Who will win the World Series presented by YouTube TV? Will it be the Astros or Dodgers? We asked the experts from MLB.com and MLB Network to weigh in, and here are their predictions.
Jesse Sanchez
The Astros have an explosive offense and enough starting pitching to shut the Dodgers' bats down. It's going to be a close Series, but I expect the runs the Astros score against the Dodgers' starting pitching in the first few innings of each game to be the difference. The Dodgers will score on Houston's bullpen.
PREDICTION: Astros in 6
Anthony Castrovince
The Astros' bullpen isn't as bad as it looked in the Bronx in the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World, but the transition of Kenta Maeda to relief work has strengthened a Dodgers unit that was struggling with its setup situation late in the season. Ultimately, the Dodgers have the deeper back end, and that will be the separator in a Series featuring two superpowers.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 6
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Alyson Footer
The Astros have gotten everything they needed from ALCS MVP Justin Verlander, and the rotation looks strong, especially if Lance McCullers and Charlie Morton can come close to replicating their performances in Game 7 of the ALCS. But the World Series will come down to the effectiveness of the bullpens, and the Dodgers have the advantage.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 5
Richard Justice
The Astros have a deeper lineup and possibly a better rotation. But the problem will be protecting leads with a relief corps that has a 5.03 ERA in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Dodgers bullpen has been this postseason's best (0.94 ERA).
PREDICTION: Astros in 7
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Carlos Pena
I'm going with the Dodgers, I think they are a slightly better team because of that bullpen.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 7
Cliff Floyd
The Astros are great at home -- they are 6-0 at home in the postseason -- and had the most road wins during the regular season (53).
PREDICTION: Astros in 7
Jim Duquette
The Astros are hoping to ride their momentum into winning at least one road game in L.A., but the Dodgers' all-around depth in their pitching and offense will end up neutralizing the explosive Astros.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 6
Robert Flores
As a native Houstonian, this is tough: My heart says Astros and my head says Dodgers. Astros Twitter would have a field day with me if I picked against the Astros, so …
PREDICTION: Astros in 6
Joe Posnanski
Home field, home field, home field. Neither the Dodgers nor the Astros have come close to losing at home this postseason, and both teams seem to have huge advantages in their pitcher-friendly parks. I think the Dodgers, with Corey Seager back, hold serve in the first two games, then steal a game in Houston to set up winning the title in Chavez Ravine.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 6
Mark Feinsand
The Astros and Dodgers are about as evenly matched as two teams can be when it comes to the starting rotation, lineup and defense. But Los Angeles holds a significant advantage in the bullpen, and given the close nature of postseason games, that relief corps will be the difference-maker in this World Series.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 5
Jon Paul Morosi
The Dodgers have not lost in L.A. this postseason. The Astros are 1-4 on the road. That is noteworthy, especially since Dodger Stadium would host Game 7. But here are the most crucial numbers of all: The Dodgers' bullpen has a 0.94 ERA in these playoffs, compared to 5.03 for Houston.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in 6