The 2018 World Series is finally set http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-willie-stargell-jersey , with the Los Angeles Dodgers advancing from the National League Championship Series to take on the Boston Red Sox.After winning a franchise-record 108 games during the regular season, the Red Sox have carried that success over to the postseason. They have gone 7-2 in their two series victories over the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, putting them in prime position to win a fourth World Series title since 2004.The Dodgers are the first National League team to play in back-to-back World Series since the 2008-09 Philadelphia Phillies. After coming up short in last year's Fall Classic against the Astros, they will look to end the franchise's 30-year championship drought. 2018 World Series ScheduleGame 1 (Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red SoxGame 2 (Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red SoxGame 3 (Friday, Oct. 26 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Red Sox at DodgersGame 4 (Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Red Sox at DodgersGame 5* (Sunday, Oct. 28 at 8:15 p.m. ET): Red Sox at DodgersGame 6* (Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red SoxGame 7* (Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red Sox*If necessary PreviewEarly betting odds for the World Series favor the Red Sox to raise their ninth championship flag in franchise history.Per OddsShark, Boston is currently receiving -130 odds (bet $130 to win $100).Despite leading MLB with 108 wins during the regular season, the Red Sox started the playoffs with significant questions about their pitching staff. Their relievers' ERA of 3.72 ranked seventh out of 10 playoff teams.After Boston closed out Houston in the ALCS Barry Bonds Jersey , the middle relievers out of the bullpen turned into a huge asset. Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes have combined to allow five hits and one run with 11 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.Brasier, in particular, has been an unsung hero for manager Alex Cora. The 31-year-old had a 1.60 ERA in 34 games this season, his first full year in the big leagues."He's been amazing for us," Cora told reporters after Game 4 against the Astros. "He's a great story. Everybody knows about it. "Attacks the zone, gets swings and misses in the zone. Expands it and that was another guy that we knew in October he could give us multiple innings, more than three outs. And tonight he was outstanding."Boston's starting rotation looks more dangerous now. Chris Sale is healthy and set to start Game 1 after missing Game 5 against Houston through illness, while David Price should play Game 2 after securing his first playoff win as a starter with six shutout innings on Thursday against Houston.Offense hasn't been a problem for the Red Sox all year. Their 56 runs scored are 14 more than any other team in the playoffs. They led MLB in runs scored (876), hits (1,509), doubles (355), batting average (.268), on-base percentage (.339) and slugging percentage (.453) during the regular season.Because the Red Sox are able to score in bunches http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-roberto-clemente-jersey , their pitching staff doesn't have to be great for them to win. Getting both sides playing at their peak at this stage of the postseason is why they are favored to win a World Series.Unlike the Red Sox, the Dodgers have been unable to carry their offensive success from the regular season over the playoffs. Their 235 homers during the season led the NL, but they were complemented by a lineup that ranked third in MLB with a .774 OPS.During the playoffs, Los Angeles' .667 OPS is the worst among the four teams that made it to the league championship series.The Dodgers will also have to correct their hitting against left-handed pitching if they want to win their first World Series title since 1988. Their OPS was 63 points lower against southpaws (.733) than it was against right-handed pitching (.796) in the regular season.The upside for Los Angeles is Boston only had one left-handed reliever on the ALCS roster鈥擡duardo Rodriguez鈥攕o if the NL champs can get Price and Sale out of the game early, their lineup will have a decided advantage.This World Series will also be the latest in a series of litmus tests for Clayton Kershaw, though his playoff struggles have always been overblown:Jon Weisman jonweismanClayton Kershaws start today went from red to yellow to orange to green, as in great. In a polarizing postseason career, this was Kershaws 11th career start allowing two runs or fewer. #Dodgers #NLCS #MLB 6pWAd255PaKershaw can erase every playoff narrative that's ever been written about him if he's able to shut down this Boston lineup to get the Dodgers back to the top of the MLB mountain.The Red Sox have been the best team in MLB all season. They have already defeated two teams in the playoffs that won at least 100 games during the regular season.Nothing about Boston's playoff run to this point suggests a letdown is coming in the World Series. After waiting 86 years between championships before 2004, the Red Sox are embarking on a modern-day dynasty if they can win a fourth title in 14 years. Masahiro Tanaka is one of the three candidates to start the New York Yankees‘ wild card game against the Oakland A’s next week.As speculation flies — among J.A. Happ, Luis Severino and Tanaka — manager Aaron Boone hasn’t let the world know who it will be. Could it depend on where the game is played? They know the opponent, but you can’t have any more difference in ballparks than the one between Yankee Stadium and the Oakland Coliseum.Tanaka, who faces the Rays in the third game of a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop Wednesday, would have almost a full week off before next Wednesday’s wild card game — and has always benefited from extra rest.Article continues below ...The Yankees used a seven-run third inning to cruise to a 9-2 victory Tuesday night — their 97th win of the season Kent Tekulve Jersey , Severino winning his 19th of the year.New York is 2 1/2 games ahead of Oakland for the AL wild-card home-field advantage after the Athletics lost 10-8 in 11 innings against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.Tanaka, 12-5 with a 3.67 ERA on the season, is coming off a rough start against the Red Sox in New York. He is 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA lifetime against the A’s — 1-1 with a 4.91 in two starts in Oakland.The right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.20 ERA against Tampa Bay this season, 8-3 with a 3.56 in 13 career starts against the Rays, 4-2 with a 4.41 at the Trop.Monday, Boone said, “I think a lot of people have read too much into how Happ is set up right now.“Happ is very much in the picture as a possibility for us and one of those good choices … but how it lines up right now isn’t by design or anything.”Ryne Stanek will be the “opener” for the Rays Wednesday, with Yonny Chirinos getting the bulk of the work in relief.Meanwhile, there were all kinds of medical updates for the Yankees, who seem to lose a player every day at the very worst time.Didi Gregorius, who suffered torn right wrist cartilage diving into home plate Saturday, continued to feel better and even took grounders — without throwing — Tuesday. He sees the doctor Wednesday, manager Aaron Boone saying http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-bill-mazeroski-jersey , “Hopefully that goes well, and it moves thereafter, but until that happens I think we’re all kind of speculating a little bit.“(Wednesday) is a big day. It’s been exciting to hear that he seems like he’s improving every day and you see the optimism with Didi, but I think he’ll see the doctor and then he can get a bat in his hand and really test it out.”Aaron Hicks, who left Monday’s game with left hamstring tightness, had a successful MRI but will rest at least until the club goes to Boston for the weekend. Boone said, “we feel like we dodged a bullet.”More trouble: Gleyber Torres was scratched Tuesday with tightness in his groin, expected miss just one game. “I thought it was the smart thing to do,” the manager said. “He’ll be available. I don’t think it’s a big deal. He certainly felt like he could have played, but I think it’s the right thing to do.”For the Rays, Ji-Man Choi made his debut at first base after playing exclusively as a DH and pinch hitter. But he only got as far as the third inning, leaving the game with concussion-like symptoms and an ear laceration after a collision at home plate with Gary Sanchez. Choi was bloodied and needed stitches in his ear.Before the game, the Rays announced catcher Michael Perez Dave Parker Jersey , who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 31 with a hamstring injury, will not make it back this week after a setback.“I think Mikie, probably his season has come to an end, which is unfortunate,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Fluke play that happened. And I think we all, himself included, thought he would be back in shorter time. But for whatever reason, (that) hasn’t responded.”C.J. Cron is 3-for-6 (.500), Kevin Kiermaier 7-for-22 (.318) with a home run and Carlos Gomez 3-for-10 (.300) lifetime against Tanaka, while Matt Duffy is 1-for-7 (.143) and Mallex Smith 2-for-11 (.182).