Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game 5: Betting Odds, Prediction, Pitching Preview For World Series Matchup

The Boston Red Sox staged an epic comeback Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series, overcoming a 4-0 deficit entering the top of the 7th inning to win 9-6 and move within a win of their fourth title in 14 years. The two teams meet Sunday in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium with Los Angeles looking to send the series back to Boston.

It will be a battle of star southpaws in Game 5 with Clayton Kershaw and David Price taking the mound. While both pitchers boast Cy Young awards on their resume, they've had their share of ups and down in the postseason.

Kershaw allowed five runs in four innings in Game 1 but could be due for a rebound performance Sunday. In the postseason this year, the Dodgers ace has allowed just one run over 15 innings at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw's career-postseason ERA is 4.28 over 145 innings and the 30-year-old has a 9-9 record.

Price is coming off another excellent postseason start. In Game 2, Price allowed just two earned runs over six innings in Boston's win. Against the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, Price sent the Red Sox to the World Series with a six-inning shutout.

But Price has had plenty of postseason woes. In 2018, he had back-to-back poor outings against the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series and the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the ALCS. Over his postseason career, Price has a 4.87 ERA in 92 1/3 innings.

Price also enters Game 5 after having thrown 13 pitches in Game 3.

But the bigger question mark might be the bullpens. The Dodgers squandered an excellent performance by Game 4 starter Rich Hill, who allowed just one hit over 6 1/3 innings. Manager Dave Roberts elected to have 12 pitchers on his World Series roster but on Saturday all six relievers conceded at least one earned run.

Red Sox Game 4 starter Eduardo Rodriguez allowed four earned runs over 5 1/3 innings but manager Alex Cora was bailed out by reliever Joe Kelly, who helped seal the win by shutting out the Dodgers over two innings. However, the Dodgers looked almost poised for an unlikely comeback of their own in the bottom of the ninth, as closer Craig Kimbrel gave up a two-run homer to Enrique Hernandez and looked shaky against other batters.

How Cora and Roberts would handle their bullpens was the key storyline entering the World Series, and it could overflow into Game 5.

As for the bats, Manny Machado appears to due for a breakout game with just four hits in 18 at-bats in the World Series. The star shortstop also hasn't had an RBI since Game 1.

Machado could fare well against Price, as he has hit left-handers better than right-handers in 2018 with a .921 OPS against lefties compared to a .897 OPS against right-handers. He had a single, a pop out and a fly out against Price in Game 2.

The Red Sox have received little production in the World Series from MVP candidate Mookie Betts. He is batting just .207 and has struck out 12 times in 58 at-bats.

Betts singled to shallow center to start Game 1 against Kershaw and also had a walk and a strikeout. During the regular season, Betts had a 1.207 OPS against lefties, which is an improvement over his 1.037 OPS against right-handers.

Boston is looking for yet another World Series after a title drought that began after 1918. The Red Sox won titles in 2004, 2007 and 2013.

In Game 5, the Dodgers are favored -135, while the Red Sox are the underdogs at +125, according to Westgate SuperBook. The over/under is 7.5 runs.

Prediction: The Dodgers might have a little more fight in them in Game 5. Kershaw is at home and rested, while Price may have some trouble going deep into this elimination game. Boston clearly is in position to win the World Series but L.A. may do enough Sunday to keep the series going.

Dodgers over Red Sox, 4-2