Los Angeles Dodgers: Positive and negative takeaways from Game 1

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he is taken out of the game during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he is taken out of the game during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

Positive: Losing Game 1 is not the end of the world

The Los Angeles Dodgers are already playing with their backs against the wall in the World Series after just one game. This is not something new to the Dodgers, as the team has been playing with its back against the wall since the start of September.

Despite entering Game 2 in must-win mode, losing Game 1 actually is not that bad of an outlook for the Dodgers.

When heading to Boston for these two games, because of the weird way in which MLB series is formatted, the Dodgers really only need to win one game. Winning one game on the road keeps the possibility of winning all three at home and not even needing to head back to Boston.

Winning Game 1 would have been nice as the Dodgers would have been playing with house money in Game 2. However, it really does not make a huge difference in the series, Game 2 is the pivotal point.

The Dodgers won Game 1 of the 2017 World Series, the Astros won Game 2 and did what the team needed to do and won two in Houston.

Both the Dodgers and Red Sox lost Game 1 of the LCS before going on to win the series. It is definitely possible and there are plenty of examples of Game 1 winners losing a seven-game series.

Win Game 2 and the job is done. Lose Game 2 and you better hope that the Dodgers win all three games in Los Angeles to keep this series alive.