2017 World Series Preview: Houston Astros Vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The AL Champion Houston Astros will battle with the NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers starting Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium (7:30 ET on Fox). The Astros led the league in runs per game with 5.53 and slugged .478 as a team the highest in the last fourteen seasons (2003 Boston Red Sox). This Astros lineup also scored a whopping 501 runs in the regular season on the road. The highly potent Astros offense will definitely receive a challenge from the Dodgers bullpen led by Kenley Jansen. Jansen has undoubtedly been one of the best relievers in the MLB in the last few seasons. Along with his set up man Brandon Morrow, who throws in the 95-58 MPH range, can also destroy you with his devastating slider. He held opposing hitters to a measly .194 average and a slugging percentage of .241. The bullpen received a big boost when Kenta Maeda switched from a starter to a reliever. Since moving to the bullpen his ERA is 1.38 which is incredible.
The Dodgers won 104 games in the regular season, but could of easily won more but a late season slide brought them back to reality. The Astros came out of the gates blazing with a 42-16 start in their first 58 games. The Astros held the best record in baseball for the first 2 months of the season. The Dodgers went 52-9 over the last 2 months and started to heat up just in time for their playoff run. The Dodgers eliminated two World Series contenders in the Cubs and Nationals respectively. The Astros played a tough seven game series with the Yankees to advance to the October Classic. The Dodgers are 4-0 at home in the playoffs and the Astros are 6-0 at home respectively. The Dodgers were 57-24 at home this Season and will have home field advantage in the Series. My Prediction for this series….Astros win in 7 games.
