104 reasons to take Dodgers to win

The 2017 World Series features the first matchup of 100-win teams in the Fall Classic since 1970, when the Baltimore Orioles beat the Cincinnati Reds in five games, with third-baseman Brooks Robinson putting on a defensive clinic for the ages.

There have been seven previous World Series matchups of century-winning teams, but only twice has the 100-win pairing occurred since the advent of division play in 1969. The 100-win Mets beat the 109-win Orioles in 1969 and the 100-win O’s beat the 102-win Reds a year later. Then a came a drought of 46 seasons until this year, with the 104-win Dodgers meeting the 101-win Astros.

What that amazing stat tells you about Major League Baseball is that you can have a roster built for the 162-game marathon that can then meet its demise in the post-season when priorities change and two or three great starters and a strong, deep bullpen can make the difference in a five- or seven-game series, with all of the off-days helping a shallower team.

Prior to 1969, it was just the two pennant winners going directly to the World Series, 100 wins or not. Since ’69, when baseball expanded to Montreal, San Diego, Kansas City and Seattle, there have been 52 teams win 100-plus games. But only 25 have reached the World Series, going 11-12 with this year’s result pending.

A dozen of those 100-game winners were eliminated in the division series, 15 more were knocked out in the championship series.

A look at this year’s World Series matchup:

STARTERS

The Dodgers and Astros each have legitimate rotation aces starting the first two games.

Los Angeles has the best regularseason pitcher in baseball in lefthander Clayton Kershaw, but he has yet to prove as reliable in the postseason. His numbers in the playoffs are just OK (6-7, with a 4.40 ERA in 1061⁄ innings). Justin Verlander, the

3 ALCS most valuable player who was obtained by the Astros at two seconds to midnight on Aug. 31, making him eligible for the post-season, has a cumulative October mark of 11-5, with a 3.00 ERA in 123 innings.

Kershaw is starting Game 1 for the Dodgers; Verlander, Game 2 for the Astros.

Right-hander Yu Darvish and lefties Rich Hill and LH Alex Wood round out the Dodgers rotation, with Darvish obtained from the Rangers at the end of July for just such an important moment.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch will start left-hander Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 Cy Young winner, in Game 1. There is a drop-off after Verlander for the Astros, with right-hander Charlie Morton and one of Brad Peacock or Lance McCullers Jr. filling out the Astros rotation.

BULLPEN

The Dodgers believe that their starting pitchers, beyond the top two, need to go all-out for four to six innings before handing the ball to a deep and talented bullpen. Dodgers relievers combined to throw 17 shutout innings in the NLCS vs. the Cubs, allowing four hits with a walk and 22 strikeouts.

The secret weapon has become former Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow, who has pitched in a setup role featuring a 97-99 m.p.h. fastball. Veteran closer Kenley Jansen is lights out in the ninth and is available for more than three outs. Righty Kenta Maeda will fill a key role in middle relief, with Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson as lefty specialists.

The Astros bullpen is so shaky that manager A.J. Hinch turned to a starter, McCullers, to pitch the final four innings of Game 7 vs. the Yankees, because he does not trust any of right-handers Chris Devenski, Luke Gregerson, Joe Musgrove or former Jays left-hander Francisco Liriano. Even closer Ken Giles scares the Astros. When Houston gets into Games 3, 4 and 5, it will be a relief adventure. Edge: Dodgers

LINEUP

The Dodgers count on third baseman Justin Turner, their version of the Jays’ Josh Donaldson. Rightfielder Yasiel Puig seems to have grown up as a player, while first baseman Cody Bellinger and shortstop Corey Seager are the young bucks that separate them from the rest.

If Seager can’t play, they can fill in with centre-fielder Chris Taylor. The Dodgers have enough bats to find a DH in the Astros’ yard.

The Astros were outscored 22-20 in seven games by the Yankees, with only three regulars hitting above .190. Houston counts on the spark provided by MVP candidate Jose Altuve, along with shortstop Carlos Correa, centre-fielder George Springer and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. DH Evan Gattis may see some action behind the plate against left-handers, but catcher Brian McCann leads the pitching staff. Edge: Astros

INTANGIBLES

Looking for an obscure stat? This is the fifth time a team from the Pacific time zone has met a team from the Central and on all previous occasions — the ’59 Dodgers over the White Sox, the ’65 Dodgers over Minnesota, the 2010 Giants over Texas, and the 2014 Giants over Kansas City — the western team has won. The Astros are motivated to win for their fans by Hurricane Harvey. The Dodgers franchise is more used to the spotlight, having been in 18 previous Fall Classics, with a 6-12 record. Edge: Astros

PICK TO WIN

(But, if the series goes another game and Verlander is on the mound, Astros in seven.)