While the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the World Series, they did so in a vastly different role than last season. Instead of boasting the best record from the regular season and therefore home-field advantage throughout the postseason, that instead belongs to the Boston Red Sox.
They became the 12th team to win at least 108 games during a single season, and are one of seven American League clubs to accomplish as much. Boston has taken that success into October, where they’re 10-2 heading into Game 2 on Wednesday night.
For the Dodgers to end a 30-year World Series drought, they will need to get at least one win at Fenway Park. Having dropped the opener, they now face the prospect of falling into a difficult 2-0 series hole.
That’s not a position Brian Dozier believes the team can afford to put themselves in, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“If we can split, go home tied, we’re in pretty good shape,” said Brian Dozier. “Can’t lose two games here, I don’t think.”
With the Red Sox starting Chris Sale in Game 1 followed by David Price in Game 2, Dozier has found himself not only in the lineup but batting leadoff for both contests.
He went 1-for-2 with a walk and strikeout before being pinch-hit for by Max Muncy in Game 1. Having spent his entire career in the American League before getting traded, Dozier has experience against Sale and Price, and with playing at Fenway Park, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts appears to be banking on.
