It is very rare that we get a World Series rematch the very next season, but we are treated to three games of it at Dodger Stadium this weekend. The series got started on Friday night and was headlined by Justin Verlander, who struck out 14 batters over 7.2 innings in the Houston Astros' 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits and walked one in his 11th win of the season.
The only blemish against Verlander on the night was a first-inning solo shot off the bat of Joc Pederson. It was the slugger's second straight leadoff home run, fifth of the season, and eighth of his career. From there, it seemed as if the Dodgers were going to keep the bats going following a 21-5 blowout victory over the Milwaukee Brewers the night before
Instead, the former Detroit Tigers ace, who played a big role in the Astros seven-game World Series victory last season, tied a season-high in strikeouts. It was his first-career regular season victory at Dodger Stadium, and that includes last postseason. Despite pitching really well, he suffered a loss and a no-decision in two road starts during the World Series.
Outside of Pederson's home run, the Dodgers were held to just singles, including two from Chris Taylor and one from Cody Bellinger. Verlander struck out the side twice on the night, and gave away to the closer Hector Rondon. He would come on to get the final four outs of the game and record his 11th save of the season. Houston will have recently-acquired reliever Roberto Osuna available for the final game of the season when is suspension is up on Sunday.
The only Astros' offense was from the bat of George Springer, who smacked an RBI double in the second inning. That play would also score a second run after Bellinger mishandled the ball. Springer crushed the Dodgers during the "Fall Classic" last year, hitting five home runs, including one in each of the final four games.
This series will continue on this weekend between the two first-place teams. The Astros have a five-game lead on the Oakland Athletics in the AL West, while the Dodgers sit in a tie with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top spot in the NL West.
The only blemish against Verlander on the night was a first-inning solo shot off the bat of Joc Pederson. It was the slugger's second straight leadoff home run, fifth of the season, and eighth of his career. From there, it seemed as if the Dodgers were going to keep the bats going following a 21-5 blowout victory over the Milwaukee Brewers the night before
Instead, the former Detroit Tigers ace, who played a big role in the Astros seven-game World Series victory last season, tied a season-high in strikeouts. It was his first-career regular season victory at Dodger Stadium, and that includes last postseason. Despite pitching really well, he suffered a loss and a no-decision in two road starts during the World Series.
Outside of Pederson's home run, the Dodgers were held to just singles, including two from Chris Taylor and one from Cody Bellinger. Verlander struck out the side twice on the night, and gave away to the closer Hector Rondon. He would come on to get the final four outs of the game and record his 11th save of the season. Houston will have recently-acquired reliever Roberto Osuna available for the final game of the season when is suspension is up on Sunday.
The only Astros' offense was from the bat of George Springer, who smacked an RBI double in the second inning. That play would also score a second run after Bellinger mishandled the ball. Springer crushed the Dodgers during the "Fall Classic" last year, hitting five home runs, including one in each of the final four games.
This series will continue on this weekend between the two first-place teams. The Astros have a five-game lead on the Oakland Athletics in the AL West, while the Dodgers sit in a tie with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top spot in the NL West.
