Why the Red Sox and Dodgers will meet again in 2019
Now that the champagne has dried and the Winter Meetings are underway, it’s time to look forward to 2019. Early odds have the Red Sox and Dodgers as heavy favorites to return to the World Series and I can’t find a reason why it’s not possible.
The Red Sox and the Dodgers slugged it out over a 5 game series that was ultimately won by Boston. During the series, we saw great pitching efforts, powerful home runs, and some flashy glove work. Both teams went out and did everything they could to try and walk away with the Commissioner’s Trophy.
For the second year in a row, Los Angeles would fall to the American League Champion. The 2018 campaign was a historic one for the Red Sox, setting a new franchise record for wins and running roughshod over the American League all season.
So now we’ve got the Winter Meetings ongoing and soon enough the call for pitchers and catchers will be made. And just like that, we’re back into the thick of things and defending our newly won World Championship.
The Sox have made a few moves this offseason with the re-signings of World Series heroes Steve Pearce and Nathan Eovaldi. The Dodgers have also been busy since the end of the season, extending Manager Dave Roberts while also wheeling and dealing for new toys.
Now it isn’t a clear shot for both teams to return to the Fall Classic as a familiar foe of both stands in the way, Houston. Boston and Houston are tied as the top favorite to win the Series in 2019 with Los Angeles coming in right behind. So the early betting odds are leaning towards the last two winners and the loser of the last two years. Not surprising based on how the last two seasons have ended.
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Now looking at this matchup again from a business sense, a rematch could mean big bucks. This year’s World Series was the fourth lowest in history as far as television ratings are concerned. So the fandoms may have loved that their teams were in the big time, but I bet Fox was concerned.
Live TV is still one of the most consistent ratings boosters there is in television, with live sports being the leader in that aspect. So for two major market teams to be battling it out on the biggest stage there is, this should’ve been a home run for Fox.
But with this being LA’s second World Series in a row and many disliking Boston sports teams due to their recent success, I can see why many didn’t tune it. But now we have a narrative to build upon for next year with many of the pieces returning to their respective squads for 2019. This could be a way for Fox to rebound on the down ratings from this past season, a rematch between two heavyweights.
The Dodgers have a much easier road to returning to the World Series. They have won their division for the past six seasons. It’s almost a no-contest when it comes to the NL West. They’ve made it to the NLCS in four of those six seasons as well. This current version of the Dodgers are the consistent favorite from the National League.
The Red Sox don’t have it as easy as LA does. I know that sounds weird coming off of a 119 win season but the American League has teams that are constantly getting better. Houston will improve. New York will improve. Hell, even Tampa won 90 games last season. The American league can be a murderer’s row of competition for Boston.
The Red Sox have great momentum rolling into 2019 though. They will be bringing back a majority of their squad from this year. Chemistry is at an all-time high with this team as there doesn’t seem to be a single ego in the bunch. Just a group of guys that love to play the game and play the game together.
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So with a new season right around the corner, it feels like we may get another chapter in the LA/Boston sports rivalry. Stemming back decades and multiple sports, these two cities have a rich history and passion for battling the other. Two of the biggest payrolls and fanatic fanbases will look to see their squads make it back to October in 2019.
With both knowing exactly what it’ll take to get to the World Series I look for both to come out of the gates hot. There’s a reason that these two teams are already the heavy favorites to not only make it to the World Series but win it all. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing the Sox wrestle the trophy away from LA once again.