Dodgers, Astros brace for scorching start to series

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Baseball’s “Fall Classic” was slated to begin in decidedly summer-like conditions on Tuesday night in Los Angeles when temperatures were forecasted to set a new high for a World Series game.

Temperatures were expected to reach as high as 101 F (33.3 C) during Game 1 of the series between the hometown Dodgers and Houston Astros as warm Santa Ana winds swept into the area.

The Dodgers’ Game 1 starter Clayton Kershaw, however, said players on both sides were well prepared for the heat.

“They’re from Houston. I’m from Texas,” the Dallas native told reporters. “It’s going to be hot for everybody. We’re all used to it. It will be fine.”

If forecasters were correct, Tuesday’s game was set to eclipse the previous record for a World Series set in 2001 when 94-degree temperatures greeted the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks for Game 1 in Phoenix.

As bad as it is likely to get, the heat was not enough to sway Astros starter Dallas Keuchel to shave his beard, he said.

“It’s going to be hotter than normal but at the same time, I like to sweat. I like to get that perspiration and make sure I have a firm grip on the ball,” he said.

“And, I mean, it’s the World Series, so if it’s a little bit hotter than usual, that’s fine with me.” There’s no place I’d rather be.”