World Series Game Thread: Dodgers vs Astros, 8 PM (FOX)

– 2017 WORLD SERIES GAME 1 –
Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0/104-58) vs. Houston Astros (0-0/101-61)
LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 3.63) vs. LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-1, 2.60)
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 • Dodger Stadium • 8:09 p.m. ET
TV: FOX • Radio: ESPN Radio (National)

The 2017 World Series is finally here! The Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. The game is pegged to be one of the hottest World Series Games in history and possibly the hottest if the temperature at first pitch is higher than 94 degrees; the record set on October 27, 2001 in Phoenix Arizona.

Both teams send their aces to the mound for their first ever World Series. Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the Dodgers while Dallas Keuchel does the same for the Astros. The two lefties have performed well so far this postseason.

The Dodgers and Astros are different in many ways. The Dodgers’ pitching has primarily carried them throughout the season. They finished the season second in MLB with a 3.38 ERA. They also have a payroll of $265,149,292 which is highest in the majors.

The Astros on the other hand have had a historic offense. They scored a MLB-best 896 runs and finished with a the highest weighted runs created plus (121) since the 1931 New York Yankees. In regards to payroll they spent $149,964,163 which is 15th highest in the majors and below the league average of $152,327,084.

These two teams are similar in the way that their front offices have embraced analytics. As Keith Law Tweeted, the Dodgers have the largest analytic department in baseball and the Astros have been the most aggressive in using analytics. However, in the end it’s the players who have brought these teams to where they now are: The Fall Classic.