The Boston Red Sox are headed to the World Series for the fourth time this century. They beat the Houston Astros last night 4-1 to win the American League Championship Series, four games to one. Now they'll face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, which gets underway Tuesday night. Longtime Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan spoke with WGBH All Things Considered host Barbara Howard about last night’s game and what to expect in the World Series. The following transcript has been edited for clarity.

Barbara Howard: The Astros won the World Series last year, but the Sox made it look pretty easy — they dispatched with them in just five games. Does it come as a surprise to you?

Bob Ryan: The five games aspect, yes. I would have really expected it to be a seven game series, because these two teams were so evenly matched. The big trepidation entering the post-season was pitching, and they found a way to get the games won.

Howard: So now the Red Sox are going to the World Series, where they're going to be playing either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Los Angeles Dodgers. Right now the Dodgers are leading the Brewers in the National League Championship Series, three games to two. But who do you think the Sox are better off facing in the World Series?

Ryan: They’re better off facing Milwaukee, because the Dodgers do have players with some pedigree, and I just think they are more glamorous, if you will. If Milwaukee beats them, that means they're capable of doing so, but I think they're better off facing Milwaukee.

Howard: In the series that just ended, what stood out most to you?

Ryan: The fact that they were able to negotiate the pitching. That they won two games in which David Price started. That the bullpen, which was considered to be a source of great concern, pitched very well and really got them through some tough times. They also had great defense. The athleticism of the Boston Red Sox outfield, which is the best defensive outfield in baseball, maybe as good as any I have ever seen. Each of the three players had a chance to demonstrate his greatness. I think that was a source of awe, just watching them play.

Howard: What gives you pause? Where do you think their weak spots are?

Ryan: There is still the concern about how deep into a game can your starting pitchers go. We must mention the name Nathan Eovaldi, a hero of this postseason so far. And if he's going to continue to pitch the way he is, that gives you almost the equivalent of a so-called ace. That is very comforting, but we don't know what we're going to get from Chris Sale. My god, the man has been on the disabled list this year with a shoulder injury, and then he goes into the hospital with stomach problems, and we don't know how strong he will be when he finally takes the mound. So they're still concerned about pitching.

Howard: Well, there were some shaky moments for the Red Sox, particularly from Craig Kimbrel. Were you on tinterhooks like we were? My knuckles were white, watching Kimbrel be brought in. I thought, oh gosh, here they go, they're going to choke.

Ryan: He has entered into the realm of heart-attack closer. Even at the end last night, the last out was a long fly ball which would have been a double off the wall at Fenway.

Howard: Younger Sox fans, and younger players too, have seen a lot of winning by the Red Sox. But older fans remember a lot of heartbreak. What about this generational split between younger fans and older fans, those of us old enough to remember the bad old days? Is there a generational split?

Ryan: Without question. You can put this up to 25 or 30-year-old people that are so young, and do not relate to the tales of woe being told to them by their elders. I well remember so many of these things myself. And so yeah, it's hard to explain to the younger generation that these are the good old days, and that someday you're going to look back in amazement of what you just went through.