Fuck you Roberts. You're the Mike Tomlin of MLB managers. You coast off of elite talent and nothing more. You are garbage.
So analytical time.
This is going to be even more entertaining than last year's series. For different reasons though. These two teams are some of the most evenly matched I've ever seen.
The Dodgers seemed to have learned from their previous mistakes from last year roster wise. They did not acquire another pitcher at the deadline and still have a strong bullpen.. Because some of their pen would be good starters elsewhere. Maeda, Urias, and Wood would be #2s elsewhere(With Urias having an incredibly high ceiling). Wood was even an all star last year and is still a damn good pitcher. They didn't need to acquire another pitcher: Walker Buehler looks like a future ace and the guy who is going to replace Kershaw one day, which marks the fourth consecutive year that the Dodgers have brought up an all star caliber rookie. Rich Hill is still a high-end #2 stallwart, and Ryu has returned form the dead. That four man rotation is likely the best in baseball, as Clayton Kershaw, although clearly beggining his decline, is still the ace we all know him to be. Kanley Jensen is still an elite closer. Ryan Madison has been quality for them.
The hitting has also somehow improved. Max Muncy has come right the hell out of nowhere to become a guy who hits dingers for a living. Matt Kemp has revived his career and while he's been slumping, he is still good. Justin Turner is still the same player who hits just about everything in site. Joc Pederson and Puig are proving themselves to be post season players. Then come in the acquisitions. Your young, stud shortstop goes out for the year with Tommy John surgery? No problem, just go trade for the best shortstop in baseball. You don't even give up one of your elite prospects either, you have so much money and an elite farm system. Second base woes? Go get golden glove winner Dozier. Injuries in the outfield? Simple solution, move Bellinger to CF and acquire postseason beast David Freese. Grandal being horrifically bad? Not a problem, Austin Barnes would be a starter on 70% of the league's teams anyways. Pound for pound, the most talented roster in baseball...
And they're still going to fucking lose because of the genius of Dave Roberts.
Now for the Red Sox.
Chris Sale has been the ace they acquired two years ago. He has overtaken Kershaw as the best lefty in the league. The rest of their staff is still impressive. David Price is not the guy he used to be anymore, but as their #3, he's good. Rick Porcello was a Cy Young winner just two years ago(even if Verlander was the one who really deserved it), and Eovaldi is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball. The offense needs no true introduction. Kimbrel is an elite closer and the bullpen is quality. Doesn't help that the majority of the Sox's offense consists of all star players. The Sox have the best offense in baseball bar none. Bates, JBJ, Moreland, JD Martinez. All studs in their own right. Even the best pitching in the world would struggle.
Dodgers bullpen aside from three pitchers is terrible. They're going to need each pitcher to eat 8 innings each respectively if they want a chance.
Overall
Pitching: LA> Red Sox
Hitting: LA<Red Sox
Bullpen: LA<Red Sox
Manager: LA<<<<Red Sox
Sox in five. Fuck you Roberts