MLB World Series Game 7 Dodgers Vs Astros – BET HERE
The starting pitchers
In Game 3 Yu Darvish and Lance McCullers were the starters and they’ll face each other again in Game 7. In Game 3 McCullers was not great — three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings — but that was good enough for the win because Darvish was worse.
Darvish had trouble getting his slider down and gave up four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. So when Darvish throws a slider, pay attention, they might decide whether he goes deep in the game or takes an early shower.
The bullpens
This postseason the Dodgers bullpen has put up an ERA of 2.70 and the Astros bullpen ERA is 5.89. In the Series, Houston’s most reliable reliever has been Brad Peacock. In Game 3 Peacock threw 3 2/3 innings after McCullers was through and got the save. He’s had two days rest so Peacock might get leaned on heavily in Game 7.
Houston’s closer, Ken Giles, has a postseason ERA of 11.74 and in his two World Series appearances his ERA is 27.00. You’d think A.J. Hinch wants to avoid using Giles if at all possible. This is not the time to show faith in a young pitcher; you do that in the middle of the season, not in Game 7 of the World Series. If Ken Giles gets his feelings hurt he has all winter to get over it.
The Dodgers most reliable middle reliever in the Series has been Kenta Maeda. Because Maeda had 25 starts in 2017 and pitched multiple innings at a time, he’s the logical guy to relieve Darvish if Darvish makes an early exit.
The Dodgers closer, Kenley Jansen, has a postseason ERA of 1.72 and a World Series ERA of 3.52. Jansen pitched two innings in Game 6 so you might wonder if he’s available for Game 7, but on June 2 Jansen threw two innings and then pitched again the next day. If Jansen will pitch back-to-back against the Brewers, you’d think he’d do it again in Game 7 of the World Series.
And don’t forget the starters.
Clayton Kershaw pitched on Sunday, but on Tuesday night was seen stretching in the Dodgers’ bullpen; in Game 7 of the World Series it’s all hands on deck. Royals fans aren’t likely to forget Madison Bumgarner coming out of the pen and throwing five innings of relief in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series. I see a similar event happening tonight, Kershaw has struggled in his post season career.
“This is the greatest stage in sports and Kershaw will have no greater change to cement his legacy than tonight”
The lineups
Here’s the Astros lineup from Tuesday night and what those guys are currently hitting in the World Series:
Springer .375
Bregman .269
Altuve .214
Correa .280
Gurriel .250
McCann .227
Gonzalez .143
Reddick .182
Here’s the Dodger’s lineup from Tuesday’s game and what those guys are currently hitting in the World Series:
Taylor .227
Seager .217
Turner .130
Bellinger .167
Puig .167
Pederson .357
Forsythe .267
Barnes .211
What might jump out at you is hitters like Jose Altuve and Justin Turner scuffling and a hitter like Joc Pederson — he hit .212 during the regular season — tearing the cover off the ball. Given enough at-bats, Altuve and Turner would outhit Pederson and it wouldn’t be close. But we’re not talking about what happens over 162 games; we’re talking about one game and maybe five trips to the plate.
Playing the game according to the who’s-hot-right-now game plan means you’d go after Altuve and Turner because they’re cold. But be careful; those guys are great hitters and able to make adjustments and get hot in a hurry.
So in tonight’s game when Altuve and Turner come to the plate, pay attention to how aggressive the pitchers are about throwing strikes. If a pitcher falls behind either one of those hitters he might say to heck with it and put them on base.
Is there anything better than a Game 7?
Sports fans have been tricked and treated all season long and it finishes tonight. After eight-and-a-half months of baseball, it all comes down to one game. Who is ready to be accountable, who will spark the flame to World Series glory? My moneys on Kershaw and I can’t wait!
Is there anything better than a Game 7?
