Lo Duca: Price, Ryu Have Work Cut Out For Them in World Series Game 2

Betting odds: Los Angeles Dodgers at Boston Red Sox

• Dodgers moneyline: +125 (Hyun-Jin Ryu)
• Red Sox moneyline: -140 (David Price)
• Over/Under: 8.5 (-115/-105)
• First pitch: 8:09 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX

Going into the postseason, Boston's bullpen was supposed to be its Achilles heel. Last night it proved to be the difference in an 8-4 win over Los Angeles in Game 1 of the World Series.

The bullpens will likely play a significant role in Wednesday night's Game 2 as the starting pitching matchup could go in a lot of different directions.

The Dodgers will hope that Ryu can bounce back from his worst outing of the season in Game 6 against the Brewers. Ryu came into that start in great form but faltered, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings.

Ryu's problem in that game was his inability to get ahead in the count with his off-speed stuff. He's got some funk to his stuff and a surprising fastball, but if he can't rely on his curveball to get ahead, he could be in for a long night.

Price draws the Game 2 assignment for the Sox, and his trend is the opposite of Ryu's. Price is coming off perhaps his most impressive outing of the season. In his last time out, the 33-year-old southpaw allowed three hits, no walks and struck out nine in six scoreless frames.

Coming into that start Price was regularly being booed at Fenway Park, so it was a big step forward for the 2012 AL Cy Young award winner.

What can we expect tonight?

Neither Chris Sale nor Clayton Kershaw completed five innings in Game 1. The two aces didn't have their best stuff, but it was still jarring to see them both lifted before registering an out in the fifth. It also shows you how short the leashes will be for starters in the Fall Classic.

Last night we saw both offenses have success against left-handed pitching. They are both seeing southpaws again tonight, and I think that — plus the fact that each bullpen is a little taxed — will lead to another high-scoring affair.

The Dodgers, with their right-handed lineup, should be able to touch up Price, and Ryu is a question mark after a very suspect performance his last time out.

After seeing 12 runs in Game 1 it's not surprising to see that most bettors are backing the Over 8.5 tonight. I'm with the masses tonight and will be hoping that both offenses can get the job done.

The Bet: Over 8.5 (-115)

Editor’s note: The opinions on this game are from the individual writers and are based on their research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.