Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

Top 5 winners

1. Charles Petroziello Jr. (400 PTS)
2. Armando Fraire (400 PTS)
3. Jeff Colburn (400 PTS)
4. Matt McGraw (400 PTS)
5. Ruben Montez (400 PTS)

Overview:

On Tuesday, October 24th, the Houston Astros will be on the road to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2017 World Series.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Dodgers 4.4 – Astros 3.1 with an over/under of 7.5.

Starting Pitchers:

HOU: Dallas Keuchel (14-5, 2.90) vs LAD: Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Astros 5.43 (1^st) > Dodgers 4.81 (11^th)

Batting Average: Astros .282 (1^st) > Dodgers .249 (22^nd)

On Base Percentage: Astros .346 (1^st) > Dodgers .334 (6^th)

Total Bases: Astros 2681 (1^st) > Dodgers 2362 (14^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Astros 98 (8^th) > Dodgers 77 (19^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Dodgers 3.38 (2^nd) > Astros 4.12 (11^th)

Batting Average Against: Dodgers .228 (1^st) > Astros .240 (6^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Dodgers 1.15 (1^st) > Astros 1.27 (8^th)

Strikeouts: Astros 1593 (2^nd) > Dodgers 1549 (5^th)

Saves: Dodgers 51 (3^rd) > Astros 45 (7^th)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Dodgers 88 (12^th) > Astros 99 (20^th)

Summary:

The Dodgers enter the game 12^th in the league in runs per game (4.79) and 2^nd in team earned run average (3.38).  The Dodgers will have their ace Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31) on the mound.  Kershaw was (9-2, 2.58) at home this season and (2-0, 3.63) in the postseason.  Astros hitters are batting a combined .235 off Kershaw in 81 at-bats.  The Astros rank 1^st in runs per game (5.43) and 11^th in team earned run average (4.12).  Houston will start Dallas Keuchel (14-5, 2.90).  Keuchel has held Dodgers hitters to a combined .214 average in 42 at-bats.  Keuchel is (8-2, 3.53) on the road this season and (2-1, 2.60) this postseason.

Bottom Line:

The Dodgers have the advantage in this pitching match-up with arguably the best pitcher in baseball on their side.  The Astros prolific offense led the league in runs scored (5.43) during the regular season but they will be facing a Dodgers pitching staff that was 2^nd in team ERA (3.38).  The Astros bullpen has been struggling in the playoffs so they need a strong start from Keuchel.  The return of Corey Seager is yet another boost for a Dodgers team that is clicking on all cylinders.  Ultimately, you have to you with Kershaw and the Dodgers in game one.

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