2017 World Series Preview : Dodgers vs. Astros
Los Angeles, C.A. ~ The Los Angeles Dodgers face off against the Houston Astros during the 2017 World Series and it should be a fun one. Game 1 is tonight at Dodger Stadium and it probably will be a pitching duel considering Clayton Kershaw and Dallas Keuchel two of the game’s best are going against each other.
The Dodgers have advanced to their first Fall Classic since 1988, when Orel Hershiser and Kirk Gibson beat the Oakland A’s.
For the Astros, they are looking for their first World Series title. They’ve won a pennant but got swept by the Chicago White Sox in 2005.
Dodgers
Projected Lineup
CF Chris Taylor
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Cody Bellinger
RF Yasiel Puig
LF Andre Ethier / Kike Hernandez
2B Chase Utley / Logan Forsythe
C Austin Barnes
This lineup is packed with loads of talent. Taylor, Turner, and Puig have all had brilliant postseason’s and are all hot coming into this World Series.
The Dodgers get Corey Seager back as he missed the NLCS with a back injury. On Sunday he took batting practice and fielded ground balls. Manager Dave Roberts said he is very confident he will play.
Their will probably still be a platoon in left field and at second base. Andre Ethier and Chase Utley will bat vs. righties, while Kike Hernandez and Logan Forstythe will play vs. lefties. Yasmani Grandal could see some time at catcher but Austin Barnes has been seeing a lot more playing time down the stretch.
Expect Curtis Granderson to fill in the DH spot in Houston.
Projected Rotation
Clayton Kershaw
Rich Hill
Yu Darvish
Alex Wood
Clayton Kershaw proved he can be good in the playoffs in Game 5 of the NLCS when he only allowed 3 hits and 1 run in 6 innings against the Cubs. Can Kershaw do it again in the World Series or will he be the regular postseason Kershaw and barely make it through 5 innings.
Rich Hill and Yu Darvish follow up Kershaw, which could be good for Houston. Hill and Darvish were both in the AL West recently, as Hill pitched for Oakland last season before being traded to Los Angeles at the deadline and Darvish played his whole career in Texas for the Rangers before getting traded in July.
Alex Wood will again be the Dodgers 4th starter and he could come out of the bullpen if Roberts needs him to later in the series.
Astros
Projected Lineup
CF George Springer
RF Josh Reddick
2B Jose Altuve
SS Carlos Correa
1B Yuli Gurriel
3B Alex Bregman
DH Carlos Beltran
LF Marwin Gonzalez
C Brian McCann
In the regular season the Astros were the most dangerous offense, leading in three categories, runs scored, team batting average and OPS. Jose Altuve has been a wrecking ball posting a .400 batting average with 5 home runs.
Evan Gattis could find himself filling in for a struggling Brian McCann at catcher or Carlos Beltran at DH. McCann is only hitting .156 this postseason.
Alex Bregman might have to move up to the 2 spot in the batting order thanks to Josh Reddick’s disastrous postseason play.
Projected Rotation
Dallas Keuchel
Justin Verlander
Charlie Morton
Lance McCullers
Dallas Keuchel will start Game 1 for the ‘Stros because Justin Verlander pitched on Friday against the Yankees. Houston will once again be choosing between Charlie Morton, Lance McCullers and Brad Peacock.
Keuchel and Verlander will definitely have to carry the load for Houston.
Prediction
Dodgers in 7
This World Series will be a fun and exciting match-up. It will come down to pitching (like every Fall Classic) and I feel the Dodgers have the upper hand. Los Angeles will win Game 1 behind Kershaw, but Houston will win in Game 2 when Verlander’s pitching. The Astros will win Game 5 against Kershaw taking a 3-2 lead but the Dodgers will prevail and win in Games 6 and 7.
By Jacob Szczap