World Series 2017: Dodgers vs. Astros

The Los Angeles Dodgers (104-58) and the Houston Astros (101-61) have never faced each other in the World Series, which comes as no surprise since the Astros were converted to an American League team in 2013.  Aside from their recent conversion, the Fall Classic still remains somewhat a stranger to the Astros as they have only made the trip once since the franchise entered the MLB in 1962 as the “Colt .45s.”  The result?  A series sweep by the Chicago White Sox in 2005 rendering their total World Series games won at zero.

Even when the Astros were a National League team, they only faced the Dodgers one time in the playoffs back in 1981.  Los Angeles would defeat Houston 3-2 in the NLDS and would, eventually, go on to win the World Series.  A small sample size for the two teams, but a sample nonetheless. Now, two of the best teams in baseball will face-off in a monumental showdown.

The city of Houston has been longing for a World Series title for 55 years but this year they want it for an even bigger reason.  From August 25th through September 3rd, Hurricane Harvey ravaged the city leaving at least 88 dead and thousands of others homeless.  It was the most destructive hurricane to hit the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, causing nearly $150-$200 billion in estimated damages.  A win for the Astros would mean a win for the entire city of Houston.

This puts the Dodgers in an interesting predicament.  Not only will the city of Houston and the entire state of Texas be rooting for the Astros, the entirely country will likely be rooting for them, much like they did for the Chicago Cubs last year.  The Dodgers will be viewed as the enemy…but the Dodgers are not the enemy.  In fact, they have their own score to settle and a lot more riding on their shoulders.

Since 1988, the Dodgers have now made the playoffs 11 times including 5 trips to the NLCS.  It wasn’t until this year, though, that they made it back to the World Series and nobody wants to win more than Clayton Kershaw, arguably, the best pitcher of his generation.  Kershaw’s career stats include: 144 wins, 25 complete games, 15 shutouts, 2.36 ERA, 1.002 WHIP, 2120 strikeouts, and 3 NL CY Young Awards.  He also pitched a no-hitter on June 18, 2014.

The 29-year-old’s postseason career stats, however, have not been indicative of his supreme ability.  In the 21 postseason games he’s played in he has a 6-7 record with a 4.40 ERA, 1.129 WHIP and given up 52 earned runs.  Even though he hasn’t been his best in the postseason, Kershaw is still a force to be reckoned with and will, finally, get a shot to prove to the world just how great he is by putting a World Series ring on his finger.

Though critics have been tough on Kershaw’s postseason performance, one must also look at his “ace” counterpart.  Justin Verlander was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Astros minutes before the deadline on August 31st.  You could say it was a “Minute Maid” decision.  The 34-year-old had pitched his entire 13-year career for the Tigers prior to his acquisition and was called upon to help lead the Astros to the World Series for the first time in 12 years.

Like Kershaw, Verlander will likely be a future hall-of-famer with career stats of: 188 wins, 23 complete games, 7 shuouts, 3.46 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, 2416 strikeouts, and 1 AL CY Young Award.  He has also thrown two no-hitters on June 12, 2007 and May 7, 2011.  Despite his incredible numbers, though, Verlander has also seen his share of postseason woes.  In 20 games, his career postseason stats include: 11-5 record, 3.00 ERA, 1.057 WHIP and 41 earned runs allowed.  Though slightly better numbers than Kershaw in the postseason, Verlander has yet to win a World Series despite his former club’s appearances in 2006 and 2012.

Having these “aces” on either side of the field helps each club but, in the end, winning the title will come down to total offense, starting and relief pitching as well as superb defense.  During the regular season, here’s how the two teams fared:

• 2017 Dodgers’ offense: 770 runs, 1347 hits, 221 home runs, 730 RBI’s, 77 stolen bases, 649 walks, and batting .249/.334/.437/.771 (BA/OBP/SLG/OPS)             
• 2017 Dodgers’ pitching: 3.38 ERA, 51 saves, 14 pickoffs, 543 earned runs allowed, 184 home runs allowed, 442 walks allowed, and 1549 strikeouts       
• 2017 Dodgers’ defense: 4334 putouts, 1367 assists, 88 errors, 131 double plays, and a .985 fielding %

• 2017 Astros’ offense:  896 runs, 1581 hits, 238 home runs, 854 RBI’s, 98 stolen bases, 509 walks, and batting .282/.346/.478/.823 (BA/OBP/SLG/OPS)          
• 2017 Astros’ pitching: 4.12 ERA, 45 saves, 9 pickoffs, 662 earned runs allowed, 192 home runs allowed, 522 walks allowed, and 1593 strikeouts
• 2017 Astros’ defense: 4338 putouts, 1526 assists, 99 errors, 153 double plays, and a .983 fielding %

Will the Commissioner’s Trophy return to the City of Angels for the first time in 29 years?  Or will Houston take home their very first title?  Regardless of which team wins, one thing seems a given – this series will likely be an epic match-up.

BakoBoyInBlue