Three factors that will make or break the Astros and Dodgers in the World Series

Will AL MVP candidate Jose Altuve (left) and NL Cy Young frontrunner Clayton Kershaw (right) make impact in their first World Series? (Thumbnail credit to Sports Illustrated)

After 162 games and two hard-fought, competitive series, the American League champion Houston Astros and National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers are set to begin the 113th World Series, with Game 1 in Dodger Stadium being Tuesday night.

Houston fended off two historically successful AL East teams in the Boston Red Sox and the 27-time champion New York Yankees in the ALDS and ALCS, respectively.

In the other dugout is the league-leading Dodgers who finished the season with 104 wins, defeating the pitching juggernaut Washington Nationals and the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the NLDS and NLCS, respectively.

This year, we are in for a treat, as the World Series features two 100-win teams for the first time since 1970 when the Baltimore Orioles (108-54) and the Cincinnati Reds (102-60) played in the Fall Classic.

As Game 1 begins Tuesday, there are questions surrounding the best teams from each league. Here's a rundown of just a few:

#1: How will rest play a factor?

The Houston Astros are coming off an intense ALCS against the Yankees that just ended Saturday night, completing a comeback being down 3-2 in the series after taking the first two games.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have had an extra two games off, as they finished their NLCS against the Cubs in just five games, with the final game finishing on Thursday.

The extra couple days of rest may seem like an advantage to the NL champion Dodgers, but historically, the cards may be stacked against them.

Last year, the Cleveland Indians had a whole six days rest before Game 1 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs, who had four days rest. The Cubs went on the win their first title in 108 years in seven games.

The same result happened with four-days-rest Kansas City in 2015 when they played a New York Mets team who swept the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS and had six days of rest. The Royals won in five.

In the last 10 years, only the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies and 2014 San Francisco Giants won the World Series on five or more days rest between the clinching AL/NLCS game and Game 1 of the World Series.

Other teams, including the 2007 Colorado Rockies who had nine days rest after sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks, all lost. In fact, after sweeping Arizona and having more than a week to prepare, the Rockies were swept by the Boston Red Sox.

The Dodgers have had five days to rest. Will they rise to the occasion like the Giants or crumble like the Rockies?

#2: Will either team win road games?

The Houston Astros had an interesting route to the World Series. Entering the World Series, the AL champs are 1-4 on the road in the postseason.

The Astros have proven they can hold their ground, being a perfect 6-0 at Minute Maid Park in the ALDS and ALCS.

Houston dropped Game 3 to the Red Sox at Fenway Park in a 10-3 rout. They managed to recover late in Game 4, winning 5-4 after putting up runs in the 8th and 9th innings to send Boston home.

However, in the ALCS, the Astros could not win any games in Yankee Stadium. After taking the first two games in Houston, the Astros fell in a three-game sweep on the road.

If they hadn't held their ground in Houston for the last two remaining games, the Yankees would be in the Fall Classic.

The home-field advantage is now shifted against the Astros. They have play four of the seven possible games in Dodger Stadium, meaning they have to win at least one road game if they want to win it all.

The Dodgers on the other hand, have played incredible October baseball, being 7-1 in the NLDS and NLCS. This includes a 3-1 road record.

The only road game the Dodgers lost was a 3-2 nailbiter in Wrigley Field against the Cubs who put ace Jake Arrieta on the mound.

For the Astros, it will be a matter of playing tooth and nail to win in Dodger Stadium to give themselves a chance.

However, with the Dodgers boasting the best home record in Major League Baseball during the regular season (57-24), that will be no easy task.

#3: Who will outperform: World Series rookies or October veterans?

At the trade deadline, the Astros traded for longtime Detroit Tigers pitcher, 34-year-old Justin Verlander.

The transaction has paid its dividends, as Verlander has yet to lose a decision since joining the Astros.

In fact, remember that one road game the Astros won during the postseason while in Boston? Guess who got the winning decision that game. That's right, Justin Verlander.

Verlander was 5-0 with an unimaginable 1.06 ERA over 34 innings in the regular season with Houston. He transferred that performance in the postseason, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.46 ERA over 24.2 innings pitched.

However, Verlander can only give you so much. For the Astros, young, talented stars are getting the taste of their first Fall Classic.

Players like MVP candidate Jose Altuve, young gunners George Springer, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and star pitcher Dallas Keuchel are getting their first chance to star in the grandest stage in baseball.

Even 12-year veteran Brian McCann is getting his first chance at a World Series title.

On the other side, perennial Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw has had his struggles before in October. This year has been filled with solid performances by Dodger pitching.

Even without Kershaw, the Dodgers have had incredible success, allowing just 18 earned runs over 71 innings pitched. However, they have allowed 14 home runs during the postseason.

Although Kershaw has held a modest 3.63 ERA in the postseason, the other 10 pitchers have been dominant. With Kershaw, the Dodgers have a 2.28 ERA in October. Without Kershaw, LA has a stunning 1.84 team ERA.

Stars Kenta Maeda and Yu Darvish, along with veterans Brandon Morrow and Rich Hill can carry the team without Clayton Kershaw, who holds a 4.00+ career ERA in the postseason.

Also, the Dodgers have stars in the postseason. Cuban star Yasiel Puig has hit .414 in the Dodgers eight postseason games. Utility man Kike Hernandez hit three homeruns in the clinching victory against the Chicago Cubs.

Finally, the Dodgers have one of the best postseason hitters in third baseman Justin Turner, who can boast an incredible .368 batting average in the postseason, almost cracking the top 10 all-time hitters in the playoffs.

One thing is for sure. Two great teams. Two incredible rosters and incredible stories on either side. It's time for World Series baseball. Enjoy.