:2018 World Series

{{See also|2018 Major League Baseball postseason}}

The Boston Red Sox' most recent World Series appearance was their 2013 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who last won a World Series in 1988 over the Oakland Athletics, made their second consecutive appearance, after losing to the Houston Astros in 2017. The two franchises faced each other in the 1916 World Series; the Red Sox won the series in five games against the then-Brooklyn Robins.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/sports/world-series-red-sox-dodgers.html |title=A World Series Matchup That's a Long Time Coming |work=The New York Times |date=October 22, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}} With a distance of 2,593 miles between Dodger Stadium and Fenway Park, this is the furthest distance between the home stadiums of two World Series teams, a record only breakable if the San Francisco Giants play the Red Sox (2,696 miles between Oracle Park and Fenway Park) or the Miami Marlins play the Seattle Mariners (2,732 miles between LoanDepot Park and T-Mobile Park).

File:1916WorldSeries.png]]

Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts were teammates on the Dodgers in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Although they did not play together on the Red Sox, both managers played and won a World Series championship with Boston—Roberts in 2004 and Cora in 2007. This was the first World Series with two managers of color;{{cite web |url=https://andscape.com/features/boston-is-the-perfect-place-for-the-world-series-to-make-history/ |title=Boston is the perfect place for the World Series to make history |first=Clinton |last=Yates |website=Andscape |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018}} additionally, both managers were born outside the contiguous United States, as Cora was born in Puerto Rico and Roberts in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2018/10/22/former-teammates-dave-roberts-alex-cora-make-history-with-dodgers-red-sox-world-series/|title=Former teammates Dave Roberts, Alex Cora make history with Dodgers-Red Sox World Series|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}}

While this was a rare match-up, with the Dodgers-Red Sox having only met 20 times ever, the Dodgers trade deadline acquisition Manny Machado had a long history with the Red Sox. In a game in April 2017, Machado, then with the Baltimore Orioles, aggressively slid over the second base bag and spiked Dustin Pedroia in the knee. Pedroia missed 56 of the remaining 145 games, twice going on the injured list. The Red Sox responded by throwing at Machado throughout the 2017 season, feeling that the slide was a dirty play.{{Cite web|last=Abraham|first=Peter|date=|title=Looking back at Dustin Pedroia's injury-plagued final years with the Red Sox - The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/01/sports/dustin-pedroias-injury-timeline/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201163021/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/01/sports/dustin-pedroias-injury-timeline/ |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=2021-02-01|website=BostonGlobe.com|language=en-US}} Setbacks to his recovery left Pedroia out of the lineup for all but 11 at-bats during the 2018 season. Before the World Series, Pedroia told WEEI’s Rob Bradford about the slide. “I think about it all the time.” And when Bradford asked if there’s been any contact with Machado since then, Pedroia had a terse response, “no.”{{Cite web|last=Bird|first=Hayden|date=|title=Dustin Pedroia thinks about Manny Machado's 2017 slide 'all the time' {{!}} Boston.com|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/12/11/dustin-pedroia-manny-machado-slide|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212083424/https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/12/11/dustin-pedroia-manny-machado-slide |archive-date=December 12, 2018 |access-date=2021-02-01|website=www.boston.com|language=en-US}} In the 2018 World Series, Machado was booed heavily at Fenway Park. By the time of his retirement in 2021, Pedroia said he had forgiven Machado and he was "at peace with the play."{{cite web |last1=Tomase |first1=John |title=Tomase: Pedroia's perspective on Machado slide that changed his career |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/dustin-pedroia-peace-dirty-manny-machado-slide-helped-end-his-career |website=RSN |date=February 2021 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=18 May 2021 |language=en}}

{{main|2018 Boston Red Sox season}}

The Red Sox finished with a {{winning percentage|108|54|record=y}} record, winning the American League East division title for the third consecutive season, eight games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees,{{cite web|last=Associated |first=The |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/04/red-sox-yankees-alds-preview |title=Here's what you need to know before the Red Sox-Yankees ALDS |publisher=Boston.com |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}} and were the first team to clinch a berth in the 2018 postseason.{{cite web|author=AP |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/09/11/red-sox-become-1st-team-in-majors-to-clinch-playoff-spot/37788601/ |title=Boston Red Sox become first team in majors to clinch playoff spot |publisher=Usatoday.com |access-date=October 27, 2018}} The Red Sox surpassed the 100-win mark for the first time since 1946, broke the franchise record of 105 wins that had been set in 1912, and won the most games of any MLB team since the 2001 Seattle Mariners won 116.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/09/21/red-sox-clinch-al-east-yankees |title=Red Sox clinch AL East title with win against the Yankees |first=Mike |last=Fitzpatrick |website=Boston.com |agency=AP |date=September 21, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2018}} The 2018 Red Sox were highlighted by All-Stars Mookie Betts, Craig Kimbrel, J. D. Martinez, and Chris Sale. Betts led baseball in batting average and slugging percentage, while Martinez led in runs batted in. Sale tossed only 158 innings due to a shoulder injury late in the year, but was otherwise superb, posting a 2.11 earned run average to go along with 237 strikeouts. Kimbrel saved 42 games and struck out 96 batters in 62.1 innings.

The Red Sox entered the postseason as the top seed in the American League, and defeated the Yankees in four games in the Division Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=24945982 |date=October 9, 2018|title=Red Sox advance to ALCS after dramatic bottom of the ninth|first=David|last=Schoenfield|work=ESPN|access-date=October 27, 2018}} Next, they defeated the defending champion Houston Astros in five games in the League Championship Series.{{cite web|last=Acquavella |first=Katherine |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-sox-vs-astros-score-boston-is-world-series-bound-thanks-to-david-prices-gem-on-short-rest/ |title=Red Sox vs. Astros score: Boston is World Series-bound thanks to David Price's gem on short rest |publisher=CBSSports.com |date=October 19, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}} Including their 2004 win that ended the Curse of the Bambino, this was the fourth World Series appearance by the Red Sox in 15 years and their 13th appearance all-time.

{{main|2018 Los Angeles Dodgers season}}

Despite a {{winning percentage|16|26|record=y}} start to the season and nine losses in an 11-game stretch in mid-August, the Dodgers made the playoffs for the sixth straight year by winning the division in a one-game tiebreaker over the Rockies. At the July trade deadline, the team traded for All-Star shortstop Manny Machado from the Orioles to replace injured shortstop Corey Seager and a former All-Star second baseman Brian Dozier from the Twins. In August, the Dodgers acquired former World Series MVP David Freese from the Pirates. For the second year in a row, the Dodgers broke their franchise record for most team home runs in a season.{{cite web|title=Dodgers set franchise record for home runs in a season for second consecutive year |url=https://www.truebluela.com/2018/9/22/17891700/dodgers-break-franchise-record-home-runs-second-consecutive-year-yasmani-grandal|website=TrueBlueLA.com|date=September 22, 2018|access-date=September 22, 2018}} With a {{winning percentage|92|71|record=y}} record, the team entered the playoffs as a second seed and went on to beat the Atlanta Braves in four games in the 2018 National League Division Series and the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games in the 2018 National League Championship Series,{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25037833/mlb-end-los-angeles-dodgers-talent-trumps-milwaukee-brewers-moves |title=MLB – In the end, Los Angeles Dodgers' talent trumps Milwaukee Brewers' moves |work=Espn.com |date=October 21, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}} becoming the first team in either league to win Game 7 of a League Championship Series on the road since the 2006 Cardinals.

The 2018 Dodgers were the first team to make the World Series by winning their tie-breaker game since the 2007 Colorado Rockies, who also faced and lost to Boston in that World Series. This was the Dodgers' fifth back-to-back World Series appearance (Two came in Brooklyn in 1952–1953 and 1955–1956, and two came in Los Angeles in 1965–1966 and 1977–1978), and the first time since the 2014-15 Kansas City Royals to win back-to-back League Championship Series. Overall, this was the Dodgers' 20th World Series appearance.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/20/sports/baseball/dodgers-brewers-nlcs-.html|title=Dodgers Defeat the Brewers in the N.L.C.S. to Return to the World Series|work=The New York Times |date=October 21, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018|last1=Wagner |first1=James }}

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|direction=vertical

|image1=131023-F-PR861-033_Hanscom_participates_in_World_Series_pregame_events.jpg

|caption1=Fenway Park

|image2=Dodger_Stadium_field_from_upper_deck_2015-10-04.jpg

|caption2=Dodger Stadium

}}

{{Baseball playoff summary

| summary =

| winner = Boston

| leader =

| score = 4–1

| date1 = October 23

| score1 = Los Angeles Dodgers – 4, Boston Red Sox – 8

| loc1 = Fenway Park

| time1 = 3:52

| att1 = 38,454

| ref1 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Los Angeles vs. Boston, Game 1|url=https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_23/gid_2018_10_23_lanmlb_bosmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031102353/https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_23/gid_2018_10_23_lanmlb_bosmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|archive-date=October 31, 2019|url-status=dead}}

| date2 = October 24

| score2 = Los Angeles Dodgers – 2, Boston Red Sox – 4

| loc2 = Fenway Park

| time2 = 3:12

| att2 = 38,644

| ref2 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Los Angeles vs. Boston, Game 2|url=https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_24/gid_2018_10_24_lanmlb_bosmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031102353/https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_24/gid_2018_10_24_lanmlb_bosmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|archive-date=October 31, 2019|url-status=dead}}

| date3 = October 26

| score3 = Boston Red Sox – 2, Los Angeles Dodgers – 3 (18)

| loc3 = Dodger Stadium

| time3 = 7:20

| att3 = 53,114

| ref3 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Boston vs. Los Angeles, Game 3|url=https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_26/gid_2018_10_26_bosmlb_lanmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412191632/https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_26/gid_2018_10_26_bosmlb_lanmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}

| date4 = October 27

| score4 = Boston Red Sox − 9, Los Angeles Dodgers − 6

| loc4 = Dodger Stadium

| time4 = 3:57

| att4 =54,400

| ref4 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Boston vs. Los Angeles, Game 4|url=https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_27/gid_2018_10_27_bosmlb_lanmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412191630/https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_27/gid_2018_10_27_bosmlb_lanmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}

| date5 = October 28

| score5 = Boston Red Sox – 5, Los Angeles Dodgers – 1

| loc5 = Dodger Stadium

| time5 = 3:00

| att5 =54,367

| ref5 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Boston vs. Los Angeles, Game 5|url=https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_28/gid_2018_10_28_bosmlb_lanmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412191629/https://gd2.mlb.com/content/game/mlb/year_2018/month_10/day_28/gid_2018_10_28_bosmlb_lanmlb_1/boxscore_col.html|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}

}}

• Game 1: The national anthem was performed by James Taylor.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNveVwCPR9E |title=James Taylor performs the national anthem before Game 1 of the World Series |work=MLB.com |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018 |via=YouTube}} Boston Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski threw the ceremonial first pitch, as he did before Game 1 in 2004, 2007, and 2013.{{cite tweet |user=WEEI |number=1054887141493428225 |title=First pitch from Yaz. Let's go! |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/carl-yastrzemski-to-throw-ceremonial-first-pitch-of-world-series/24118419 |title=Carl Yastrzemski throws ceremonial first pitch of World Series |website=WCVB-TV |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018}} The game ball was delivered by a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, accompanied by Hall of Famer Jim Rice.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ceremonial--off-field-activities-for-games-one-and-two-of-the-2018-world-series/c-299524302 |title=Ceremonial & off-field activities for Games One and Two of the 2018 World Series presented by YouTube TV |website=MLB.com |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018}}
• Game 2: The national anthem was performed by the Boston Pops along with vocalists from the Boston Children's Chorus and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.{{cite news |url=https://nesn.com/2018/10/these-red-sox-icons-will-throw-out-first-pitch-at-world-series-game-1-game-2/ |title=These Red Sox Icons Will Throw Out First Pitch At World Series Game 1, Game 2 |first=Darren |last=Hartwell |website=NESN |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018}} The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by members of the 2004 Red Sox championship team, including David Ortiz and Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez.{{cite tweet |user=OnlyInBOS |number=1055250772768763905 |title=14 years later |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018}} While declining to throw a first pitch, Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts, who played on that championship team, greeted teammates from his former team.{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-world-series-notes-20181023-story.html |title=World Series notes: Dave Roberts declines first-pitch honor at Fenway |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018 |url-access=limited}}{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/dave-roberts-greets-2004-red-sox-for-first-pitch/c-299637234 |title=Dave Roberts couldn't help but say hello to his pals on the 2004 Red Sox before their Game 2 first pitch |first=Adrian |last=Garro |website=MLB.com |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018}} The game ball was delivered by a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, accompanied by NESN announcer and former Red Sox All-Star second baseman Jerry Remy.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/24/2004-red-sox-game-2-pregame-ceremony-jerry-remy |title=Members of 2004 Red Sox play major roles in ceremonies prior to Game 2 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018 |via=Boston.com}}
• Game 3: The national anthem was performed by Brad Paisley. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Hall of Famer and former Dodger player, coach and manager Tommy Lasorda, who was accompanied on the field by one of the team's owners, Magic Johnson; the pitch was caught by former Dodger All-Star Steve Garvey. The game ball was delivered by a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel, accompanied by actor Mario Lopez.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tommy-lasorda-part-of-game-3-pregame-ceremony/c-299767566 |title=Lasorda center of pregame ceremony in LA |first=Alyson |last=Footer |website=MLB.com |date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018}}
• Game 4: A moment of silence was held to honor victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, which had happened that morning.{{cite news |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/25100302/pittsburgh-athletes-teams-express-support-wake-deadly-synagogue-shooting |title=Pittsburgh stars, teams express support in wake of deadly synagogue shooting |website=ESPN |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 30, 2018}} The national anthem was performed by Ryan Tedder. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley to former Dodger Kirk Gibson, recalling Gibson's game-winning home run off Eckersley in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/dennis-eckersley-throws-first-pitch-to-kirk-gibson-at-world-series-game-4/c-299827346 |title=Kirk Gibson and Dennis Eckersley teamed up for a ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the World Series |first=Adrian |last=Garro |website=MLB.com |date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018}} The game ball was delivered by a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, accompanied by actor Anthony Anderson.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ceremonial--off-field-activities-for-game-four-of-the-2018-world-series/c-299815406 |title=Ceremonial & off-field activities for Game Four of the 2018 World Series presented by YouTube TV |website=MLB.com |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}}
• Game 5: The national anthem was performed by Petty Officer Second Class Mike Dalager of the United States Coast Guard.{{cite tweet |user=DieterRuehle |number=1056688019304902657 |title=Excited to accompany US Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class, Mike Dalager, on the anthem today |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018}} The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by former Dodger All-Star Orel Hershiser to former Dodger Mickey Hatcher.{{cite tweet |user=TomLeyden |number=1056699507004465153 |title=Orel Hershiser throws our first pitch and Mickey Hatcher drops it |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018}} The game ball was delivered by a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, accompanied by actor J. B. Smoove.{{cite web |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/smoove-delivers-the-game-ball-to-the-mound-with-the-boys-news-photo/1054798720 |title=World Series - Boston Red Sox v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game Five |website=Getty Images |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215025934/https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/smoove-delivers-the-game-ball-to-the-mound-with-the-boys-news-photo/1054798720 |url-status=dead }}

File:Eduardo Núñez 2018 (cropped).jpg hit a three-run home run for Boston in the seventh inning.]]

{{linescore

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The Red Sox started Chris Sale against the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw became the first pitcher to start the first game of the World Series in back-to-back years since Cliff Lee did so in 2009 (for the Phillies) and 2010 (for the Rangers) and the first to do so for the same team since Dave Stewart pitched three consecutive Game 1s for the Oakland Athletics from 1988 to 1990.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/75JI8|title=WS Game 1 starters|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 23, 2018}} The Red Sox struck in the first inning when Mookie Betts singled, stole second and then scored on a hit by Andrew Benintendi, who subsequently scored on a single by J. D. Martinez. Boston benefited from Dodgers' first baseman David Freese missing a foul pop-up by Betts, and right fielder Yasiel Puig allowing Benintendi to advance to second base on a late throw to the plate.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-world-series-2018-the-dodgers-kept-making-mistakes-and-the-red-sox-kept-capitalizing-in-game-1/ |title=MLB World Series 2018: The Dodgers kept making mistakes and the Red Sox kept capitalizing in Game 1 |first=Mike |last=Axisa |website=CBS Sports |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018}} A homer by Matt Kemp in the second inning gave the Dodgers a run, and an RBI single by Manny Machado in the third inning tied the score, 2–2. In the bottom of the third, Steve Pearce grounded into a fielder's choice—which was called an inning-ending double play on the field, but overturned by video review—and the Red Sox regained the lead on an RBI double by Martinez in the following at-bat. In the top of the fifth, a groundout by Machado plated Brian Dozier to even the score, 3–3.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/oct/24/world-series-boston-red-sox-los-angeles-dodgers-game-1 |title =Eduardo Nunez blast powers Red Sox past Dodgers in World Series Game 1|date=October 24, 2018|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=October 24, 2018|agency =Associated Press}}

Sale wound up pitching into the fifth inning, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth, and scored the go-ahead run when Xander Bogaerts grounded into a fielder's choice. A single by Rafael Devers off reliever Ryan Madson in the next at-bat made it 5–3. Kershaw's final line was five runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts in four-plus innings. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the seventh off reliever Ryan Brasier and scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Machado. Eduardo Núñez hit a pinch-hit three-run home run off Alex Wood in the bottom of the seventh to make it a four-run lead for the Red Sox, 8–4, with no further scoring in the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/eduardo-nunez-red-sox-win-world-series-game-1/c-299550424|title=Hot Red Sox bats chill Dodgers in Game 1|work=mlb.com|first=Anthony|last=Castrovince|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=October 23, 2018}} Boston reliever Matt Barnes, who finished the fifth inning after relieving Sale, got the win, while Kershaw took the loss for Los Angeles.{{cite web|last=Connolly |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theuconnblog.com/2018/10/24/18017626/former-uconn-huskies-baseball-pitcher-matt-barnes-win-game-one-world-series-boston-red-sox-dodgers |title=Former UConn Pitcher Matt Barnes Earns Win in Game One of World Series |publisher=The UConn Blog |date= October 24, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}}

File:David Price on August 17, 2016.jpg got the win in Game 2, his second win of the 2018 postseason.]]

{{linescore

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}}

Game 2 featured another matchup of left-handed pitchers; Boston started David Price, who got the win in Game 5 of the 2018 American League Championship Series, while Los Angeles started Hyun-jin Ryu, who took the loss in Game 6 of the 2018 National League Championship Series. The Red Sox again scored first, this time in the second inning, when Xander Bogaerts doubled and then scored on a single by Ian Kinsler. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the fourth inning and David Freese scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Kemp to tie the game; Yasiel Puig then singled to drive in Manny Machado with the go-ahead run. After the Red Sox loaded the bases against Ryu in the bottom of the fifth, reliever Ryan Madson walked in the tying run and J. D. Martinez drove in two more with a single. Ryu's final line was four runs allowed on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4{{fraction|2|3}} innings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/oct/24/boston-red-sox-los-angeles-dodgers-world-series-game-2-david-price |title =David Price and bullpen star as Red Sox take 2–0 World Series lead over Dodgers|date=October 25, 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=October 25, 2018|last1=Felt|first1=Hunter}}

Price only allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in six innings while striking out five. Both bullpens prevented more runs from scoring as the Red Sox won, 4–2, to take a two games to none lead.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-win-world-series-game-2-have-2-0-lead/c-299632208|title=J.D.'s decisive knock derails LA, puts Sox up 2–0|work=mlb.com|date=October 24, 2018|access-date=October 24, 2018|first=Anthony|last=Castrovince}} Ryu took the loss for the Dodgers, while Price earned the win for Boston with closer Craig Kimbrel getting his sixth save this postseason. It was also the 100th postseason victory in Red Sox franchise history.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/history-bodes-well-red-sox-2-0-world-series-lead |title=History bodes well for Red Sox' 2–0 World Series lead |website=NBC Sports |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=October 25, 2018}}

{{external media

| float = right

| width = 258px

| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cB6SUqDlR4 Game 3 Full replay] on the MLB's official YouTube channel

}}

File:Jackie Bradley Jr. in 2017 (36547479673).jpg tied the game, 1–1, with a two-out solo home run in the eighth inning.]]

File:Max_Muncy_LA_Dodgers_2018_(cropped).jpg hit the game-winning home run in the 18th inning of Game 3.]]

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After two games started by left-handed pitchers, both teams started right-handed pitchers for Game 3; Walker Buehler for the Dodgers and Rick Porcello for the Red Sox. With no designated hitter, J. D. Martinez started in left field for the Red Sox, in place of usual left fielder Andrew Benintendi.{{cite tweet |user=dailyrotonews |number=1055924707227262976 |title=DailyRoto Lineup Alert: Red Sox |date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018}} The Dodgers scored first, for the first time in the series, when Joc Pederson homered in the third inning. Porcello pitched 4{{fraction|2|3}} innings, allowing the one run on three hits and one walk while striking out five. Buehler pitched seven scoreless innings allowing only two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a home run off Kenley Jansen with two outs in the eighth inning to tie the game. It was Jansen's first blown save in four opportunities this postseason.{{cite web|last=Axisa |first=Mike |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/world-series-game-3-jackie-bradley-jr-stuns-dodger-stadium-with-game-tying-homer-off-kenley-jansen/ |title=World Series Game 3: Jackie Bradley Jr. stuns Dodger Stadium with game-tying homer off Kenley Jansen |date=October 27, 2018 |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=October 27, 2018}}

No one scored in the ninth after Cody Bellinger was caught between bases to end the ninth and the game went into extra innings tied at one. In the top of the 10th inning, the Red Sox had runners on first and third, and pinch-runner Ian Kinsler attempted to score from third on pinch-hitter Eduardo Núñez's sacrifice fly, but a strong throw by center fielder Bellinger saw Kinsler out at the plate. In the 13th inning, Brock Holt walked, advanced on a wild pitch, scored the go-ahead run on an infield single by Eduardo Núñez and a throwing error by pitcher Scott Alexander. The Red Sox loaded the bases on a Sandy León double and a walk, but did not score anything additional. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Max Muncy walked against Nathan Eovaldi, advanced to second on a pop out to Núñez in foul territory (Nuñez made a great catch and tumbled into the stands after making the catch, which allowed Muncy to advance) scoring the tying run after an infield hit by Yasiel Puig and a throwing error by Ian Kinsler. In the bottom of the 15th, Muncy appeared to hit a walk-off home run down the right-field line, but the ball hooked foul. However, he did hit a walk-off home run off Eovaldi in the 18th inning to win it for the Dodgers, 3–2, to cut their series deficit to 2–1. Eovaldi had just begun his seventh inning of relief.

At 18 innings and seven hours and 20 minutes, this contest became the longest World Series game by both innings and time, surpassing (in playing time) Game 3 of the 2005 World Series, which lasted 14 innings and five hours and 41 minutes, and breaking the record (in innings) first set in Game 2 of the 1916 World Series, when the Red Sox and Dodgers (then known as the Robins) played 14 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/oct/26/world-series-game-3-boston-red-sox-v-los-angeles-dodgers-live |title =World Series Game 3: Boston Red Sox 2-3 Los Angeles Dodgers – as it happened!|date=27 October 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=31 October 2018}}

Muncy tied the record for latest (18th inning) walk-off hit in postseason history, equalling Chris Burke in Game 4 of the 2005 National League Division Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-walk-off-in-world-series-game-3/c-299740862|title=Dodgers walk off on Muncy's HR in 18th inning|work=mlb.com|first=Anthony|last=Castrovince|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}} It was also the Dodgers' first game-winning World Series home run since Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. The game took longer to play than the entire 1939 World Series, which had seven hours and five minutes of total playing time over four games.{{cite news |url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2018/10/27/18031614/dodgers-red-sox-game-3-longest-game-world-series-history |title=World Series Game 3 was the longest game in postseason history |first=Whitney |last=McIntosh |website=SB Nation |date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}}

Until Game 1 of the 2022 World Series, this was the last World Series game to go to extra innings. Until Game 2 of the 2021 World Series, this was the last time a team won a World Series game in their home ballpark.

File:Steven Pearce 2018-08-28.jpeg had four RBIs and scored twice in Boston's Game 4 win.]]

{{linescore

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Following the longest game in World Series history, the Dodgers started Rich Hill while Eduardo Rodríguez made his first start of the postseason for the Red Sox. At 38 years old, Hill was the oldest player to start a World Series game since 39-year-old Tim Hudson started two games for the San Francisco Giants in 2014 and the oldest for the Dodgers since Sal Maglie in 1956.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2018-world-series-dodgers-vs-red-sox/2018/10/27/18031658/world-series-game-4-preview-dodgers-red-sox-rich-hill|title=Dodgers try to ride momentum into Game 4|work=SB Nation|first=Craig|last=Minami|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}} As he had pitched in relief in Game 3, Rodríguez became just the sixth pitcher in history to start a World Series game with zero days rest, and the first since Firpo Marberry of the Washington Senators in the 1924 World Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/eduardo-rodriguez-to-start-world-series-game-4/c-299809910|title=E-Rod to start Game 4 for Red Sox|work=mlb.com|first=Daniel|last=Kramer|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}} The Red Sox had intended to start Nathan Eovaldi, but he needed rest after throwing 97 pitches in relief in Game 3.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/world-series-2018-dodgers-red-sox-game-3-pitcher-nathan-eovaldi-legend-epic-performance/bc1pzul927le16405hnudykol|title=World Series 2018: Red Sox's Nathan Eovaldi has a game for the ages, even as losing pitcher|date=2018-10-27|work=Sporting News|access-date=2018-11-19|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119212529/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/world-series-2018-dodgers-red-sox-game-3-pitcher-nathan-eovaldi-legend-epic-performance/bc1pzul927le16405hnudykol|url-status=dead}} With no designated hitter, the Red Sox started an outfield of Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, and J. D. Martinez, with Jackie Bradley Jr. on the bench in place of Benintendi, who did not start the previous game.{{cite tweet |user=PeteAbe |number=1056287686401568768 |title=Game 4 |date=October 27, 2018}}

The game was scoreless through the first five innings. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dodgers loaded the bases against Rodríguez. David Freese was hit by a pitch to lead off, then pinch runner Kiké Hernández went to third on Justin Turner’s double. Rodriguez intentionally walked Manny Machado to load the bases. Cody Bellinger then hit an apparent double-play ground ball to first. Boston first baseman Steve Pearce forced out Hernández at home for the first out, but catcher Christian Vázquez’s throw to first got away for an error, which allowed Turner to score the first run and allowed Machado to advance to third. The next batter, Yasiel Puig, hit a three-run home run to end Rodriguez’s night and extend the lead to 4–0. In a fit of rage, Rodríguez slammed his glove down on the mound in frustration and was later pulled after pitching 5{{fraction|2|3}} innings, allowing the four runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. At that point, Red Sox ace Chris Sale made an angry speech that fired up his teammates in the dugout.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/10/28/chris-sale-fires-up-red-sox-rant-during-game-4-world-series/1798139002/|title=Scared straight: Chris Sale motivates Red Sox with rant during Game 4 of World Series|website=USA TODAY}} In the top of the seventh, after striking out Eduardo Núñez with a runner on first, Hill was taken off the mound in favor of reliever Ryan Madson, a decision by Roberts which was criticized by several including then-current President Donald Trump.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/11/28/rich-hill-revealed-another-strange-dodgers-decision-from-the-world-series|title=Rich Hill revealed another strange Dodgers decision from the World Series|date=November 28, 2018|first=Hayden |last=Bird|publisher=Boston.com}} Mitch Moreland hit a three-run pinch-hit home run off of Madson to make it a one-run game. Hill was charged with one run in {{fraction|6|1|3}} innings on one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts. Madson set a new World Series record by allowing seven inherited runners to score in the series. Steve Pearce hit a homer off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning. This was the second straight day Jansen allowed a game-tying home run in that inning.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/oct/27/boston-red-sox-los-angeles-dodgers-world-series-game-4-latest-score |title =World Series 2018 Game 4: Boston Red Sox 9-6 Los Angeles Dodgers – as it happened|date=28 October 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=31 October 2018}}

Jansen became just the second pitcher in World Series history to allow game-tying home runs in back-to-back games (Byung-hyun Kim for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 was the other). In the top of the ninth, the Los Angeles bullpen collapsed. Dylan Floro retired Núñez to start the inning, but then gave up a double to Brock Holt, who was then driven in by a single by pinch hitter Rafael Devers to give Boston their first lead of the game. After Floro retired Blake Swihart, he intentionally walked Mookie Betts, then Alex Wood gave up an infield single to Andrew Benintendi, loading the bases for Boston with two outs and leading to Wood getting relieved by Kenta Maeda. Next, Pearce delivered the key blow for the Red Sox: a bases-clearing double to put them up, 8–4. They added another run when Xander Bogaerts drove in Pearce with a single. Maeda was finally able to send the game to the bottom of the ninth when he retired Núñez, who led off the inning. Hernández hit a two-run homer off of Craig Kimbrel in the ninth to cut the lead to three. Kimbrel was able to get the last three outs and the Red Sox took a three games to one lead.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-rally-to-win-world-series-game-4/c-299820938|title=Late surge gives Sox 3-1 Series edge over LA|work=mlb.com|first=Anthony|last=Castrovince|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018}}

File:Alex Cora 2008 (cropped).jpg, seen here as a player in 2008, led the Red Sox to the World Series championship in his first year as manager.]]

{{linescore

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On October 28, Los Angeles became the first city to host an MLB, NFL (Rams), NBA (Clippers), NHL (Kings), and MLS (Galaxy) game all on the same day.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-world-series-win-ensures-game-5-historic-sports-equinox-145704727.html|title=Dodgers' World Series win ensures Game 5 ... and a historic 'Sports Equinox| publisher=Los Angeles Sports Equinox |date=October 27, 2018}} Before the game, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird promoted the game, giving reminders that both Boston and Los Angeles were squaring off for a championship, though in the World Series for the first time; the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers met in the NBA Finals 11 times since the Lakers moved from Minneapolis in 1960.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/cut4/magic-johnson-and-larry-bird-created-a-world-series-intro-video/c-299881438| title = NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird created an epic intro video prior to Game 5|website = MLB.com|first=Jessica|last=Kleinschmidt|date=October 28, 2018}}

{{seealso|Celtics–Lakers rivalry}}

Clayton Kershaw started for the Dodgers,{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Matt|title=Red Sox vs. Dodgers: Rich Hill gets the starting nod for World Series Game 4 after all |date=October 27, 2018 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-sox-vs-dodgers-rich-hill-gets-the-starting-nod-for-world-series-game-4-after-all/ |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=October 28, 2018}} while David Price started for the Red Sox.{{cite news|title=David Price World Series Game 5: Alex Cora moves up lefty to start potential clinching game for Boston Red Sox|url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2018/10/david_price_world_series_game.html |first=Matt |last=Vautour |website=MassLive.com |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018}} Price became the first pitcher to start World Series games no more than four days apart while also pitching in relief between those games since Jack Billingham of the Cincinnati Reds did so in the 1972 World Series.{{cite web|author=Buster Olney |url=https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/1056586570529046533 |title=Buster Olney on Twitter: "ELIAS: David Price started Game 2 on Wednesday and pitched in relief in Game 3 on Friday He will be the first pitcher to start Ws games no more than four days apart while also pitching in relief between those starts since Jack Billingham did so for the Reds against OAK in 1972." |publisher=Twitter.com |date=November 9, 2009 |access-date=October 29, 2018}} Jackie Bradley Jr. again did not start in the outfield for Boston, but entered the game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the ninth inning.{{cite tweet |user=ArashMarkazi |number=1056659397605117952 |title=#WorldSeries Game 5 Lineups |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018}}

Both teams scored in the first inning. The Red Sox scored in the top of the inning after a one out single by Andrew Benintendi followed by a two-run home run by Steve Pearce. David Freese led off the bottom of the inning with a home run for the Dodgers. No one else scored until the sixth inning, when Mookie Betts hit a home run with one out and then J. D. Martinez hit a lead-off homer in the seventh to make it 4–1. Kershaw pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, with five strikeouts and no walks.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/oct/28/world-series-2018-game-5-boston-red-sox-v-los-angeles-dodgers-live |title = Boston Red Sox beat Los Angeles Dodgers to win 2018 World Series – as it happened|date=29 October 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=31 October 2018}}

In the eighth inning, Pearce hit another home run, this time off of Pedro Báez. Price pitched into the eighth, allowing only one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five. He became just the fifth pitcher to pitch 6+ innings and allow three or fewer hits in three straight postseason starts.{{cite web|author=Stats By STATS |url=https://twitter.com/StatsBySTATS/status/1056742662454284289 |title=Stats By STATS on Twitter: "With seven innings and three hits allowed, @RedSox David Price is the fifth pitcher ever to pitch 6+ innings and allow three hits or fewer in 3 straight postseason starts. Price joins Jon Matlack (1973), Mike Mussina (1997), Kevin Brown (1998), and Clayton Kershaw (2013)." |publisher=Twitter.com |date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=October 29, 2018}} Joe Kelly and Chris Sale pitched the last two innings and both struck out the side, Sale getting Manny Machado to strike out for the last out, the Red Sox winning the game 5–1 and the title 4–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-win-2018-world-series-title/c-299876586|title=Red Sox roll to 4th World Series title since 2004|work=MLB.com|first=Anthony|last=Castrovince|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018}} Pearce won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.{{cite web |author1=Bill Baer |title=Steve Pearce named MVP of World Series |url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/10/28/steve-pearce-named-mvp-of-world-series/ |website=HardballTalk |date=29 October 2018}}

{{linescore||H1=4|HE=2

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Note: GP=Games Played; AB=At Bats; R=Runs; H=Hits; 2B=Doubles; 3B=Triples; HR=Home Runs; RBI=Runs Batted In; BB=Walks; AVG=Batting Average; OBP=On Base Percentage; SLG=Slugging Percentage

Note: G=Games Played; GS=Games Started; IP=Innings Pitched; H=Hits; BB=Walks; R=Runs; ER=Earned Runs; SO=Strikeouts; W=Wins; L=Losses; SV=Saves; ERA=Earned Run Average

Note: GP=Games Played; AB=At Bats; R=Runs; H=Hits; 2B=Doubles; 3B=Triples; HR=Home Runs; RBI=Runs Batted In; BB=Walks; AVG=Batting Average; OBP=On Base Percentage; SLG=Slugging Percentage

Note: G=Games Played; GS=Games Started; IP=Innings Pitched; H=Hits; BB=Walks; R=Runs; ER=Earned Runs; SO=Strikeouts; W=Wins; L=Losses; SV=Saves; ERA=Earned Run Average

The World Series was televised nationally by Fox for the 19th straight year. Joe Buck was the play-by-play announcer, with John Smoltz as the color commentator. Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci were the field reporters.{{cite web|title=2018 MLB Postseason Schedule|url=https://www.mlb.com/schedule/postseason|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|access-date=October 21, 2018}} Fox Deportes offered a Spanish-language feed, with Rolando Nichols providing play-by-play and Carlos Álvarez and Edgar Gonzalez doing color commentary.{{cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/schedules/your-2018-world-series-announcing-schedule.html|title=Your 2018 World Series announcing schedule|last=Lucia|first=Joe|work=Awful Announcing|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018}}

Outside of the United States, MLB International carried the series with play-by-play by Matt Vasgersian and color commentary by Buck Martinez.

{{further|World Series television ratings}}

ESPN Radio broadcast all the World Series games in English for the 21st straight year as part of Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio. Dan Shulman called the play-by-play, with Chris Singleton serving as color analyst and Buster Olney as field reporter. Marc Kestecher hosted the pre-game show with Olney and Tim Kurkjian reporting. Jon Sciambi called the play-by-play for Game 5 due to Shulman developing laryngitis.{{cite web|url=https://thespun.com/news/espn-announcer-forced-to-miss-game-5-of-the-world-series|title=ESPN Announcer Forced To Miss Game 5 Of The World Series|last=Rosvoglou|first=Chris|website=The Spun|date=October 28, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018}}

ESPN Deportes Radio provided Spanish-language coverage of the Series. Eduardo Ortega called the play-by-play and Orlando Hernández, Renato Bermudez, and José Francisco Rivera served as analysts.{{Cite press release|url=https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/10/espns-extensive-on-site-coverage-of-the-major-league-baseball-world-series/|title=ESPN's Extensive On-Site Coverage of the Major League Baseball World Series|last=Skarka|first=Michael|publisher=ESPN Media Zone|date=October 19, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2018}}

Locally, both teams' flagship radio stations broadcast the series with their regular announcers, which were simulcast over SiriusXM radio. In Los Angeles, the broadcast was on AM 570 LA Sports with Charley Steiner and Rick Monday in English, on Univision America 1020 with Jaime Jarrín and Jorge Jarrín in Spanish, and on Radio Korea 1540 AM in Korean. The Red Sox broadcast was on WEEI 93.7 FM in English with Joe Castiglione, Tim Neverett and Lou Merloni, and in Spanish on WCCM 1490 AM with Uri Berenguer.{{cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/schedules/your-2018-world-series-announcing-schedule.html|title=Your 2018 World Series announcing schedule|work=Awful Announcing|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=October 23, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-red-sox/2018/10/23/563407#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=563407|title=Dodgers vs. Red Sox Preview|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 23, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.radiokorea.com/news/article.php?uid=299834|title=남가주 한인사회 2018 월드시리즈로 들썩! .. 라디오코리아 생중계|publisher=Radio Korea|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=October 23, 2018|language=ko}}

File:Boston Red Sox parade 31Oct2018 (45601323352).jpg

The 2018 World Series was sponsored by YouTube TV, the second consecutive year that the service sponsored the series. This sponsorship included logo branding in-stadium and on official digital properties, on the field, as well as commercial inventory during Fox's telecasts of the games.{{cite news|last1=Lefton|first1=Terry|last2=Ourand|first2=John|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/10/03/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/World-Series-Sponsor.aspx|title=YouTube TV Digital Pay Service Signs On To Be First World Series Presenting Sponsor|website=Sports Business Journal|access-date=September 6, 2018}} As part of the agreement, YouTube TV would later sponsor the 2019 World Series.{{cite news|last=Spangler|first=Todd|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/youtube-tv-mlb-world-series-2018-2019-sponsor-1202721528/|title=YouTube TV Renews MLB Marketing Pact, Will Sponsor 2018 and 2019 World Series|website=Variety|date=March 8, 2018|access-date=June 19, 2019}}

File:President Trump Welcomes the Boston Red Sox to the White House (47028934414).jpg with President Trump on May 9, 2019]]

On the morning of October 31, the Red Sox celebration parade began at Fenway Park and made its way downtown to its final destination on Staniford Street.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.gov/news/red-sox-world-series-victory-parade |title =Red Sox World Series Victory Parade |date=31 October 2018|work=Boston.gov|access-date=31 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/29/2018-red-sox-world-series-parade-date-time-info |title =Everything you need to know for the 2018 Red Sox World Series parade|date=31 October 2018|work=Boston.com|access-date=31 October 2018}} During the celebration, the World Series trophy sustained minor damage from a beer can thrown by a spectator; it was subsequently repaired.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/11/01/world-series-trophy-repaired-after-parade-damage/38356661/ |title=World Series trophy repaired after parade damage |agency=AP |website=USA Today |date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=November 26, 2018}}

An 80-minute documentary, 2018 World Series: Damage Done, which was produced by MLB and narrated by Uzo Aduba,{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/world-series-documentary-to-premiere-in-boston/c-301211454 |title=World Series doc captures historic Sox moments |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018}} was released on December 4.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/12/04/red-sox-world-series-documentary-takeaways |title=5 takeaways from the Red Sox' World Series documentary |first=Hayden |last=Bird |website=Boston.com |date=December 4, 2018 |access-date=December 4, 2018}}

On December 3, Red Sox president Sam Kennedy announced that team accepted an invitation to visit the White House.{{cite news |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2018/12/red_sox_alex_cora_accept_invitation_to_the_white_house |title=Red Sox, Alex Cora accept invitation to the White House |first=Jason |last=Mastrodonato |newspaper=Boston Herald |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204101956/http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2018/12/red_sox_alex_cora_accept_invitation_to_the_white_house |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Originally planned for February 15, 2019, the visit was postponed to May 9, 2019, due to the 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/01/25/red-sox-postpone-white-house-trip-because-of-shutdown/38955599/ |title=Boston Red Sox push back trip to White House until May |agency=AP |website=USA Today |date=January 25, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2019}} Alex Cora announced that he would not attend, citing the administration's response to Hurricane Maria in his native Puerto Rico.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/red-sox-s-alex-cora-won-t-visit-white-house-n1002201 |title=Red Sox's Alex Cora won't visit White House, citing Puerto Rico response |agency=AP |website=NBC News |date=May 6, 2019 |access-date=May 7, 2019}} On May 9, various team members along with owner John W. Henry and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski visited the White House and met with President Trump.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2019/05/09/red-sox-visit-white-house-thursday-minus-cora-and-several-players/q19eEuISwdsAj90LSKJZoI/story.html |title=Red Sox honored at the White House, minus Cora and several players |first=Christina |last=Prignano |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=May 9, 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/redsox/2019/05/09/red-sox-donald-trump-white-house-without-several-players-manager/1150406001/ |title=Donald Trump praises Red Sox at White House ceremony as several players, manager skip event |first=Tom |last=Schad |website=USA Today |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=May 9, 2019}}

During the 2018–2019 off-season, the Dodgers signed former Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly to a three-year deal.{{Cite web|title=Source: Dodgers to add reliever Kelly|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-kelly-agrees-to-contract-with-dodgers-c301816550|access-date=2020-12-15|website=MLB.com|language=en}} Kelly had been effective in the World Series against the Dodgers, striking out 10 batters and not allowing a run in five games pitched. Kelly, an Angels fan who disliked the Dodgers growing up in Corona,{{cite web |title=Dodgers pitcher, Joe Kelly {{!}} 08/10/2021 |url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/video/dodgers-pitcher-joe-kelly |website=MLB.com |access-date=7 October 2021 |language=en}} became a fan favorite with Dodger fans throughout his tenure with the team.{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Houston|date=2020-07-30|title=Dodgers Dugout: Joe Kelly wins the hearts of Dodgers fans|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/newsletter/2020-07-30/dodgers-astros-joe-kelly-dodgers-dugout|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731005236/https://www.latimes.com/sports/newsletter/2020-07-30/dodgers-astros-joe-kelly-dodgers-dugout |archive-date=July 31, 2020 }}{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Brooks|date=2020-09-16|title=Dodgers: Local Hero Joe Kelly Has a Great Mishap With Fan During Cheating Astros Series|url=https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-local-hero-joe-kelly-has-a-great-mishap-with-fan-during-cheating-astros-series/2020/09/15/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Dodgers Nation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930163305/https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-local-hero-joe-kelly-has-a-great-mishap-with-fan-during-cheating-astros-series/2020/09/15/ |archive-date=September 30, 2020 }}

Four months after the 2018 World Series, the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII, meaning the Greater Boston area celebrated multiple championships for the 2018 MLB and NFL seasons. Boston teams had also accomplished feat 14 years prior, when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series and the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX. Like the 2018 Red Sox, the 2018 Patriots beat a Los Angeles team, the Los Angeles Rams, in the championship game.

With pace of play rules put into place in 2023, Game 3's 7 hour and 20 minute game will likely be the longest game in terms of time in MLB history.{{cite web |last1=Alder |first1=David |title=Relive the longest postseason games ever |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/longest-playoff-games-in-mlb-history-c298058422 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

The 2018 World Series would be the peak for the 2016–2018 Red Sox, who were the first Red Sox teams in franchise history to win the American League East for three straight seasons.{{Cite web|last=Browne|first=Ian|title=Red Sox clinch 3rd straight AL East title|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-clinch-third-straight-al-east-title-c295390632|access-date=2020-12-09|website=MLB.com|language=en}} President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski was fired on September 9, 2019, just 10 months after winning the 2018 World Series. On the field, Boston's top three starters in 2018 — Chris Sale, David Price, and Nathan Eovaldi — all missed significant time due to injury in 2019. Overall, the Red Sox would finish 19 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees in 2019. After the season, the team replaced Dombrowski with Tampa Bay Rays executive Chaim Bloom.

Four significant events happened to the Red Sox before the start of the 2020 season that shaped the course of the team's future:

• On January 7, 2020, the Red Sox were implicated in another sign stealing scandal (the team had previously been fined in 2017 for sign stealing){{Cite web|last=Barrabi|first=Thomas|date=2020-02-04|title=Boston Red Sox's 2017 Apple Watch scandal resurfaces amid MLB sign-stealing investigation|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/boston-red-sox-apple-watch-mlb-sign-stealing|access-date=2021-01-02|website=FOXBusiness|language=en-US}} after three unnamed team members told The Athletic that the Red Sox had used their replay room to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2018 season.{{Cite news|last=Drellich|first=Ken Rosenthal and Evan|title=MLB's sign-stealing controversy broadens: Sources say the Red Sox used video replay room illegally in 2018|url=https://theathletic.com/1510673/2020/01/07/mlbs-sign-stealing-controversy-broadens-sources-say-the-red-sox-used-video-replay-room-illegally-in-2018/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=The Athletic}} On January 13, 2020, Manfred stated that he would determine the appropriate punishment for Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was also implicated in the Astros scandal, when the investigation was completed. The next day, Cora and the Red Sox mutually agreed to part ways and it was announced he would be suspended for the full season.{{Cite news|last=Vanessa|first=Romo|title=Red Sox Manager Alex Cora To 'Part Ways' With Boston After Sign-Stealing Scandal|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/01/14/796486274/red-sox-manager-alex-cora-to-part-ways-with-boston-after-sign-stealing-scandal|access-date=2020-12-09|newspaper=NPR|date=January 14, 2020|language=en}} A few days after his season long suspension ended, Cora was re-hired by the team.
• On February 10, 2020, the Red Sox traded Mookie Betts, David Price, and cash considerations (Boston would also continue to pay half of Price's contract) to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs. The trade was very unpopular among Red Sox fans, as Betts was seen as the Red Sox best player and one of the biggest stars in baseball.{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Matt|date=2020-02-04|title=This sucks|url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2020/2/4/21123602/mookie-betts-trade-boston-red-sox-los-angeles-dodgers-minnesota-twins-david-price-verdugo-graterol|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Over the Monster|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Levy-Rubinett|first=Isaac|date=2020-08-26|title=The Red Sox's Terrible Start Goes Beyond the Mookie Betts Trade|url=https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2020/8/26/21402407/boston-red-sox-slow-start-struggles|access-date=2020-12-09|website=The Ringer|language=en}}
• On March 19, 2020, the team announced that Chris Sale would have to undergo Tommy John surgery, effectively making him unable to pitch for all of 2020 and half of 2021.{{Cite web|last=Browne|first=Ian|title=Sale has TJ surgery, could return in June '21|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-sale-tommy-john-surgery-red-sox|access-date=2020-12-09|website=MLB.com|language=en}}
• On April 22, 2020, the Red Sox were found guilty of stealing signs throughout the 2018 season through use of a replay room operator. The replay room operator, J.T. Watkins, was suspended throughout the 2020 season and barred from working in the replay room for the 2021 season. The Red Sox were also fined with the loss of a second-round draft pick during the 2020 draft.{{Cite magazine |last=Verducci |first=Tom |date=2020-04-22 |title=MLB Reveals Red Sox' Cheating, Tainting Another Title Team |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/04/22/red-sox-sign-stealing-scandal |access-date=2023-08-31 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}

The Red Sox would finish the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season 24–36 (.400 winning percentage), which was their worst season since 1965.{{Cite web|last=Hewitt|first=Steve|date=2020-10-02|title=2020 Red Sox report card: Grades reflect worst season since 1965|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/10/02/2020-red-sox-report-card-grades-reflect-worst-season-since-1965/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Boston Herald|language=en-US}} The team would rebound in 2021 and make it all the way to the ALCS before eventually losing to the Houston Astros in six games. Since then, they have mostly been a .500 team, finishing slightly below that mark in 2022 and 2023, and at .500 in 2024.

Dombrowski would later help lead the Phillies to a World Series appearance as lead executive in 2022. He was the first lead executive to make World Series appearances with four different teams, having done so with the Florida Marlins in 1997, Detroit Tigers in 2006 and 2012, and the Boston Red Sox in 2018.{{cite magazine|last=Vita |first=Jack |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/dave-dombrowski-reaches-fifth-world-series-with-fourth-different-team |title=Dave Dombrowski Reaches Fifth World Series with Fourth Different Team – Fastball |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 23, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022}}

As of 2024, Rafael Devers is the only current Red Sox player remaining from the 2018 team. In addition to Mookie Betts and Joe Kelly (Los Angeles Dodgers in {{wsy|2020}}), Christian Vázquez (Houston Astros in {{wsy|2022}}) and Nathan Eovaldi (Texas Rangers in {{wsy|2023}}) also won a second World Series ring with different teams. Betts, Kelly, and Ryan Braiser would add another title to their resumé in 2024 (Los Angeles Dodgers).

File:Dodgers at Nationals (53676957188) (cropped).jpg]]

Corey Seager returned to the Dodgers after being out for most of the 2018 season due to an elbow injury, while Manny Machado, who replaced him after the All-Star break, signed a record free agent contract with the San Diego Padres.{{Cite web|title=Padres Sign Manny Machado|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/padres-agree-to-terms-with-manny-machado.html|access-date=2021-01-16|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=February 21, 2019 |language=en-US}} The 2019 Dodgers broke the franchise record for wins at 106, but would experience October heartbreak once again by losing to eventual World Champion Washington Nationals in the NLDS in five games. The Dodgers became the second franchise to lose to the eventual World Series champions in four consecutive postseasons (the New York Yankees from 2001 to 2004 were the first).

The Dodgers traded for Mookie Betts during the 2019-2020 off-season and his addition made a great team even better. The Dodgers in 2020 held a (.717) winning percentage during the COVID-19 affected season, won their 8th straight division title, and their first World Series in 32 years. The 2021 and 2022 teams were just as great in the regular season, winning 106 and 111 games respectively, but both times the Dodgers fell short of the World Series. They would win the World Series again in 2024, defeating Boston's chief rival, the New York Yankees in five games.

Over the years, many 2018 Red Sox and Dodgers would eventually end up playing for the World Series opposition. Along with Kelly, Price, and Betts; Heath Hembree, Craig Kimbrel, J.D. Martinez, and Ryan Braiser joined the Dodgers in the subsequent years afterwards. On the other hand, Enrique "Kikè" Hernandez, Alex Verdugo, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, and Walker Buehler would later play for Boston. According to sportswriter John Tomase of NBC Sports Boston, up to 25% of the Boston Red Sox’s 2023 projected Opening Day roster were players with direct ties to the Dodgers.{{cite web |last1=Tomase |first1=John |title=Tomase: Dodgers East? Red Sox' L.A. bias may not be a coincidence |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/red-sox-roster-setup-hints-aspirations-being-dodgers-east |website=RSN |date=February 7, 2023 |language=en}} Incidentally, J.T. Watkins, the Red Sox video coordinator suspended for one year due to his role in the 2018 scandal, was hired by the Dodgers in 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-02-19/hernandez-dodgers-jt-watkins-red-sox-sign-stealing-scandal | title=Hernández: A Red Sox employee was suspended for sign-stealing role. Now he works for the Dodgers | website=Los Angeles Times | date=February 20, 2023 }}

While most of the Dodgers' core players in 2018 later played for the World Series-winning team in 2020, Brian Dozier won his own World Series ring with the Washington Nationals in {{wsy|2019}}.

{{Portal|Baseball|Los Angeles}}

• 2018 Japan Series
• 2018 Korean Series

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/29/red-sox-stats-world-series-2018 |title=9 weird and obscure stats from the Red Sox' World Series win |first=Hayden |last=Bird |website=Boston.com |date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 29, 2018}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-world-series-roster/c-299509230 |title=Pomeranz on, Workman, Wright off Sox roster |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2018}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/23/bill-belichick-world-series-video |title=Yes, that was Bill Belichick doing the voiceover for FOX's World Series hype video |first=Nik |last=DeCosta-Klipa |website=Boston.com |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25024544/boston-red-sox-starters-won-world-series-bullpen |title=Red Sox starters won the World Series -- from the bullpen |first=Sam |last=Miller |website=ESPN |date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 29, 2018}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/fun-facts-red-sox-dodgers-1916-world-series/c-299432728 |title=Fun facts about only other Red Sox-Dodgers WS |first=Do-Hyoung |last=Park |website=MLB.com |date=October 21, 2018 |access-date=October 22, 2018}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2018/10/world_series_2018_red_sox_curt_schilling_1st_pitch.html |title=World Series 2018: Did Red Sox snub Curt Schilling on ceremonial 1st pitch? |first=Mike |last=Rosenstein |website=NJ.com |date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=October 25, 2018}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/losing-teams-that-returned-to-world-series/c-299350220 |title=Teams that lost WS and returned the next year |first=Andrew |last=Simon |website=MLB.com |date=October 20, 2018 |access-date=October 20, 2018}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-world-series-game-3-amazing-facts/c-299795560 |title=18 amazing facts from marathon Game 3 of WS |first1=Andrew |last1=Simon |first2=Manny |last2=Randhawa |website=MLB.com |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/mlb/2018/10/20/dodgers-red-sox-rich-histories-but-little-crossover |title=Dodgers-Red Sox: Rich histories, but little crossover |first=Ben |last=Walker |agency=AP |website=Boston.com |date=October 20, 2018 |access-date=October 20, 2018}}
• {{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/27/red-sox-dodgers-world-series-game-3-stats |title=13 mind-boggling stats from the longest World Series game ever |first=Nicole |last=Yang |website=Boston.com |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}}

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