The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros have not disappointed in this year’s World Series, with the pair finely poised after five games as the teams return to Houston with the Braves a win away from glory.
The Series starts in Houston
The 2021 World Series got off to a bang, with Braves outfielder Jorge Soler hitting a home run in the very first at bat of the series, the only time that has ever happened in the history of baseball. The Astros never recovered, with pitcher Framber Valdez giving up five runs in just two innings and Atlanta taking the opener 6-2.
Game 2 was a similar story, but this time favouring the home side as Atlanta’s Max Fried gave up five runs in the first two innings, allowing the Astros to rack up an insurmountable lead they would not surrender. Houston took the tie 7-2 and evened the series up as both sides travelled to Atlanta.
Three games in Atlanta
If the story of the first two games was one of starting pitchers struggling, that was not replicated in Game 3.
At just 23 years old, the Braves’ Ian Anderson pitched five scoreless innings before handing over to his bullpen, who notched another four with no Houston runs. Astros starter Luis Garcia gave up just a single run and his side were still in the game when Travis D’Arnaud hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to cap a 2-0 win for Atlanta.
Game 4 was a similarly low scoring affair, with the game at 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh before back-to-back solo home runs by the Braves’ Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler gave Atlanta a 3-2 win.
That success put Atlanta one victory away from the title, and they looked in good shape after they hit a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning in Game 5. However, Houston’s postseason success has been built on resilience and they fought back to secure a 9-5 victory, with Braves’ reliever AJ Minter responsible for three of their runs.
Back to Minute Maid Park
The Astros winning the last game in Atlanta means the series returns to Texas for two final contests if needed. Houston must win both, while victory in either for Atlanta will be good enough for a ring.
The Braves are 5/11 to win their first World Series since 1995, while the Astros are 19/10 to produce a fine comeback to land their second ever title.
In Game 6, Max Fried will look to atone for his showing earlier in the series for Atlanta, while Garcia goes on short rest for Houston.
This has been a series in which bullpens have dominated and it may come down to whichever set of relievers can keep the others’ offence quiet.
Houston are 4/5 to win Game 6, while Atlanta are 11/10. The Braves may prove to be the value selection to get the job done before a must-win decider as Fried should be able to carry Atlanta for longer than Garcia can for Houston.
*All odds correct at time of writing.