The Nationals have been rolling since late June and made a push to get back to the MLB playoffs after a 19-31 start this season. They have posted the best record in baseball since that terrible start. Led by an impressive lineup that features National League RBI leader and MVP candidate Anthony Rendon and young star outfielder Juan Soto, the Nats have been scoring runs in bunches and they swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS to get here.
The starting pitching features Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and even Anibal Sanchez, who has resurrected his career in D.C. However, the bullpen has been a big question mark all season long and unless Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson continue to shine, it could be lights out for the Nationals against the formidable Astros lineup.
The Astros, who defeated the New York Yankees in the ALCS, have ALCS MVP Jose Altuve leading the way along with American League MVP candidate Alex Bregman. George Springer, Carlos Correa and Yuri Gurriel are also big hitters in the lineup.Houston also plays solid defense and their pitching is stellar as Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander anchor the starting staff. Trade deadline pickup Zack Greinke has added even more strength to the rotation and the bullpen has proven to be another strong suit this post-season.
All in all, it looks to be an exciting World Series ahead as a team gets there for the first time ever (Nationals are the former Montreal Expos - who never made the World Series) while the Astros try to win their second World Series in the last three years.
PREDICTION - Houston Astros over Washington Nationals in six games.
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