The Fall Classic is here, as the Nationals and the Astros will face off in the 2019 World Series starting with tonight’s Game 1. Houston and Washington have been the two best teams in the majors in terms of record since May 24, and there’s little argument the two best teams are left standing.
Schedule
All games on FOX. Games 5-7 if necessary.
-Game 1: Nationals vs. Astros | Tuesday, October 22 | 8:08 PM ET
-Game 2: Nationals vs. Astros | Wednesday, October 23 | 8:07 PM ET
-Game 3: Astros vs. Nationals | Friday, October 25 | 8:07 PM ET
-Game 4: Astros vs. Nationals | Saturday, October 26 | 8:07 PM ET
-Game 5: Astros vs. Nationals | Sunday, October 27 | 8:07 PM ET
-Game 6: Nationals vs. Astros | Tuesday, October 29 | 8:07 PM ET
-Game 7: Nationals vs. Astros | Wednesday, October 30 | 8:08 PM ET
Overview
The Astros used to be the underdogs that many fans loved to cheer for, but they’ve now become a legitimate juggernaut with a trio of potential Hall of Fame starting pitchers and some brash personalities. The offense is completely stacked, with Alex Bregman and former AL MVP Jose Altuve leading a lineup that’s had star shortstop Carlos Correa batting in the bottom third for much of the playoffs. Yordan Alvarez has struggled this postseason, but he emerged as a major factor in the ‘Stros lineup—getting him going would be a boost against the Nats. And Michael Brantley was one of the most undervalued additions of the offseason as a consistent lefty in middle of the lineup.
Meanwhile, the Nationals have had trouble advancing deep into the postseason despite talented teams over the years, and they finally made it to the World Series in their first season without superstar slugger Bryce Harper. They’ve been underdogs of sorts in 2019, coming back from down in the eighth inning of both the NL Wild Card Game and Game 5 of the NLDS. Washington has two likely future Hall of Fame starting pitchers themselves in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, and the lineup featuring Juan Soto, a clutch Howie Kendrick, and perhaps the most underrated player in the league Anthony Rendon, among others, is not a fun sight for opposing pitchers. Washington has been great since May 24, but they’ve been even better in the past 18 games, with a 16-2 record (including postseason) and strong performances all around from both the lineup and pitching staff.
As for the bullpens, they could be critical in close games against potent offenses. The Nationals had the bullpen concerns throughout the regular season, but the Astros struggled in the ALCS, with a bullpen ERA over 4.00. And Houston will be the team likely to go with a bullpen game in Game 4, so it’ll be important for their starters to take pressure off them with long outings in the first three games.
X-Factor: Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole might seem too obvious of a choice to be a major determining factor in the Fall Classic, but the difference in the best-of-seven series might be his performance. If Cole remains as unhittable and unbeatable as he’s been for the past 25 games (19-0, 1.59 ERA, 258 strikeouts in 169.1 innings), you can almost mark down two wins (or more depending on where else he’s used) for Houston. But if the Nats are able to get a victory against the potential AL Cy Young winner and make him look human, that could be a huge momentum shift in the series.
Predictions
Ben Jackson
The Nationals are the hottest team in the league, and—despite the magic Jose Altuve and Houston continuously shows—it just feels like this might be their year. The bullpen holding up is my biggest concern, but I think the Nats have the team to get it done and win a title.
Nationals in seven.
Luke Randolph
If a team can match the pitching of the Astros, it’s the Nationals with Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin. But I’ll go with the team that’s been here before and has been the better team for most of the season despite dealing with injuries of their own. Hopefully it’s a classic either way.
Astros in six.
ASTROS
One zip.