With series tied, teams head to Atlanta

derson is 3-0 with a 1.47 earnedrun average.

“Still going to pitch my game,” he said. “Still going to do what I’ve been doing all year and try to get us back in the dugout and let those guys do their thing.”

Anderson noted Yuri Gurriel, who batted an American Leagueleading .319 during the regular season, bats seventh for Houston.

“I think when you have the batting champ batting seventh, that definitely makes your lineup pretty deep,” Anderson said. “It will definitely be a little different ... playing in the National League ballpark. So I think we can use that to our advantage. Yeah, they have a ton of names, and they keep coming at you, that’s for sure.”

Anderson, who grew up as a Red Sox fan because of his father, Bob, recalled watching Boston win the 2004 World Series to end an 86-year championship drought. Ian Anderson was 6 years old at the time.

“I remember watching that with my dad and staying up pretty late for that one,” Ian Anderson said. “That’s kind of the first game I remember staying up late for and just seeing his reaction, being a lifetime fan, that was awesome. He’s probably more excited for this without a doubt. He was pretty jacked up after Game 1. So, yeah, he’ll probably be a mess, but he’ll enjoy it.”

Bob Anderson and his wife, Karen, have been following their son since the National League Division Series against Milwaukee and haven’t returned to their home in Rexford since. They’re staying with Ian and his girlfriend in Atlanta. Ian Anderson’s brothers and grandparents are coming down for Game 3.

“Just going from his first professional appearance to first playoff appearance and now we’re talking World Series here,” Bob Anderson, who is retired, said by phone from Atlanta. “Yeah, I pretty much live and die with every pitch. When I’m

watching at home, I’m a little more boisterous but sitting in the stands I’m pretty quiet, taking it all in, hoping for the best.”

Anderson said his son should show his usual composure.

“Obviously, pregame, I’m sure he’ll have butterflies, maybe a little bit more because it’s the

World Series,” Bob Anderson said. “But once he takes the mound and throws that first pitch, he’ll settle in. He’s pretty calm and cool and knows how to slow the game down and he’s a pretty confident kid. He should do well.”

Bob Anderson admitted he would have liked to see his son pitch in the World Series against the Red Sox, who lost to Houston in six games in the American League Championship Series.

“Absolutely,” Bob Anderson said. “Selfishly, we were hoping for that so we could get home for a little bit and just travel over when they were in Boston to see the games. We were rooting for the Sox.”