Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Kershaw, Roberts, Machado

The Dodgers and the Red Sox are just 24 hours removed from the first game of the World Series. It will be the first time the two teams face off since 1916 when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn and Babe Ruth was the ace of staff for the Sox. The series will be a shootout between two teams with firepower offenses and strong pitching as well as managers who were teammates in their time on the Dodgers.

The series kicks off on Tuesday with a battle between the aces. Clayton Kershaw was officially named Tuesday’s starter for LA and he will face off against Chris Sale. Kershaw has had a pretty good postseason, posting two excellent starts, one rough one, and a great relief appearance to end game seven of the NLCS. Kershaw will not be tasked with facing the best lineup in baseball, a lineup he will have to keep at bay to give his team a chance at winning. On the other side of the ball, Chris Sale will look to give the Dodger hitting fits. The 28-year old lefty has been outstanding this season and, providing his belly-button piercing has no effect on him, will be a tough task for the Dodgers.

Other notes…

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• Dave Roberts is heading into his second consecutive World Series where he will try to redeem himself for last year’s blunders. Roberts, a third-year manager, has piloted his team to an NLCS and two World Series since taking over the job from Don Mattingly but, the 46-year old is yet to win a ring. Roberts returns to Boston in search of the pennant and it will be his first time back in Fenway as a manager since he stole the most famous base in the history of baseball. Roberts should get a hero’s welcome on Tuesday and deservingly so.
• Also worth note on the Roberts front, he has a team option waiting for a decision. Roberts has been wildly successful in Los Angeles but some nay-sayers argue that has not been a good decision maker. The team has said an extension will be discussed.

• Manny Machado will return to Fenway with some history. Machado has a past with Chris Sale, Rick Porcello and reliever Matt Barnes. The beef started last season when Machado, then the Orioles third baseman, slid into second base injuring Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox pitching staff defended their player by throwing at Machado but was subsequently taken deep by the then 25-year old infielder. When asked about the incident, Chris Sale said there will be no bad blood between the two during the World Series as, “there are much bigger things for us to be worrying about.”