World Series Game 2 Preview and Predictions

Trade deadline hero Justin Verlander takes the mound for Houston as the Astros take on lefty offspeed specialist Rich Hill and the Dodgers, who won Game 1 of the World Series. (Photo/Chris Carlson/Associated Press) (Photo/Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night, beating the Houston Astros 3-1 in LA.

After the literal hottest start to a playoff game (a scorching 103 degrees at the time of first pitch), the Dodgers took care of business with a masterful performance of their pitching staff, led by ace Clayton Kershaw.

The Dodgers seek to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, while the Astros turn to their veteran star Justin Verlander to help tie the series at one.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers turn to their own veteran in lefty journeyman Rich Hill. Hill, 37, has turned in a strong season with the Dodgers, posting a 12-8 record with a 3.32 ERA.

In the other dugout, the Astros have 34-year-old Verlander who has yet to lose a decision since joining the Astros at the very end of August. Including the postseason, the righty who had spent all of his career's 13 seasons with the Detroit Tigers has been untouchable.

Verlander has posted a 9-0 record with a staggering 1.38 ERA over 58.2 innings pitched, including his 4-0 postseason record with a 1.06 ERA.

However, the Astros cannot rely solely on the arm of Justin Verlander. In the postseason, the Astros have scored just 14 runs in 6 road games, a dismal 2.3 runs per game.

No matter what pitching staff you have, regardless of Justin Verlander, Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, all-star Chris Devenski and solid closer Ken Giles, 2.3 runs will not be enough. The Astros have won just one of six road games this postseason because of this lack of offense on the road.

Also, their only road win against Boston in Game 4 of the ALDS was the only time this postseason that the Astros have scored five or more runs on the road.

The Astros may get away with scoring two or three runs given how automatic Justin Verlander has been. However, if A.J. Hinch has to turn to his bullpen before the 8th inning, the bullpen has to get over their inconsistency.

At the plate, AL MVP candidate Jose Altuve, who hit a monstrous .381 on the road during the regular season, has plummeted to hitting 4-22 (.182) on the road in the postseason.

As a whole, the Astros have only managed to hit .196 on the road this postseason. Since the start of the ALCS, the Astros have hit under .115 at the plate while on the road. .115! For an AL champion team! That is almost getting one hit per time around the batting lineup. That does nothing but stifle any chance you have of beating any team on the road.

Also, the Dodgers have had phenomenal pitching from their bullpen and now from Clayton Kershaw through Game 1. Prior to Tuesday night, Kershaw had a 3.63 ERA in this postseason.

Although that's not a red flag, the Astros could've done more than muster up one run on three hits with 11 strikeouts against Clayton Kershaw, who has historically struggled in October.

If the Dodgers can get deep into the game with Rich Hill and turn to their reliable bullpen stacked with former starter Brandon Morrow, one-or-two-out guys like Josh Fields and Tony Cingrani and take the lead into the 9th inning, I can't see why almost-unstoppable Kenley Jansen can't shut the door and take Game 2 into the bag for the Dodgers.

Also, if the young guns the Dodgers have in Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger can get going, the Dodger lineup can hit the cover off the ball all night.

Prediction: I believe that Justin Verlander will keep up his pace and continue to dominate in October. I also believe Rich Hill won't be able to keep Houston off the board for however many innings he pitched, which I believe will be in the 5 or 6 range.

However, A.J. Hinch will have to turn to his bullpen with an Astros lineup that will only be able to get a handful of hits and at most two runs on Hill. The uncertainty of guys like Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski will give just enough room for the Dodgers to make a rally out of a leadoff walk or having a man in scoring position with less than two outs.

By the way Hinch turns to a new arm from the 'pen like Luke Gregerson or Francisco Liriano, the momentum will turn to the Dodgers and it'll be all she wrote.

If the Dodgers have the lead heading into the 7th or later in the ballgame, I don't see Houston netting more than one baserunner per inning, if that.

Whoever Dave Roberts puts on the mound into the 8th will have enough success to give Kenley Jansen the lead he needs to give the Dodgers the victory in the 9th and the Dodgers will march into Houston up two games to none.

Who wins games 3-5 are up for grabs but Houston MUST take care of business in Los Angeles and give their bats some adrenaline shots or ANYTHING that can muster up more than just a few hits and a couple runs.

Jose Altuve, George Springer, Brian McCann, Alex Bregman who homered in Game 1, heck, even Josh Reddick. These guys, any one of them, have to literally step up to the plate and deliver for their offense or else they have zero chance of winning.

In summary, I take the Dodgers winning 4-2 tonight and winning their first two home games of the series.

Game 2 of the World Series comes live Wednesday night from Dodger Stadium on FOX. First pitch will be around 5:10 pm local time, 8:10 pm EST.