Can The Dodgers Or Red Sox Make The World Series? Astros, Braves On Verge Of 2021 Matchup

The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves are both one victory away from reaching the 2021 World Series. That means the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of elimination, making a rematch of their 2018 Fall Classic unlikely.

Following two straight wins at Fenway Park, the Astros head back to Houston with a 3-2 series lead in the ALCS. The Braves own a 3-1 lead in the NLCS and can end the Dodgers’ season Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers were in the same position one year ago, losing three of the first four games in the NLCS to the Braves. Los Angeles came back with three straight victories to clinch the NL pennant before beating the Tampa Bay Rays to win the championship.

The Red Sox have the most famous comeback in the history of baseball. In the 2004 ALCS, Boston shocked the New York Yankees by becoming the only MLB team to ever recover from a 3-0 playoff series deficit. The Red Sox ended their 86-year title drought and have won four championships in the last 17 seasons.

What are the chances that either Boston or L.A. can make another comeback for a trip to the World Series?

The Red Sox and Dodgers are longshots to win the pennant with +380 odds apiece at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Astros and Braves are both -500 favorites to reach the World Series.

Since staring a 3-1 series deficit in the face late in Game 4, the Astros have completely turned the ALCS on its head. An eighth-inning, solo home run by Jose Altuve tied the contest at 2-2. Houston scored seven runs in the ninth inning to beat Boston and even up the series. The Astros’ offensive onslaught continued in Game 5 with a 9-1 win on the Red Sox’s home field.

Nathan Eovaldi, Boston’s most reliable postseason starter, will get the call Friday in Houston for Game 6. The Astros have not yet named a starting pitcher.

With home-field advantage and a better record, Houston entered the ALCS as the favorites to win the series. Atlanta was a clear underdog to start the NLCS, but the Braves have been the most impressive team in either championship series.

Atlanta is an eighth-inning, three-run homer from Cody Bellinger in Game 3 away from sweeping the defending champs. The Braves beat the Dodgers in walkoff fashion on both Game 1 and Game 2. Atlanta rebounded from blowing Game 3 late for what ended up being a 9-2 rout in Game 4.

The Braves are hitting .277/.340/.439 against Los Angeles’ No. 1 ranked pitching staff. The Dodgers, who scored more runs than any NL team during the regular season, have been held to a .219 batting average and a .352 slugging percentage by Atlanta’s pitchers.

Max Fried looks to close out the series for the Braves Thursday. The left-hander gave up two runs in six innings against the Dodgers in Game 1. Fried has a 1.53 ERA in his last 14 starts and has pitched at least six innings in every outing.

The Dodgers will rely on their bullpen with their season on the brink.