The time has come for Game 6 of the World Series.
It’s the Astros and the Braves. The series now shifts back to Houston.
The two teams split the first two games in Houston before the series went to Atlanta. The Braves won Games 3 and 4 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. But after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in Game 5, the Braves couldn’t hold it. The Astros came storming back and won the game 9-5, forcing Game 6.
Atlanta is ahead in the series 3-2. One more win, and they secure their first World Series title since 1995. The Astros must win two in a row if they’re to capture their second title in the last five years.
The Astros will be sending Luis Garcia out to the mound on short rest for tonight’s game. Garcia went just 3 ⅔ innings in his start in Game 3 on Friday, as he struggled to keep his pitch count down. But he only allowed one run.
The Braves will counter with Max Fried, who’s struggled his past two starts. He at least managed to log five innings in his start in Game 2, but he was roughed up early and ultimately gave up six runs. He has built a solid reputation for pitching in the postseason though, and he’s only 27. The Braves have to feel confident with their ace on the mound and a chance to close out the series.
Prediction
Both offenses scored plenty of runs in Sunday’s Game 5. The Astros will have their fans behind them as they look to force a Game 7. They hit Fried pretty well in Game 2, and Garcia will be looking to go a little deeper in tonight’s game than he did in Game 3.
But Fried still has a strong postseason reputation, and he’ll be hell bent on trying to right the ship after his last two starts. His first two starts of the postseason were solid, and if there’s any pitcher on the Braves that can handle the bright lights of the World Series, it’s him.
It should be a pitcher’s duel tonight, but ultimately, the Braves will come out on top by a score of 3-1.
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