The Dodgers will be the Red Sox' opponent in the 2018 World Series after defeating the Brewers in the NLCS. Here's what you need to know about the National League champs. . .
1. The Dodgers' last World Series title came in 1988. This is their 12th trip to the playoffs since that championship and their sixth straight appearance in the postseason.
2. L.A. struggled to start the season, but after star third baseman Justin Turner returned from injury on May 15, the Dodgers went 76-45 boasting the best National League record in that span.
3. The Red Sox and Dodgers led their respective leagues in runs scored (BOS: 876, L.A.: 804) and OPS (BOS: .792, LA: .774).
4. Los Angeles also led the National League in home runs (235), ERA (3.38), and strikeouts (1,565).
5. Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill spent three stints with the Red Sox organization (2010-12, 2014, 2015).
6. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal was drafted by the Red Sox in 2007 but didn't sign.
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7. Dave Roberts, now manager of the Dodgers, will forever be remembered in Red Sox history for "The Steal" in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. As for Red Sox manager Alex Cora, he was drafted by L.A. in 1996, debuted in 1998 & played seven years there (1998-2004).
8. Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in 2008, debuted in 2011 and was traded to the Marlins in 2012 (in a package for ex-Red Sox standout Hanley Ramirez). David Price was drafted by L.A. in 2004 but didn't sign.
9. The Dodgers acquired slugging shortstop Manny Machado from the Orioles at the trade deadline. Of course, Machado and the Red Sox have some history. Last season, tensions boiled over after Machado spiked Dustin Pedroia on a slide into second base.
10. The Red Sox and Dodgers have made some notable trades with each other over the years, most notably the blockbuster deal that sent Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez to L.A. The Red Sox also sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers in a three-team deal that landed Jason Bay in Boston.
11. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has more postseason wins (9) than the Red Sox starting rotation of Chris Sale, David Price, Nathan Eovaldi, and Rick Porcello (7). Kershaw's 140.0 career postseason innings almost equal the combined total of that quartet (155.1).
12. This marks the Dodgers' 20th appearance in the World Series, tying the Giants for the second-most in MLB history. The Yankees have the most (40).
13. Of franchises that have been to the World Series at least four times, the Dodgers' overall record (6-13, .316) is third worst. Boston's World Series record (8-4, .667) is third best.
14. The Dodgers have seven players this season with at least 20 home runs. Their RBI leader, Matt Kemp, had 85.
15. L.A. hit just .207 against left-handed pitchers this postseason, while Boston hit .284 vs lefties.
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