MLB: World Series Predictions
Its finally come, the World Series is upon is. The 104-win (1) Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the 101-win (2) Houston Astros in a matchup between two 100-plus winning teams in the Fall Classic for the first time since the Cincinnati Reds took on the Baltimore Orioles in 1970. This matchup has everything any fan could dream of - stars, rookies, veterans who have never won a title, and cities that haven't been showered in champagne for a world championship in a very long time - something only Hollywood could make up.
The 2016 World Series was an instant classic between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians and went the full amount of seven games. Do we have another instant classic on our hands? We just might. It looks like we could get another seven game series. Although, that could be wishful thinking. With two strong starting rotations and high powered offenses, each team has the firepower to counter their opponents big blows. The real difference maker could be the bullpens in this series.
T-1. Ariun Paige (7-1)
T-1. Billy Collins (7-1)
T-3. Charles Post (6-2)
T-3. Greg Schwochow (6-2)
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers (104-58, 7-1) vs. (2) Houston Astros (101-61, 7-4): The Dodgers made quick work of the defending champions, the Chicago Cubs, winning the first three games and then closing out the series in Game 5 on the road. Yasiel Puig (.414 BA, 6 RBI) has been a difference maker in the playoffs, as has Justin Turner (3 HR, 12 RBI), who won Game 2 on a walk-off homer. Clayton Kershaw (2-0) and Yu Darvish (2-0) have also been fantastic on the mound. The Astros defeated the New York Yankees in a thrilling seven game series, behind the likes of Justin Verlander (4-0) and Jose Altuve (.400 BA, 5 HR).
- Charles Post.
The Bullpen Will Be The Difference: Ever since the Kansas City Royals implemented the “super bullpen” idea in the playoffs to shorten games it has changed how every club goes about how to build their team for October. The Dodgers have one of, if not the, best overall closer in baseball today in Kenley Jansen (0.00 ERA, 0.38 WHIP)! Also don't sleep on the resurrection of Brandon Morrow (1.08 ERA, 0.48 WHIP), once an often injured starting pitcher for the Mariners and Blue Jays has found a niche in the bullpen. The Astros have used the method of throwing roles out the window and just putting whoever is tossing the ball well on the mound, with the example of Lance McCullers Jr. (2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP) being the most obvious. When you weigh the starting pitching, offense, defense, and bullpen, we get a must watch series between two superpowers.
- Greg Schwochow.
What Is Going To Be the Biggest Difference Maker: History would say the Astros have the advantage, as the team that clinches the pennant second more often than not goes on to win the World Series. A grueling seven game series can physically and emotionally drain a team. However, it can also keep a team from experiencing rust, which the Dodgers may have after four full days off. The Astros have protected home field this postseason, going 6-0 so far. On the other hand, they are just 1-4 on the road. With this said, if they can take just one game at Dodger Stadium, and with Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander set to pitch the first two games, they may not have a difficult time doing just that. The Dodgers pitching staff has been dynamite all playoffs. The main story for this series may be if Houston’s dynamite offense can pick apart the best pitching staff in baseball, like it did to the Red Sox and Yankees.
- Billy Collins.
What To Expect From Kershaw and Verlander: The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw will show why he’s the modern day Sandy Koufax with his performance in his first World Series appearance, while the Astros' Justin Verlander will avenge his World Series losses in 2006 and 2012 with the Detroit Tigers, and will be the ace that everyone knows he is, but just falling short of the ultimate goal. Not because of him, though.
- Greg Schwochow.
Billy Collins: Houston Astros (4-3)
Charles Post: Houston Astros (4-3)
Greg Schwochow: Los Angeles Dodgers (4-3)
MVP: Jose Altuve (1), Carlos Correra (1), and Justin Turner (1).
Photo Credit: MLB & Sports Illustrated.
