The World Series opens in Houston: In Game 3, Astros have for the first time a right of residence against the Los Angeles Dodgers (from 2am on SPOX in LIVESTREAM FOR FREE). But after a crazy second game, in which the Astros were able to equalize the series in the last second, both managers ask themselves a lot of questions. The starters are clear – but what happens afterwards?
In the best-of-seven series, the Astros will be 1-1 on Wednesday after their extra inning victory. In the next three games, Houston is now entitled to a home, and a possible match 6 or game 7 would take place again in Los Angeles.
Astros sent curveball specialist McCullers into the race. The 24-year-old is so feared for this Breaking Ball that the Sports Illustrated even dedicated a cover page to him. The Yankees were able to see for themselves in game 7 of the ALCS when McCullers came into play for the last four innings and brought the series home. At the end of the game, he threw an incredible 24 curve balls in a row – and even though the opponents knew what to expect, they were completely helpless.
McCullers has never played more than 81 pitches in three outings this postseason (2.08 ERA). There is the Designated Hitter, so the pitcher doesn’t have to be used at the stroke and therefore in case of doubt it has to be removed. Manager A. J. Hinch needs a lot of innings from his starter, otherwise it could be difficult for the astros.
For the Dodgers, the high-flying Darvish is starting. Probably nominally the second-best pitcher of the guests, but manager Dave Roberts decided, as in the series before, to let him play in match three and with it away. The Japanese is very familiar with the Minute Maid Park, as he arrived from Texas Rangers to L. A. shortly before the Trade Deadline.
Darvish has already competed against the Astros in 14 starts, his record is 5-5 and a 3.44 ERA,”It’s good to know that I’ve already pitched here,”he said,”but the game could be quite different than the previous ones. In two starts in the playoffs he has only allowed one run at a time, and the future Free Agent has a really big contract in the off-season.
Hinch was confident before the game, but his bullpen situation is anything but rosy. Most recently none of his relief pitcher was really reliable. All-star Chris Devenski (8.44 ERA in the playoffs) clinched victory in Game 2 but gave a home run, Joe Musgrove (7.36 ERA) had problems and Will Harris left five men on base in three innings.
And Closer Ken Giles? He was on Wednesday in the tenth inning with two Earned Runs and generally plays a postseason to forget (8.22 ERA in six missions),”I just have to believe more in myself,”he explained his problems, but also emphasized:”No excuses. I’m actually better than my performances at the moment,”said Hinch,” Giles will be able to get back on a guided tour if the matchup is right – and I think he’s relying on the good old home cooking.
It looks much better on the other side. Or it looked much better up to game 2. The Dodgers Bullpen had a record series of 28 innings without an approved run before the Astros equalized in the eighth and ninth inning. The Dodgers had won sensational 98 games in a row with a lead after eight innings. And then in one game, six runs from the bull pen bleed.
Well, in a game like this, things like that can happen all the time. But the psychic component must not be underestimated: the Astros now know that the Dodgers bullpen is vulnerable, even Über-Closer Kenley Jansen. When Rocky taught Ivan Drago the first cut, everything was suddenly different. And Jansen had to throw 29 pitches in game 2. Does Roberts put him back in over six outs?
The Astros are once again allowed to use their Designated Hitter. That’ll be Evan Gattis, and he beat the Yankees in Game 7, a home run. This is a clear advantage, because even if the bank of the Dodgers is well stocked, a banker has to judge it as DH, but the (admittedly minimal) advantage of the pitcher on the plate is no longer necessary.
The Astros are still unbeaten at home in this postseason and with 31 runs, ten homeruns and an ERA of 1.17, they really rocked it.
Dave Roberts has announced that he will play the actual Center Fielder Joc Pederson in the left field, and Austin Barnes will be playing the catcher instead of Yasmani Grandal. He didn’t want to let himself look into the cards of the DH before the game. Possible options are veteran Andre Ethier or Charlie Culberson.
There are no double switches to make a hitter beat in important situations instead of the pitcher. Both can leave their starting pitcher in the game at will, especially in view of three games in a row. Hinch will undoubtedly try to squeeze as many innings as possible out of McCullers with this bullpen.
Roberts, on the other hand, has already announced that he will be” wasteful “with his bullpen, as he was already doing in Match 2 when he called Starter Rich Hill on the bench after only 60 pitches,” I’m convinced of this tactic,”he emphasized,” You can’t let the results drive you crazy, it’s all about believing in the trial, and I do.”In Match Two, Tony Wats, for instance, had”.
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.