LOS ANGELES – How many times in your life have you heard these two words? Game 7. Do I need to say anymore?
Wednesday night, the Astros and Dodgers will settle this World Series once and for all. It's a decisive final game to see who takes home the coveted prize.
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The series is now square at three games each after the Astros fell 3-1 in Tuesday’s Game 6.
"This series has really gone back and forth,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said after Tuesday’s loss. "These are two great teams trying to get to the finish line. We’ll collect ourselves and both teams will bring as much energy as you can possibly imagine for Game 7."
The pitching matchup is also set, although with any slip-ups, both skippers will have guys on standby.
For the Astros, Hinch will give the baseball to right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. The 24-year-old won Game 5, and also took out the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS, tossing four shutout innings against New York.
Now, he will get the start of his career at Dodger Stadium and be opposed by Dodger hurler Yu Darvish, who didn’t last long in Game 3 when the Astros knocked him out after only 1 2/3 innings, giving up four runs at Minute Maid Park.
While McCullers and Darvish will get their shot to get the job done, get ready to see some some guys we all know well. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw tossed in the bullpen Tuesday and said after the game that he could give skipper Dave Roberts a couple of innings. On the Astros side, Hinch will have Charlie Morton available, along with Dallas Keuchel, and he wouldn’t rule out Justin Verlander for a brief stint. He said they’ll re-evaluate prior to game time.
Keys to an Astros win
1. Enjoy the moment - This is a Game 7 and what all players dream of experiencing. The Astros will get a hostile environment at Dodger Stadium.
2. Leave it all on the field - That is a given for both teams. Remember, the dream began back in February and lasted throughout the 162-game season to get to this point. Now, is the time to give it all you have and produce.
3. Jump on Darvish - The Astros, just like in Game 3, need to grind early on Darvish. He’ll have the crowd behind him. He’s on full rest, so the Astros will get his best shot. The combination of Altuve and Correa have no RBIs in the Astros' six losses in the ALCS and World Series. In the Astros' seven wins in both series, Altuve and Correa have 17 RBIs. So, they need to get on track.
4. McCullers, stay composed - Lance has one of the best curveballs in baseball, and he’ll need to have his good stuff on the bump for Game 7. He is the ultimate warrior and really welcomes this challenge. In his podium interview after the game, McCullers had his game face on already.
5. Managers - The pressure is really on now that we have reached Game 7. Decisions will be critical. Hinch needs to win this head-to-head battle with Roberts.
6. Do what it takes - Get on base, get hits, move runners and play clean defense. Simple as that.
7. Be the last team standing - The Astros have made it. The Dodgers are back and hosting their first Game 7 ever at Dodger Stadium. Take care of business, win the title and bring it back to Houston.
Enjoy the game. Buckle up, because it’s going to be fun.
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