Gamethread: Red Sox at Dodgers, World Series Game 4

Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers, World Series Game 4 (7:09 CT, FOX)

Heh, well, I can’t claim any great soothsaying, it just seemed like the pitching matchups were dead-on, and L.A. playing with some desperation would keep Game 3 tight. Eighteen innings tight? Not exactly. Anyway, thanks for the cap tip, Brett.

Tonight, the advantage has tilted in favor of the Dodgers. More home cooking helps, but the starter advantage with Rich Hill is clear, even if Red Sox Game 4 starter Eduardo Rodriguez hadn’t pitched last night. Given that even on normal rest, Rodriguez shouldn’t be counted on for a quality start, Boston is effectively running out a bullpen game tonight.

It’s the first time since 1924, and only the sixth time overall, that a World Series starter pitched with zero days of rest.

Meanwhile, Hill is super rested (eight days since his last outing, one inning of relief work in NLCS Game 6).

The hitting for both teams in Game 3 was subpar, so Hill on the bump, ready to pitch deep into the game if need be, is a big plus for L.A.

By the way, Nathan Eovaldi’s 99-pitch relief appearance for Boston was not only heroic, but continues the stratospheric climb of his free agent contract terms. A guy who wasn’t even pitching until midseason, on the strength of strong work down the stretch and an impeccable postseason, has possibly pushed himself into nine-figure contract territory.

THE LINEUPS