Dodgers vs. Red Sox World Series: Which Team Has The Better Pitching Staff?

Now that the champagne has been put on ice, it's back to business for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. The two teams meet Tuesday at Fenway Park in Boston for Game 1 of the World Series and there will be ample attention paid to both pitching staffs.

In a best-of-seven series, which team has the advantage? Here's a general breakdown on both staffs.

Starting Pitching

The Red Sox will likely use Chris Sale, David Price, Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello, while the Dodgers will counter with Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler and Rich Hill.

Price is coming off his first win as a starter, while Porcello is probably the weakest starter in the group. But the Sox have Sale, one of baseball's best pitchers, and Eovaldi has a commanding fastball, which means a lot since both could pitch twice in the series. This group did more than a serviceable job against the Houston Astros' top bats.

Kershaw over his career has had his ups and downs in the postseason, but he is still an extraordinary talent. Ryu looked shaky in his last start, but has been exceptional this season. The question marks are the rookie Buehler and the veteran Hill, though both have been very good in the recent outings. Buehler is coming off an excellent start in Game 7 on the road.

Edge: Slightly for Dodgers

Relief Pitching

Is Craig Kimbrel going to return to his former self? Has Kenley Jansen effectively overcome his past struggles? These questions will probably be answered in the World Series.

Boston's bullpen exceeded expectations in the American League Championship Series. Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree are Alex Cora's four weapons. This group is also experienced, which is important this deep into the postseason. Eduardo Rodriguez remains the big unknown and will likely be called upon in long relief.

The Dodgers don't have a true setup man, but they make up for it with excellent depth. Dylan Floro is clearly the most underrated pitcher in the group and veteran Ryan Madson has been sharp in recent games. If there is a concern it's a pair of young lefties: Caleb Ferguson and Julio Urias. Overall, Dave Roberts can feel confident that he can find the right reliever in the right situation against Boston's elite bats.

Edge: Dodgers

Pitching At Home

Fenway Park favors hitters, while Dodger Stadium favors pitchers.

Sale, who recovered from a stomach illness, had the same stellar ERA (2.11) at home and on the road. It might be tough for the Dodgers to hit the ace at Fenway, especially after his long rest. Price is also much better at home than on the road.

But the overall numbers don't support Boston pitching at home. The Red Sox have a 5.25 ERA at home during the postseason and had the 13th-best home ERA (3.76) during the regular season.

Dodger pitchers seem to thrive at Dodger Stadium but they will be facing a potent lineup, including J.D. Martinez who has crushed L.A. pitching at Chavez Ravine. Martinez, a former Arizona Diamondback, has four homers in his last 14 at-bats at Dodger Stadium. However, Martinez has never faced Buehler, for example, who has a 1.93 ERA at home.

The Dodgers have a 1.29 ERA at home during the postseason and led the Majors with a 3.12 ERA at home during the regular season.

Edge: Dodgers

Pitching On The Road

American League pitchers get the benefit of not throwing to a designated hitter.

A pair of pitchers stand out for how they may pitch on the road. Hill, a Boston native who battled injuries while a member of the Red Sox, could be effective at Fenway. The lefty has posted similar numbers at home and on the road.

Eovaldi, who made his MLB debut with the Dodgers, could be a force at Dodger Stadium if Cora decides to pitch him there. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 2.06 ERA at home and a 5.14 ERA on the road during the regular season.

Porcello has a 3.86 ERA on the road, which is stronger than how he's pitched at Fenway.

Statistics aside, the Red Sox staff must be drooling at the idea of taking the mound at pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium after the grueling games they've had in the AL East.

Edge: Red Sox

Overall

The Red Sox have had to deal with the New York Yankees and their loaded lineup, yet they found a way to come out on top during the regular season as well as during the ALDS. It's hard to bet against them.

But the Dodgers have historically relied on pitching to keep them competitive and this group doesn't have any real weakness. In tight games and ones that go into extra innings, Los Angeles seems to have the advantage.

Edge: Slightly for Dodgers