World Series 2017 Game 7: Prediction, Betting Odds For Dodgers vs. Astros

It all comes down to Wednesday night for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros. Yu Darvish, Lance McCullers Jr. and two worn out bullpens will decide the winner of the 2017 World Series in Game 7 at Dodger Stadium.

With the way this series has played out, it only makes sense for it to come down to one final game. Two extra-inning games, only one game decided by more than two runs and historic comebacks make this year’s Fall Classic one of the greatest of all time.

The starting pitching matchup is a rematch of Game 3. Darvish had nothing in his first-ever World Series appearance, recording just five outs and giving up four earned runs. McCullers battled through 5.1 innings, surrendering three earned runs and getting the victory in a 5-3 Astros win. Brad Peacock closed out the game for Houston by getting the final 11 outs without allowing a hit.

Game 7 will be about much more than the two starting pitchers. Just about every pitcher is available in what’s guaranteed to be the final game of the MLB season. That could even include Justin Verlander, who suffered his first loss as an Astro when he gave up two runs in six innings Tuesday night.

Having an expanded bullpen is key for both teams, who have had trouble getting outs with their relievers. Entering Game 6 with a 7.58 ERA in the World Series, Houston’s bullpen allowed one run in two innings Tuesday night. Los Angeles got five scoreless innings from their bullpen after starting the game with a 5.32 ERA.

L.A. used all of their top relievers to force a Game 7. Brandon Morrow continued his streak of pitching in every game this series, and Kenta Maeda made his fourth appearance in six days. Kenley Jansen was perfect, though he went two innings for the save.

Where will Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts turn if he needs to pull Darvish early? Clayton Kershaw could be available after he was unable to hold a sizeable lead in Game 5. The left-hander is no stranger to closing out winner-take-all games, having done it in Game 5 of the 2016 NLDS when he got a two-out save on just one day of rest.

Houston’s bats were able to figure out Kershaw at Minute-Maid Park, but they looked lost against the three-time Cy Young winner at Dodger Stadium in Game 1. It’s been a theme throughout the playoffs for the Astros. Their lineup has looked like baseball’s best at home while struggling on the road.

The Astros are 2-6 on the road this postseason, averaging 2.75 runs per game with a .215 batting average and a .642 OPS. Houston is 8-1 at home, scoring 5.7 runs per game with a .273 batting average and an .862 OPS. Jose Altuve has five road playoff hits and 17 hits at home.

Game 6 was Houston’s chance to close out the series. They had a lead with the best playoff pitcher of 2017 on the mound, and they couldn’t get the job done. Now, they’ll have to make history and become just the second team ever to win two Game 7’s in one postseason.

As bad as the Dodgers’ bullpen has been, Houston’s relievers have been even worse. Manager A.J. Hinch can’t trust his closer, and McCullers hasn’t thrown more than six innings in a game since June 8. Darvish had allowed one run or fewer in each of his five starts before Game 3.

The Dodgers have -162 betting odds in Game 7, via OddsShark, and the Astros are +152 underdogs.

Prediction: Los Angeles over Houston, 4-2

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