The Fall Classic has turned into a best-of-five as the 2021 World Series shifts to the National League ballpark. The Atlanta Braves will host the Houston Astros in Game 3 Friday night with the series tied at 1-1.

Atlanta stole home-field advantage with a 6-2 victory in Game 1. Houston evened up the series by defeating the Braves 7-2 Wednesday night in Game 2.

Game 3 is essentially viewed as a toss-up. The Braves have -110 betting odds to win at home, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Astros have -106 odds in their first road game of the series.

Friday’s over/under is 8.5.

The story of each game has been the eventual winner getting to the opposing team’s starter early. In the opener, it was Atlanta that put up eight hits and five runs against Framber Valdez in the first two innings. Houston returned the favor in Game 2, scoring five runs of their own in two innings off Max Fried.

Ian Anderson is scheduled to take the mound for the Braves Friday night. Luis Garcia will be the Astros’ Game 3 starter. Neither lineup is familiar with the other team’s starter.

Garcia had an impressive first season in 2021, going 11-8 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP for Houston. The right-hander looked every bit like a rookie in his first two playoff starts, giving up 10 runs over 3.2 innings. Garcia rebounded in Game 6 of the ALCS, allowing two baserunners and no runs over 5.2 innings to send the Astros to the World Series.

Anderson has followed up his 3.58 ERA in the regular season with a 2.25 ERA this postseason. The Braves have won all three of Anderson’s outings, though he’s only averaged four innings per start. Anderson averaged 5.1 innings per start before the playoffs.

Since he made his playoff debut a year ago, Anderson has never allowed more than two runs in a postseason start. In 30.2 postseason innings, Anderson has a 1.47 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 36 strikeouts. Anderson has not lost a playoff game.

In the regular season, Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley both had an OPS north of .940 against right-handers. Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall slugged over .520 against righties with the Braves. Eddie Rosario slugged .602 against right-handed pitchers before his postseason outburst.

Garcia is the more likely candidate to be knocked out of Game 3 early. He posted a 4.24 ERA on the road in the regular season, and he was worse in his one playoff start away from Houston.

Atlanta is 6-0 at home this postseason.

Game 3 Prediction: Atlanta over Houston, 6-3

Atlanta's Jorge Soler hits a double during the eighth inning in the Braves 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to wrap up their NLCS series in six games
Atlanta's Jorge Soler hits a double during the eighth inning in the Braves 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to wrap up their NLCS series in six games GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Kevin C. Cox
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