The Fall classic returns tonight as the Nationals, in their first ever World Series appearance, will take on the Astros in Houston at 8:08 p.m. ET. The Astros notched home field advantage after having a better regular season record (107-55) than the Nationals (93-69). A rule to change the way home field is determined was placed in effect in 2017 when they decided the team with the better regular season win-loss record would have home field, as oppose to the winner of the all-star game which was in effect since 2003.
Even though the Nationals had a tougher time in the regular season, they have had a much easier time than the Astros in the playoffs. So far in the playoffs the Nationals are 8-2 after beating the Brewers in the wildcard game, defeating the Dodgers in five games, and sweeping the Cardinals in four games.
The Astros, although good, have not been as dominant in the playoffs so far, they are 7-4 after going onto five games against the Rays, and going six games in the ALCS against the New York Yankees on their way to the World Series.
Both of these teams made their way to the fall classic on the back of their pitching staffs. This will be no different to determine the World Series Champion. In game one we will see a matchup between two potential Cy Young winners in Max Scherzer (11-7) and Gerrit Cole (20-5).
During this postseason Gerrit Cole has been even more dominant than he was during the regular season. In 22 2/3 innings this postseason, Cole has a .40 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 8 walks.
Scherzer hasn’t been as dominant this postseason, but he has been one of the best pitchers of the decade so we can never count him out. In 20 innings he has a 1.8 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 8 walks.
After coming off a hot series against the Yankees where he won the ALCS MVP, Jose Altuve may have a kryptonite against Max Scherzer. In his career against Scherzer Altuve is 2-11 with one strikeout. Luckily for the Astros, out of the people who have a history against Scherzer, Altuve is the worst.
Michael Brantley is 15-44 against Scherzer with 10 extra base hits and nine RBIs. Josh Reddick is 5-11 with one extra base hit and two RBIs, and George Springer is 2-6 in limited appearances.
Since they are from different leagues there are limited appearances that many players will have against these pitchers, so this may be good for Scherzer.
On the other side we have Gerrit Cole who is a completely different pitcher than he was while he was in the National League. He is a much better and more consistent pitcher in Houston, but some of the Nationals still hit well against him.
Many of these players have limited at-bats, but in at least five at-bats Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon have the best stats against Cole. Turner is 2-5 with one walk in six plate appearances, and Rendon is 5-13 with two walks and one RBI.
Obviously regular season and postseason are different monsters but looking at the pitcher’s stats against the opposing teams, this game will be a battle of top tier pitchers and who will be able to muster a run first.
Scherzer has an advantage in the fact that the Astros lineup has not been the typical offensive powerhouse this postseason. However, with them having so much talent they can come alive at any time.
Scherzer will need to keep the Astros lineup in check so they can make sure they will not have to go to the bullpen early. If the Nationals go to the bullpen to early than it could be over quickly.
This series has all the potential to be one of the great pitching series in World Series history and it all starts tonight with Cole and Scherzer in game one on Fox at 8:08 p.m. ET. in Houston.