The oddsmaker can't really set a total lower than this given the offenses of the Dodgers and Red Sox. Still, it's too high for this Game 1 World Series matchup given the starting pitching matchup, fully rested bullpens and cool New England October night weather.

Clayton Kershaw has erased his previous postseason blues by pitching well in the playoffs. The Brewers couldn't touch him. Boston has the added disadvantage of never having faced Kershaw.

By the same token, the current Dodgers haven't seen lefty Chris Sale since he last pitched against the Dodgers in 2012. Sale had another brilliant season with a 2.11 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 237-to-34.

The Dodgers have had problems versus southpaws during the playoffs batting only .207 against them.