By Joe Smeltzer
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| Photo creds to IslandCasino |
Hello, all. The World Series starts tonight. To break down this years matchup, I have decided to analyze this Dodgers-Astros affair by looking at the probable starting pitching matchups for each game. Let's get started.
Game One: Clayton Kershaw vs. Dallas Kuchel
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| Photo creds to ESPN.Com |
There isn't a pitcher on the planet that I would pick to outduel Kershaw. He's the best in the world, a first ballot Hall of Famer, and pitching on baseball's biggest stage for the first time. Kuchel is a worthy opponent, and this will be an exciting baseball game. But number 22 has deserved this for a while, and he will make the most of it.
Dodgers 3, Astros 1
Game Two: Rich Hill vs. Justin Verlander
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| Photo creds to Hollywood Take |
On the surface, this seems like somewhat of a mismatch. Verlander is a superstar, while Hill is a crafty veteran. As solid as Hill has been the past few years, he is not at the level of guys like Kershaw and Verlander. I expect Houston to tag Hill early, and that will give Verlander plenty of room to do his thing.
Astros 5, Dodgers 1
Game Three: Yu Darvish vs. TBA
| Photo creds to Star-Telegram |
It has yet to be determined whether Houston will throw Charlie Morton or Lance McCullers Jr. when the series shifts to the Lone Star State for game three. Regardless of when A.J. Hinch decides to throw Morton and McCullers, I think Darvish has the edge. In game three.
Although the former Texas Ranger didn't light the world on fire for LA in the home stretch of the regular season, he has been dominant in October. In two playoff starts, Darvish has allowed just two runs combined, and has an excellent 1.42 earned run average. Darvish has shown that he is capable of being among the games best, and in the postseason, he has been on his game. Although Houston is arguably the best team in baseball at hitting right-handed pitching I think that Darvish will follow in Masahiro Tanaka's footsteps and quiet Houston's attack.
Dodgers 4, Astros 2
Game Four: Alex Wood vs. Morton/McCullers
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| Photo creds to MLB.Com |
As with game three, the fact that the Dodgers know who they are throwing out there gives them an advantage. But knowing that Houston hasn't lost at Minute Maid Park in the postseason, it's hard to imagine the Astros losing three straight at home. Knowing that Kershaw would probably pitch game five, the odds aren't in Houston's favor for that game, so game four is their best bet to get their first ever home World Series win. Both McCullers and Morton are capable, and one of which will throw well enough to even up the series for the 'Stros.
Astros 5, Dodgers 4
Game Five: Kershaw vs. Keuchel II
If the series goes according to plan, this will be the most intriguing matchup by far. Both of these men are former Cy Young winners, both have been lights out in the playoffs and whoever would win game five of a 2-2 series would have a clear advantage going forward. It's tough to imagine Keuchel losing twice in the fall classic, but when his opponent is Kershaw both times, it becomes easier to picture. In short, Clayton Kershaw is good, and he is on a mission to dispell any notion that he can't get it done in the postseason.
Dodgers 1, Astros 0
Game Six: Verlander vs. Hill II
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| Photo creds to Amazon.Com |
As I mentioned before, the Astros have the edge in this pitching matchup. But should this series get to a sixth game with LA coming back home one win away from glory, another story will come to mind.
In the 1993 National League Championship Series, the upstart Philadelphia Phillies had a 3-2 series lead on the mighty Atlanta Braves. Although Philly was in the drivers seat up headed back home, the pitching matchup for game six looked pretty lopsided.
Taking the mound for Atlanta was future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. Opposing Maddux was Tommy Greene. You might ask yourself who the hell Tommy Greene is, and by doing that, you would be proving my point.
The legend and the obscure figure faced each other earlier in game two, and it went as expected. Atlanta won, big, 14-3. The two met again six days later, and this time, Greene got the best of Maddux, and the Phillies went on to the World Series.
Now, this is not a perfect comparison by any means. Rich Hill has had an accomplished baseball career and is still a rock-solid starting pitcher at 37. But he is not Justin Verlander. Despite that, my gut tells me that, if all goes according to plan, Hill would be out for revenge in the potential clincher, and a guy like him has come too far to let that chance slip away.
Dodgers 4, Astros 2
2017 World Series Champions: LA Dodgers
As much as I love A.J. Hinch and this young Astros team, the fact that LA has been knocking on the door for the past several years, as well as the clear advantage that the Dodgers have with their bullpen, and the depth of the starting rotation, leads me to believe that Houston will fail to "Beat LA."
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| Photo creds to MLB.Com |
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