Chasing a World Series Title, Dodgers or Astros?
Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The Fall Classic starts today and the anticipation levels of baseball fans all over is high. We’ve got the Houston Astros facing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Of course every year people will say that it looks to be a great series but I actually think this series will top last year’s and be better remembered. You could argue that both teams are the best from their respective sides of the league, disregarding that they won their League Championship Series. I’m sure most fans will tell you that they would have picked these two teams and you’ll soon find out who I think will raise the Commissioners Trophy at the end.
The Houston Astros come in as the AL representative in the World Series. This after securing a hard fought ALCS win over the red hot New York Yankees. Personally, I picked the Astros to win the series against the Yankees but I was wrong in my prediction of how many games it would take. The Astros stormed out to a 2–0 series lead before the Baby Bombers of New York won all three games in the Bronx to take a 3–2 series lead. Then Justin Verlander went out and did Justin Verlander things in Game 6 as well as a quality outing by Charlie Morton (shout out to the Pirates fans here, they remember him) in Game 7 and the Astros won the final two games in Houston to take the series 4–3. Even against the fiery youth movement in New York, the Astros proved to be the best team in the AL.
The Dodgers found themselves in a rematch of last seasons NLCS against the Cubs, the Cubs took that series from them 4–2. But this time around was much different for the Dodgers, as hot hitting and good pitching gave them the series 4–1. The Cubs didn’t seem to have the same mojo that they had when they ran through the NL playoffs last year. The Dodgers took a commanding 3–0 lead in the series, pretty much dominating the Cubs as they had almost no answers for the Dodgers. Then the Cubs picked themselves up off the mat and won Game 4 by the score of 3–2. Even in that game Wade Davis tried to give the game to the Dodgers in 9th inning. But then Game 5 was much of the same for the Dodgers as they flexed their muscles and put the Cubs to rest by the score of 11–1 and won in what many nowadays call it a “gentlemen’s sweep”.
Now you might ask “when are you getting to your thoughts on the series?” Here comes my hot take prediction for the 2017 World Series. With Dallas Keuchel going up against Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 that is going to be a very tough call that I think will come down to who can get that one run that can secure the W for them. To me personally, I believe this Astros lineup is as well equipped to do that as any team. Whether its Correa, Altuve, Springer, Gurriel, or even Marwin Gonzalez, this team gets it done. They are never to be counted out. Give me the Astros in Game 1. While the Dodgers do have the likes of Puig, Bellinger, Turner, Seager, and Adrian Gonzalez, I just think that they are more likely to go cold and not produce the runs. Also I think that even though this Dodgers team has Kenley Jansen at the back end to shut the door, I just worry about their ability to get the ball from the starter to the closer other than when Kershaw is on the mound. I think this team doesn’t exactly have the same vengeance as this Astros team which is what will hurt them. In Game 2 its Verlander versus Rich Hill. Now Rich Hill has thrown as well as anybody at times but you can’t count out Verlander when he is throwing like he is now. This man has done a complete 180 and is pitching the best baseball I have seen out of him in a long time. He is not to be taken likely and I think he will put this team on his back in Game 2. Give me the Astros is Game 2. Game 3 is a bit of a different story, we know as of now that Yu Darvish will be throwing in Game 3 but we haven’t heard who will get the nod for the Astros. They have plenty of options but I think this is the game that the Dodgers will take advantage and grab. Give me the Dodgers in Game 3. This is a big pick because the Astros have been dominant at home in the Post Season. Of course we can only guess that both teams will throw their best pitchers out their again in Game 4 and then again in Game 5. Just on a whim and a hunch I think the Astros take Game 4 and the Dodgers take Game 5. Then I think the Astros win the series in Game 6. I think though that this series will go to at least 6 games. Give me the Astros to win the Fall Classic 4–2. I just think the Astros will continue to show why they are so dominant and finally win that elusive World Series Title that they have been chasing. Maybe this Sports Illustrated Cover will give the Astros that extra push they need for this series. Enjoy the Fall Classic baseball fans!
