Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros Game 6: Prediction, Odds, Pitchers, Time For 2021 World Series

The Houston Astros aren’t ready for the 2021 World Series to end. The American League champions staved off elimination by defeating the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 on Sunday, overcoming a four-run deficit and sending the series back to Texas.

On Tuesday night in Houston, the Astros look to win Game 6 and force a winner-take-all Game 7. The Braves can clinch the series with a Game 6 victory and win their first championship in 26 years.

Houston has -124 betting odds to win Game 6, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, while Atlanta is a slight underdog at +106. With two chances to win one game and their rotation in better shape, the Braves are -240 favorites to win the Fall Classic. The Astros have +200 odds to complete their World Series comeback.

The Game 6 run total is 8.5.

Braves manager Brian Snitker doesn’t have to tweak his rotation. Max Fried will take the mound in Game 6 and Ian Anderson is set to start in a potential Game 7. Both starting pitchers are working on normal rest.

Astros manager Dusty Baker threw his rotation into flux in an attempt to prolong the series. Game 2 starter Jose Urquidy was the winning pitcher in Game 5 with a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. Those 14 pitches will prevent Urquidy from starting Game 6 on his normal rest, making Luis Garcia Houston’s probable starter Tuesday night.

The teams have alternated being in a starting pitching bind. The Astros are in one now, and Dusty Baker told @Ken_Rosenthal on Fox that after using Urquidy in Game 5 they likely have to go to rookie Luis Garcia on short rest in Game 6.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 1, 2021

Dusty Baker said in his postgame interview #Astros expect to start Luis Garcia on Tuesday in game 6. Garcia started on Friday (game 3) & threw 72 pitches (3 ⅔ IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 6 K). #Braves should go Fried who pitched in game two on Wednesday (5 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 K, 86 pitches)
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) November 1, 2021

Game 6 marks three days’ rest for Garcia. The rookie was on the losing end of the Astros’ 2-0 defeat in Game 3. Garcia only surrendered one earned run, but he didn’t make it out of the fourth inning after giving up three hits and four walks.

In four postseason starts, Garcia has pitched 13 innings for a 7.62 ERA. The right-hander has given up one run in his last 9.1 innings pitched.

Fried was the losing pitcher in Game 2. The left-hander allowed the Astros to score six runs in five innings. In his previous start, Fried gave up five runs in 4.2 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

There’s a good chance the ever-dangerous Houston lineup will have more success against Fried.

Carlos Correa is 4-9 with three RBI in the last two games after picking up just one hit in Games 1-3. Jose Altuve has two home runs in the last four games. Michael Brantley and Yuli Gurriel have both been .300 hitters this series Yordan Alvarez went hitless in Atlanta, but the ALCS MVP is hitting .500/.607/1.000 in seven home playoff games.

With Garcia on short rest and likely a short leash, the bullpen might be the biggest key for the Astros. Houston’s relievers have a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 World Series innings.

Tuesday’s game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

Game 6 Prediction: Houston over Atlanta, 6-4