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We are looking forward to the fall classic of Major League Baseball (MLB), the World Series. One team from each league faces off in an epic battle for the trophy. This year it happens to be the National League champion, the Atlanta Braves, going up against the American League champion, the Houston Astros. Both teams have fought hard throughout the regular season just to make it to the playoffs.
The Astros have a very strong lineup and are very tough to face as a pitcher. The Astros offense excels against lefties, which could give the Braves’ ace Max Fried some trouble. This whole team is very familiar with the World Series, as they have made it there 2 times out of the last 3 years. One thing that could hurt them is their pitching. When their pitching is on, they win the big games and little offense comes from the opposing team. But as of late, their pitching has struggled, leading to many close games and blowouts.
Let's look at the Braves lineup. Again, a really hot lineup as of late with some diamonds in the rough that have made a HUGE difference in the postseason. Eddie Rosario and Joc Pederson (aka Joctober) have been huge trade deadline pickups that have come up clutch in the big moments. The Braves pitching depth looks more promising, with some deadly pitching from: Max Fried, Charlie Morton, Ian Anderson, A.J. Minter and Tyler Matzek. Fried, Morton and Anderson are three starters that have come up clutch in shutting hitters down. Minter and Matzek made a huge difference doing the same but out of the bullpen.
The MLB experts lean heavily towards Houston being our champion. The Astros won the vote 52 - 24. But, what will really happen? That is yet to be determined. Game 1, begins.
Game One: Charlie Morton (3.35 career postseason e.r.a.) opposes Framber Valdez (3.37 career postseason e.r.a.). The Astros starter Framber Valdez struggles, letting up a lead-off homer to Jorge Soler. Which then led to a two run inning and then in the second they got one and in the third got 2 more. At that point it's a 5 - 0 game. Some heartbreaking news after that, though as Braves starter Charlie Morton goes 3 full innings but comes out with a brutal injury. Apparently a comebacker that hit Morton's leg in the second inning actually broke his leg. He finished the third inning with a broken leg, but after he settled down, they checked him for injury after he winced coming off the mound. And sure enough, less than thirty minutes later the x-ray results came back and showed that he had a broken right fibula. Now, pitching wise, it has hurt the Braves for the long term of this 7 game series as his season is over, but it also made the Braves waste some bullpen pitchers and tired some of them out. The Astros offense was non - existent until the 4th inning when they scored on an error to make it 5 - 1. They got another run in the 8th but couldn’t get any more, as in the top of the inning, the Braves got another, making it 6 - 2 going into the 9th, The Braves did come out with a 6 - 2 victory in game one.
The Astros were hoping to have Lance Mcullers Jr. back for the world series, but his injury according to The New York Post, ESPN, and MLB Trade Rumors has him ruled out for the World Series. The Astros lineup hoping to get some momentum going for game two then going to Atlanta. Both teams without a star pitcher, we’ll see who can pull through with that space open. Game two, here we come.
Game Two: Max Fried (3.86 career postseason E.R.A.) faces up against Jose Urquidy (4.28 career postseason E.R.A.). The Astros came back with some fire power in game two, getting a 7-2 win over Atlanta. Jose Urquidy was lights out and was really helpful for the Houston bullpen letting them rest. Max Fried had a start to not remember and is hoping that he comes back later in the series ready for a better start. Game 3, let's get rolling!
Game Three: Luis Garcia vs Ian Anderson. The Braves back at home started well and ended well with an outstanding performance by Ian Anderson, and the Braves bullpen to shutout Houston. It was a great pitchers duel, ending in a 2-0 final score, but it just didn’t work out for the Astros, who are now behind in the series 2-1. The Braves look to take home field advantage to their advantage and win this next one at home. Game Four!
Game Four: Zack Greinke vs Dylan Lee. Lee had a great performance as a rookie in the World Series, allowing only one run in the first but shutting it down after that. Houston couldn’t hold the lead though, as the Braves stormed back in the 6th and 7th with one run in the 6th and two in the 7th which gave them the lead. The Braves held the lead and put the Astros on the chopping block as the Braves lead the series 3-1. Will the Braves win it at home or wait to do it in Houston? Lets see- Game Five!
Game Five: Framber Valdez vs Tucker Davidson. Davidson, another rookie for Atlanta held his own decently well, letting up 2 runs in 2 innings. The Braves looked to win the World Series this game and in the first inning Adam Duvall hit a grand slam to put the Braves up 4-0. But from then on, Houston owned the Braves bullpen, getting nine runs to complete a 9-5 victory, staving off elimination. Will this World Series go to seven games, or will the Braves finish? Game Six!
Game Six: Max Fried vs Luis Garcia. The Braves started off hot with a three-run homerun in the third, and they never looked back from there. Dansby Swanson in the fifth hit a two-run home run, which then led to another run. So after 6, the Braves lead 6-0. In the 7th, they got another one. Max Fried did a great job pitching and looking like his former self. His buddies from high school Jack Flahrety (St. Louis Cardinals) and Lucas Giolito (Chicago Whitesox) were in the stands. He pitched well, and in his start let up no runs through 6 innings, which set up Tyler Matzek to pitch two scoreless innings. And then Will Smith closed it out on a ground ball to short. Swanson looked to second but threw to first, AND THE ATLANTA BRAVES ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! Jorge Soler wins World Series MVP, and the Braves take the championship back to Atlanta, the first time since 1995.