After the Los Angeles Dodgers’ victory in Game 4 of the World Series at the Houston Astros, the series is balanced. Both teams are in the midst of a spectacular roller coaster ride and are back on top again after numerous ups and downs. With two aces on the Mound, Game 5 becomes a preliminary decision. You can watch game 5 on Monday, starting at 1 o’ clock in the LIVESTREAM FOR FREE on SPOX.
“There I am, poor fool, and I’m as smart as before.” So or so similar to Dr. Faust back then, fans and players of the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers will probably feel the same after the first four games of this year’s World Series. The series is even after the Dodgers’ 6-2 win in Match 4.
Game 5 will thus give the winner the first match point. Both teams send top people to the Mound. The Astros are betting on their top left-hander Dallas Keuchel, while superstar Clayton Kershaw will compete with the Dodgers. Both had already met in Game 1, at that time with the better end for Kershaw, who only had one run in seven innings (3 H, 11 SO) in a 3-1 win. Panting again allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings.
By name, this matchup in the series could probably only be topped by Justin Verlander on the Texan side, but the pitcht game 6, which is now guaranteed to take place in Los Angeles.
Both teams had their ups and downs recently, but it’s noticeable that the games, which were probably the best punched, both went to the Dodgers. On the other hand, if there was an offensive fireworks display, the Astros were ahead. No surprise, though, as Houston scored the most MLB runs this season.
In this respect, the Californians seem to be in a perfect position to go home with a guided tour. The fact that Cody Bellinger, who had been missing for a long time, suddenly woke up in game 4 is likely to be even more encouraging. He scored two runs after scoring his first hits in this series with two doubles. This must be seen as a good sign, especially since he got the “Golden Sombrero” in game 3 (4 SO).
However, the team is less optimistic with Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig. Turner got a beaten ball to his knee and then didn’t run smoothly in game 4. In the ninth inning he was replaced by Pinch Runner Charlie Culberson after his walk. You’ll have to keep an eye on him later in the series. Puig is also not looking good, but he is fit. But also out of shape. The Cuban strikes. 125 in the series and seems to be too restless at times on the plate.
Meanwhile, A. J. is also uneasy. Houston’s side when he has to fall back on his bullpen. It is no coincidence that he did not rely on his regular staff like Closer Ken Giles or the setup pitcher a la Chris Devenski and Joe Musgrove for the more important victories of the last few years. Instead, trained starters such as Lance McCullers Jr. in the ALCS or Brad Peacock in Game 3, several innings pitch and swing the games home – despite the fact that some of the tours are only short.
Why this is so, Giles and Co. showed. on Saturday! Giles couldn’t make an out and took three runs, Musgrove was responsible for two more. The game was running out of control. The route remains the same: don’t bet on regular reliefs, if at all possible! Aggravatingly, Wood’s performance in Game 4 allowed the Dodgers to save as much as possible on the bullpen, which was valued after Game 3. Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson together threw only 23 pitches for seven outs. Kenley Jansen was also not in use for too long.
But not everything is going aggressively with the Astros, too. MVP candidate Jose Altuve, for example, has already had better phases this year. He is currently beating. 158 and has not too much to show for his dramatic homerun in Game 2. It’s all the more interesting that the Astros have already won two games. He and Carlos Correa (. 250) form the heart of the offensive and are both not up to par.
In contrast, however, George Springer has recovered. After his initial slump, he has two homeruns on his account. Third Baseman Alex Bregman as well. Both are also convincing with excellent defenses, which is particularly advantageous in tight situations. Bregman has already prevented some runs in this postseason, which was partly due to the questionable base running of the Dodgers.
The bottom line is that teams have a few clear strengths, but they also have considerable deficits. No matter how game 5 ends, it will only set the table for a highly exciting final spurt in Hollywood. Of course, the forthcoming match is not completely unimportant: in the history of the playoffs, the winner of Match 5 in a best-of-seven series has also won the series after a 2-2 in 69 per cent of the cases. In the World Series, the figure was 67 percent.
Measured against the roller coaster ride, which both teams have already done so far, this statistic should not impress anyone, but who doesn’t want to start the final journey of the season with a lead? In addition, a success would give the winner a very good feeling, because either Kershaw or Keuchel would have been overcome, which doesn’t happen every day.
It’s set up for game 5 in the minute Maid Park. The winner secures the first match point. Kershaw or wheezing, Dodgers or astros? Who puts the first hand on the trophy?
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.