World Series Game 1

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

With temperatures around a 100, it could be the hottest World Series ever. Both starters are from areas with hot summers so it shouldn't favor either team.

[Texifornia]

It's crazy hot out here. I'm south of LA about 1/2 mile from the ocean and it hit 102 today. It didn't get to 90 all summer here. Humidity will be under 20%.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

[Fredia]

who gets the advantage

[Ebby Calvin]

I have no words.

Alyson Footer
The Astros have gotten everything they needed from ALCS MVP Justin Verlander, and the rotation looks strong, especially if Lance McCullers Jr. and Charlie Morton can come close to replicating their performances in Game 7 of the ALCS. But the World Series will come down to the effectiveness of the bullpens, and the Dodgers have the advantage.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 5

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259494714/mlbcom-mlb-network-pick-world-series-winners/

[Waldo]

I have no words.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259494714/mlbcom-mlb-network-pick-world-series-winners/

Paying lip service to the BBGs?

[homer]

From the comments:

So Rich Hill over Verlander at least once, Keuchel loses both, and they beat Charlie Morton or McCullers with Darvish.  Not much respect for the Astros by the majority of the unbiased pickers.  They're not playing the jumbled rotation of the Diamondbacks or the overhyped Cubs.  Keep drinking the Blue Koolaid.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I fear their lefty starters more than their bullpen.

[Limey]

I fear their lefty starters more than their bullpen.

The Astros can manufacture runs.  They also have the defense to stop the opposition doing likewise.

If the games are tight, I think that's to our advantage.  We just need our bullpen to hold the door.

[jbm]

I don't buy into the bullpen analysis either, at least not in the long haul.  Musgrove and Devo have performed well in the pen at most times; would it surprise anyone if they regained form?  It's also not a stretch to see Harris, Gregerson or even Liriano do well.  I've seen Fields, and a bit of Cingrani, not so much with the others.  Other than Jansen, it's certainly not wow-level or wildly superior to our guys when in form. 

The Astros pen can be solid; I just hope it starts tonight.

[doyce7]

I don't know, maybe I just haven't watched enough dodger baseball, but the Astros just beat a team with a better bullpen and nearly as good a lineup. I feel good about the Astros chances. They were overwhelmed in New York but I don't think that will happen again. You actually have to hit a ball well to get it out of dodger stadium, most of the Yankee homers would have been outs in LA. The diamondbacks and cub lineups are not this lineup. Kenly Jansen and Clayton Kershaw are the only pitchers they have that truly worry me, the others? They can be hit.

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[toddthebod]

I don't buy into the bullpen analysis either, at least not in the long haul.  Musgrove and Devo have performed well in the pen at most times; would it surprise anyone if they regained form?

^This.

I know that the Astros bullpen was not good in the ALCS.  But the Astros relievers have been good this year.  They just need to settle down, try to get rid of the distractions, and trust their stuff. 

[hostros7]

The ringer podcast with Ben Lindbergh provided a pretty solid preview of the series. They more or less were simply excited that two very good teams were facing off for the WS and echoed TTB’s comments about the bullpen. Furthermore, their position is that both teams have very few weaknesses and that the Astros’ bullpen’s recent struggles should be no more concerning to Astros fans than the ineffectiveness of the bottom half of the Dodgers’ lineup should be to LA fans.


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[homer]

Kenly Jansen and Clayton Kershaw are the only pitchers they have that truly worry me,

Kershaw had a over a run higher 3.48 ERA and a 1.218 WHIP after returning from his injury.

[das]

You actually have to hit a ball well to get it out of dodger stadium

The temps there will help (or hurt depending on your perspective) in this regard.  The lower density super-heated air will provide a bit more pop in the notoriously hitter-friendly park.  As well, the slightly NE orientation of the park means that anything hit well down the far right field line will have a chance as it will be carried a bit by the 8mph NW winds too.   The right field line is just a hair south of due east.

[Navin R Johnson]

^This.

I know that the Astros bullpen was not good in the ALCS.  But the Astros relievers have been good this year.  They just need to settle down, try to get rid of the distractions, and trust their stuff. 

Harris hasn't been reliable lately.   Devo, while absolutely nails until September is no longer automatic. His postseason is 2 solid outings followed by 3 less than optimal outings.   If you told me he was back to mid summer Devo i'd feel a lot better about the pen.

I don't know much about the Dodgers pen other than their closer is fantastic.

I love our lineup, or defense and starting pitching.  The pen is the one thing that makes me nervous.

They arms are in the pen to be a + group, just need to hope they hit a hot streak for the next 4-7 games.   

[juliogotay]

Harris hasn't been reliable lately.   Devo, while absolutely nails until September is no longer automatic. His postseason is 2 solid outings followed by 3 less than optimal outings.   If you told me he was back to mid summer Devo i'd feel a lot better about the pen.

I don't know much about the Dodgers pen other than their closer is fantastic.

I love our lineup, or defense and starting pitching.  The pen is the one thing that makes me nervous.

They arms are in the pen to be a + group, just need to hope they hit a hot streak for the next 4-7 games.

I totally agree that Devo could be a key to this series. I am figuring he is just a little fatigued. He now has gotten some rest.

[JimR]

My scout friend thinks their pen is the difference. He calls their batting order “a lineup of role players.” He thinks their 1and 2 match ours , and we might have an edge in 3 and 4.

[das]

The temps there will help (or hurt depending on your perspective) in this regard.  The lower density super-heated air will provide a bit more pop in the notoriously hitter-friendly park.  As well, the slightly NE orientation of the park means that anything hit well down the far right field line will have a chance as it will be carried a bit by the 8mph NW winds too.   The right field line is just a hair south of due east.

A bit of trivia too.  MMPUS is the only ballpark in all of MLB that has any westward component to it's orientation.  All other ballparks face north, east or south (or some variation).  MMPUS faces NNW.

[BudGirl]

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/922920875329851392

Springer, Bregman, Altuve, Correa, Gurriel, McCann, Gonzalez, Reddick, Keuchel

[JimR]

Glad Reddick is in there.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Marwin has become the defacto leftfielder.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Marwin has become the defacto leftfielder.

Yep.

Nailing runners with 97 mph bullets will do that.

Like seeing Josh in there to keep a heady bat at the bottom of the lineup. Hopefully he, Marwin,  and Springer will rebound from the LCS at the plate.

We need the relentless lineup Astros.

[Limey]

Glad Reddick is in there.

In a game where runs will be hard to come by, put out the best defense possible.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I don't buy into the bullpen analysis either, at least not in the long haul.  Musgrove and Devo have performed well in the pen at most times; would it surprise anyone if they regained form?  It's also not a stretch to see Harris, Gregerson or even Liriano do well.  I've seen Fields, and a bit of Cingrani, not so much with the others.  Other than Jansen, it's certainly not wow-level or wildly superior to our guys when in form. 

The Astros pen can be solid; I just hope it starts tonight.

Is it ridiculous to think McCullers might be the surprise bullpen long man?

[das]

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/922920875329851392

Springer, Bregman, Altuve, Correa, Gurriel, McCann, Gonzalez, Reddick, Keuchel

I spent two minutes trying to figure out who the DH was. I am so ashamed…

[jbm]

Is it ridiculous to think McCullers might be the surprise bullpen long man?

He could be, but I'm still slating him for game 3 or 4. 

Another question is the setup roles, mainly Peacock.  Hinch turned to him in the big eighth in game 6, iirc.  Seeing Peacock and Strom all happy after that big inning made me wonder: will he be used as the top setup man, or will they go with Devo or Musgrove?

[Navin R Johnson]

I think McCullers role will be determined how the 1st 3 games goes.  If they need him out of the pen to protect a lead, I think he is used.   If we are losing or up really big I think he is held back to start game 4. 

[Bench]

I spent two minutes trying to figure out who the DH was. I am so ashamed…

Me too.  No Gattis?  But where's Beltran?

[AtascAstro]

I remember a comment before Game 7 that Lance had a very long and involved game prep.  Both times he's been used in relief it was known in advance and he was prepared to be used.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I remember a comment before Game 7 that Lance had a very long and involved game prep.  Both times he's been used in relief it was known in advance and he was prepared to be used.

I think you nailed it.   Define his role,  educate him on his opponent,  let him get after it.   

Game 7 was not a setup role on the classic sense.  They knew Morton was not going long.

[Navin R Johnson]

Damn, I have reached the nervous fidgety stage.    Heading to Underdogs for the game, they have beer by Deep Ellum on tap called, DALLAS blonde.   Think that will be the drink of choice this evening.
 

[Aussie Astro]

Well I am off to work... so have fun boys and girls.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Damn, I have reached the nervous fidgety stage.    Heading to Underdogs for the game, they have beer by Deep Ellum on tap called, DALLAS blonde.   Think that will be the drink of choice this evening.

Listened to tunes in the car going to work this AM to settle my nerves.

Helter Skelter came up in the shuffle.

Nerves not calmed.