off Jeremy Jeffress, who called Turner "lucky" after his Game 2-winning homer off Jeffress. Puig was 3-for-4. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

Buehler struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings. Madson followed Urias for five outs and was credited with the victory, Jansen came on with two outs in the seventh and Kershaw pitched the ninth, his first postseason relief outing since Game 7 of last year's World Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

"I think [World Series] Game 7 last year prepared us for Game 7 tonight," said catcher Austin Barnes. "If you make it bigger than it is, it works against you. I think we learned that last year. We executed." “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Machado, who felt Chacin was quick-pitching him, effortlessly dropped a ridiculously perfect bunt single on a 3-2 pitch, which hadn't been done by anybody in any big league game since 2014. It silenced a crowd that had been raucously booing Machado and maybe it rattled Chacin, who served up the go-ahead home run to the next batter, Bellinger.”according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

SOUND SMART
Puig is the third Cuban player to homer in a Game 7, joining Tony Perez (1975 World Series) and Bert Campaneris ('73 World Series). “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
If Bellinger doesn't beat out the double-play grounder with one out in the sixth inning, Puig doesn't come up to slug the three-run homer. Statcast™ timed Bellinger's sprint speed from home to first at 30.5 feet per second (30.0 is considered elite). “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

HE SAID IT
"Puig was right." -- Barnes, on his teammate's prediction on a World Series return “according to https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-beat-brewers-nlcs-game-7-reach-ws/c-299398038

First pitch is set for 8:09pm from Fenway Park. The game will be televised on Fox. “according to https://www.mlb.com/postseason