Tonight is game 1 of the World Series. Bill Shaikin covers baseball for the Los Angeles Times. He spoke with WGBH All Things Considered anchor Barbara Howard about what the Sox can expect from the Dodgers. The following transcript has been edited for clarity.
Barbara Howard: What do Red Sox fans need to know about the Dodgers?
Bill Shaikin: Well, first thing they need to know is the starting pitcher for the Dodgers tonight is Clayton Kershaw, who is widely regarded as the best pitcher of his generation.
Howard: That sounds pretty intimidating, but tell me about the mood among the Dodgers and their fans — are they feeling confident about their prospects against the Sox?
Shaikin: Yeah, the Dodgers and their fans are feeling pretty confident, as no doubt the Red Sox and their fans are feeling confident. The difference would be the Red Sox have been a terror from start to finish. They led the Major Leagues in the number of games that they won, and once the playoffs started, the Red Sox did not let up. The Dodgers actually got off to the worst start over 40 games of any team since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958. But they got it together. They did not steamroll through the playoffs, they actually needed seven games to beat the Milwaukee Brewers to advance to the World Series. But the Dodgers were in the World Series last year, they lost in the last game, and they do believe that experience will make them better equipped to play in the World Series this year.
Howard: Okay, so it sounds like they’re pretty set for this game. Red Sox fans are known for their passion. Fenway Park can get really raucous, especially during the playoffs. How would you characterize the Dodgers fan base?
Shaikin: Just as loud and a lot larger. Fenway is one of the smallest ballparks, if not the smallest, in Major League Baseball. The Dodgers play in the largest ballpark. So the idea that the Dodgers would be intimidated by Fenway, I just don't see it.
Howard: Do you want to offer a prediction about who you think is going to come out on top in the Series?
Shaikin: Assuming nobody in L.A. is listening to this, I’m going to pick the Red Sox.
Howard: Why is that?
Shaikin: I think their offensive strengths and their offensive depth overpower what the Dodgers have. The American League is a stronger league, the Dodgers don’t see this kind of talent-level very often. And although I don’t think it’s certainly out of the question that the Dodger’s would win, I think that the Red Sox are deeper and stronger with the bat.
Howard: You think they'll do it in four straight, or how deep in the series do you think we're gonna go?
Shaikin: I’ll say Red Sox in six games.
Howard: Okay, thanks for joining us. That’s Bill Shaikin, He covers baseball for the Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Dodgers are going up against the Red Sox in Game 1 of the World Series tonight. The first pitch is at 8:09 p.m. This is WGBH’s All Things Considered.
