Mookie Betts returns to Fenway Park Friday night for a three-game series against his former team. The Dodgers are in first place; however, the Boston Red Sox are fighting for their lives to stay in the wild-card race for the playoffs. Two teams at two different points, and an old familiar face will be the headlines in Boston this weekend. Shohei Ohtani will be looking to continue making history as he looks to homer in his sixth straight game to put him on top in the Dodgers’ record books in that category. Mookie and the Dodgers have been to Fenway before, but it’s always special, as it’s something that does not happen every year. Here is the series preview from LADR.
Game 1:
The Dodgers will send Emmet Sheehan, who has a 4.41 ERA, to the bump to face off against the Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello, whose ERA is 3.23. The only batter to have faced Sheehan is Alex Bregman, with only one at-bat, and he is 0-1 against him. The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani have the best numbers against Bello, and both are hitting .500 against him. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM PST on Sportsnet LA.
Game 2:
This game will be a marquee event featuring a legend in Clayton Kershaw and the Red Sox’s ace, Garrett Crochet. Kershaw is supporting a 3.27 ERA, and Crochet has a 2.19 ERA. Against Kershaw, Alex Bregman and Trevor Story have the highest average against the left-hander at .333 and .348, respectively. A few Dodgers have faced Crochet, with Mookie Betts hitting .1000 against the left-hander, followed by Freddie Freeman, who is hitting .600 against him. Andy Pages has an average of .500, and Miguel Rojas is batting .333. First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 PM PST on FOX.
Game 3:
The finale of the three-game series will feature the Dodgers’ Dustin May, who has a 4.73 ERA, going against a former Dodger, Walker Buehler, who has struggled this season with a 5.72 ERA. Facing off against their former teammate will be an interesting twist, and the Dodgers should win this game if Buehler’s struggles continue. Against May, the only Red Sox to face him are Alex Bregman, who is hitless, and Trevor Story, who has a .125 average against the right-hander. The current Dodgers who have hit Buehler the best are Miguel Rojas, who is hitting .286. Michael Conforto, who has an average of .222, and Freddie Freeman, who has an average of .125. Worth noting, Ohtani has only had two at-bats against Buehler but is 0-2. First Pitch is scheduled for 10:35 AM PST on Sportsnet LA.
Prediction:
My prediction is that the Dodgers will take this series, possibly even sweeping their opponent. Friday and Sunday’s games are a good bet for a Dodger victory, and Saturday’s will be fun and quite possibly a toss-up. Could I be wrong? Absolutely, but my Dodger heart says a sweep sure sounds nice. Recaps will be coming after each game and posted right here on LADR. Happy Thursday, Dodger Nation, and we will see you tomorrow!
