2017 World Series Preview: The Fall Classic, West Side Story
The Setup
Game 1, 10/24/17, 8 PM Eastern
The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the 2017 World Series, in the first year where team record, not the All-Star Game, determines home field advantage. Since the Dodgers (104-58) had a better record than the Houston Astros (101-61), they will have home field advantage in a 2-3-2 series, which means they will play two in Los Angeles, three in Houston, and the final two in Los Angeles, if necessary.
It’s the first time since the 1970 Orioles (108-54) defeated the Cincinnati Reds (102-60) in five games, that two 100-win teams have made the Fall Classic. Both teams entered the 2017 season as favorites, and this Series will be a battle of titans. On that note, let’s break down these two teams.
Houston Astros (101-61)
How They Got Here
Houston did their part during the regular season, running away with the AL West. They beat the Red Sox handedly in four games, celebrating on Fenway in the division series, but the underdog Yankees gave them quite a scare in the championship series, forcing the Astros to battle back from a 3-2 deficit. They would move on after winning the last two games of the championship series at home. The Astros offense was barren midway through the Yankees series, but found life in both Game 6 and 7.
Strengths
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Aces Wild: With Justin Verlander (15-8) and Dallas Keuchel (14-5) as a 1-2 punch, the Astros feel their rotation is in relatively good shape. Both pitchers will start at least at least twice in the Series, which could account for the four wins necessary to be crowned champions.
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Star Power: After being stuck in the gutter for a decade, the Astros have accumulated a ton of star power. Shortstop Carlos Correa, second baseman Jose Altuve, outfielder George Springer and third baseman Alex Bregman have shown the Astros the light at the end of the tunnel, after years of misery.
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Defense: The defense behind the pitching is top notch. Outfielder Cameron Maybin, left fielder Marwin Gonzalez, right fielder Josh Reddick and Springer are all gold-glove caliber outfielders. Altuve, Correa, Bregman and first baseman Yuli Gurriel have also been studs in the field. The Astros don’t give an inch defensively, which is reflected by their record.
Weaknesses
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Starting Pitching and Bullpen: Besides Keuchel and Verlander, the pitching staff in Houston is suspect. Charlie Morton (14-7) will probably pitch Game 3, but the rotation has mostly been by committee. Ken Giles (1-3), the closer, has been heavily relied on by manager A.J. Hinch, and you have to wonder when his arm is going to give. This is the Astros biggest, and only, visible hole.
Los Angeles Dodgers (104-58)
How They Got Here
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been World Series favorites since Week 2 of the Major League season. They had a tough stretch down the break, but still managed to win over 100, and lose less than 60, games this year. On its post-season run, Los Angeles essentially imposed its will on both the Diamondbacks and, reigning World Series champs, the Chicago Cubs. They have played eight games this post-season and lost just one of them.
Strengths
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Pitching: The Dodgers have three legitimate No. 1 starters in (the best pitcher in baseball) Clayton Kershaw (18-4), Yu Darvish (10-12) and Alex Wood (16-3), who have put up incredible seasons with their lockdown arms. The L.A. bullpen was lights out in both the regular season and postseason, with Dodgers’ relievers pitching 28 2/3 innings in the NL playoffs. The group posted a 0.94 ERA, notching 32 strikeouts and just two walks. Kenley Jansen (5-0) is the best closer in baseball, so good luck to the Astros if the Dodgers have a lead in the 8th inning.
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Consistency in the Line-up: Six Dodgers players have hit over 20 homeruns this year, and rank in the top five in doubles, home runs and on-base plus slugging (OPS). They’ve accomplished this with no huge names. Third baseman Justin Turner has emerged as a star, center fielder Chris Taylor, who was dumped by Seattle last summer, has fit right in, and strong seasons from rookie outfielder Cody Bellinger, and shortstop Corey Seager have the offense firing on all cylinders.
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Camaraderie: The 2017 Dodgers have a lot of fun. They play loose, they play well together, and they’ve dismantled almost every team in their path. The Dodgers are also a great home team, posting a 57-24 record at Dodger Stadium in 2017, with the crowd noise giving them a huge homefield advantage.
Weakness
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Lack of Star Power: With Seager’s back issues making him questionable (he will start Game 1), you have to wonder who will step up in the biggest moments. The team really has no certified stars. Yasiel Puig has played well, but, can he be trusted? Bellinger has regressed to his median, which was expected. But can Logan Forsythe, Joc Pederson, or Justin Turner shine? It’s possible Aristotle was talking about this team when he said “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
R.J.’s Take
This series is going to be wonderful. We finally have two powerhouse teams playing for the pennant. Will the freshness of the Dodgers surpass the Astros’ fatigue? Will the Dodgers’ pitching stymie the Astros high-powered offense? Will the Astros bullpen hold a lead in Dodgers’ stadium?
If the Astros win: It’ll be in seven games.
If the Dodgers win it will be in five or six.
