The Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros are equal in the World Series after six games. Game 7 has to make the decision and becomes a nerve-racking battle. Historically, everything is open, because game 7 (Thursday, from 1 o’ clock live on DAZN) has a special character, which could also show itself in terms of personnel.
The Astros have won more than 100 games this season, and the Dodgers also have over 100 victories. Both of them sent their Aces to the Mound twice. The Astros have won three games in the World Series, the Dodgers have won too. But no one cares anymore about all this. Perhaps the most exciting World Series in a long time turned into one game. The neuralgic game 7!
“It’s appropriate. This is pure entertainment. Two 100-winning teams and that’s what comes out of it,”said Dodgers-Rookie Cody Bellinger, summing it up. Astros manager A. J. Hinch went one step further:”Two incredible teams trying to reach the finish line. That’s obviously good for our sport.”
What hasn’t been said or written in the last weeks and months? Teams were compared, individual players were analysed and forecasts were made. All this is now null and void, because now it’s all about the nerves – the fact that everyone is able to win this one game more than the opponent has been proven.
As last year, the seventh game is needed to crown the new champion. Recently, there have been two seventh games in the World Series in a row in 2001 and 2002. At that time, the home team prevailed. Last year, however, it was the Cubs that were the guest who cheered at the end of the year – as was the Giants 2014 in Kansas City.
Historically speaking, the right to a home does not play an extremely important role in this constellation anyway. It’s going to be the 39th “final” game of the World Series. In the 38 duels so far, the home and away team are 19-19! And that’s not all: if you look at all 108 “Winner takes all”games in postseason history, it’s 54-54.
The Dodgers have been waiting for a title in the World Series since 1988. Tommy Lasorda, the team’s former manager at the time, gave the current incumbent Dave Roberts a clear message:”You didn’t do shit until you won tomorrow!
So who will prevail now? Both teams do not deviate from their previous World Series rotation and rely on their starters from Game 3, i. e. Yu Darvish for Los Angeles and Lance McCullers Jr. on the Texan side. Game 3 won McCullers, who had three runs in 5 1/3 innings and was replaced by Brad Peacock. The latter pitched 3 2/3 No-Hit-Innings for the Save.
And Darvish? He did his worst postseason game so far and was replaced after only 1 2/3 innings and 4 runs. Nevertheless, the Japanese player is relaxed before the biggest game of his career:”I can’t look too much at what happened last time. I’ll just focus on Game 7 and make a good game.”
However, if the previous series is just an indicator, then the starters will only make a limited difference anyway. The performance of the respective bullpens becomes much more exciting. Much damage has been done against them so far – on both sides! Just think of this crazy game 5 in Houston, when the lead changed in almost every (late) inning.
That doesn’t matter. Hinch made it clear:”If you take any legacy in Game 7 of the World Series with you, your attention will surely be misguided”. The potentially historic character of the game has not escaped Hinch’s notice, however:”It looks as if this will be one of the most stimulating games we’ll ever play.”
Another important factor will be that there is literally no tomorrow. Means: ALL will be available! All starting pitcher and the relief anyway. So we could definitely see a Dallas pertussel or even Justin Verlander at the Astros again. Likewise, Clayton Kershaw seems predestined to play a decisive role in Game 7. He’s ready, anyway. On the evening of Match 6, he declared to pitch 27 innings “whatever they need from me”.
Almost in line with this, Hollywood is experiencing a real premiere: It will be the first game of a 7th World Series in the Dodger Stadium. And this World Series is already an outstanding one with all its twists and turns and great and insane moments. It will be annalized. The only question left is how epic the grand finale will actually be.
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.