To the surprise of many, Game 1 of the World Series was defined by offense. In a pitching matchup, fans have waited years for, neither Clayton Kershaw or Chris Sale lasted five innings. The Boston Red Sox went on to win 8-4 on a clutch pinch-hit three-run homer by Eduardo Nunez. Game 2, however, was not defined by offense but by pitching.

David Price and Los Angeles Dodgers’ starter lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu engaged in a pitching duel early that many had expected to see Tuesday. The Red Sox struck first in the second inning on a single by Ian Kinsler. Meanwhile, Price was magnificent through the first three innings, holding the Dodgers’ bats quiet. In the fourth, Price allowed the first three runners to reach. The Dodgers seemed poised to land a critical blow but Price was able to limit the damage to just two runs. Just as Price’s magic appeared to wear off so did his counterpart’s.

In the fifth inning, the Red Sox finally got to Ryu. The Dodgers’ lefty got the first two Red Sox batters out, which is right where the Boston lineup wanted him. The next two batters reached base setting the stage for Andrew Benintendi. The Red Sox’s left fielder battled in an eight-pitch at-bat that not only defined this game but the Red Sox’s season thus far. Benintendi forced a walk and the floodgates opened. With Ryu losing control, the Dodgers called on Ryan Madson who walked Steve Pearce to make it a tie game. Then, with a chance to put the Sox ahead, their biggest free agent signing stepped to the plate.

On the second pitch JD Martinez saw, he ripped a line drive to center field giving the Red Sox a 4-2 lead. Like this team has done all season with two outs, they were clutch. Price would only last two more innings but after the Sox gave him the lead, there was no turning back. Over his final two innings, Price held the Dodgers scoreless retiring the last six batters he faced.

The Red Sox turned to Joe Kelly and Nathan Eovaldi to get the ball into closer Craig Kimbrel’s hands. They both continued their dominant postseason runs and did not allow a Dodgers batter to reach base. Kimbrel was just as magnificent in securing his sixth straight save. He made quick work of the Dodgers, needing just nine pitches to retire three batters.

The series will now shift to LA on Thursday night with the Dodgers facing an 0-2 deficit. The Red Sox did everything they needed to at home and were impressive in doing it. They move one step closer to their ultimate goal and ninth championship.