A LOOK AT THE WORLD SERIES, WHICH BEGINS TODAY
■ Game 1, today, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 27, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Houston, 8:08 p.m. (All games on FOX). x-if necessary.
■ Season Series: Did not play.
PROJECTED LINEUPS:
■ Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 2B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.257, 6, 27 in 52 games), DH Asdrubal Cabrera (.260, 18, 91 in 131 games with Texas and Washington) or Matt Adams (.226, 20, 56, 115 Ks, 310 ABs in 111 games), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63) or Yan Gomes (.223, 12, 43 in 97 games), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs).
■ Astros: CF George Springer (.292, 39, 96), 2B Jose Altuve (.298, 31, 74), LF Michael Brantley (.311, 22, 90, 40 2Bs), 3B Alex Bregman (.296, 41, 112, 37 2Bs, 119 BBs, 122 runs), 1B Yuli Gurriel (.298, 31, 104, 40 2Bs), SS Carlos Correa (.279, 21, 59 in 75 games), DH Yordan Alvarez (.313, 27, 78 in 87 games), C Martin Maldonado (.213, 12, 27 in 105 games with Royals, Cubs and Astros) or
Robinson Chirinos (.238, 17, 58), RF Josh Reddick (.275, 14, 56).
PROJECTED ROTATIONS:
■ Nationals: RH Max Scherzer (11-7, 2.92 ERA, 243 Ks, 172 ⅓ IP), RH Stephen Strasburg (18-6, 3.32, 251 Ks, NL-high 209 IP in 33 starts), LH Patrick Corbin (14-7, 3.25, 238 Ks, 202 IP), RH Anibal Sanchez (11-8, 3.85).
■ Astros: RH Gerrit Cole (20-5, AL-best 2.50, MLBleading 326 Ks), RH Justin Verlander (21-6, 2.58, career-high 300 Ks, led majors with 223 IP), RH Zack Greinke (18-5, 2.93 with Arizona and Houston), RH Jose Urquidy (2-1, 3.95 in 9 games, 7 starts) or LH Wade Miley (14-6, 3.98).
RELIEVERS:
■ Nationals: RH Daniel Hudson (6-3, 3.00 ERA, 2 saves with Toronto; 3-0, 1.44, 6 saves with Washington), LH Sean
Doolittle (6-5, 4.05 ERA, 2 9/35 saves), RH Tanner Rainey (2-3, 3.91), RH Fernando Rodney (0-2, 9.42 with Oakland; 0-3, 4.05, 2 saves with Washington), RH Javy Guerra (3-1, 4.66, 2 saves with Toronto and Washington), LH Roenis Elias (4-2, 3.96, 14 saves with Seattle and Washington; all 14 career saves for Mariners this season), RH Austin Voth (2-1, 3.30 in 9 games, 8 starts).
■ Astros: RH Roberto Osuna (4-3, 2.63, 3 8/44 saves), RH Will Harris (4-1, 1.50), RH Ryan Pressly (2-3, 2.32), RH Brad Peacock (7-6, 4.12), RH Joe Smith (1-0, 1.80), RH Josh James (5-1, 4.70), RH Hector Rondon (3-2, 3.71), RH Bryan Abreu (0-0, 1.04, 13 Ks, 8 ⅔ IP in 7 games).
MATCHUPS
■ First postseason meeting between the teams, who share spring training complex that opened 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Nationals won first five of six Grapefruit League matchups this year. ... This is first World Series appearance in 51-season history of Nationals franchise that began as Montreal Expos in 1969 and moved to Washington before 2005 campaign. Last time nation’s capital had a pennant winner was 1933 Senators. Only championship came in 1924. ... Astros making third trip to World Series and seeking second title after beating Los Angeles Dodgers on road in Game 7 two years ago.
... Houston earned homefield advantage this time by compiling best regularseason record in majors.
... Astros opened as more than a 2-1 betting favorite in Las Vegas . ... Wild-card Nationals got six days off after 4-0 sweep of St. Louis in NL Championship Series. Houston had two days off after beating Yankees in six-game ALCS. Last year, Boston had two more days of rest than Dodgers before Series and won. But before that, the past nine champions were clubs that had less time off . ... Scherzer and Verlander were teammates in Detroit from 2010-14. They led Tigers to four straight division titles and 2012 World Series berth. Each won a Cy Young Award there, too . ... Rendon was born and raised in Houston and went to college at Rice. He went to high school a few miles from Minute Maid Park and lives in the Houston suburbs during the offseason. In his second major league game back home, he went 4 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBIs on April 30, 2014. He is 9 for 20 in his career at Minute Maid Park. ... Astros starting pitchers went 79-37 and led majors in wins. Washington’s were fourth at 66-36 . ... Nationals starters ranked second with 3.53 ERA. Houston was third at 3.61 . ... Washington starters threw 938 ⅔ innings, second-most in majors. Astros were fourth with 907 ⅓ . ... Houston starters topped majors in strikeouts (1,063), while Nationals finished second with 1,010 . ... Washington starters threw just 15 wild pitches, fewest in majors . ... Washington is batting .308 (20 for 65) in October with runners in scoring position, best among playoff teams. Houston ranks fifth at .175 (14 for 80) . ... Nationals tied for NL lead with 116 stolen bases this season and set franchise record with 231 homers . ... Washington’s bullpen ERA of 5.68 was worst in NL and ranked 29th in majors. To help cover, Nationals used Strasburg, Scherzer and Corbin in relief during playoffs. Unit has been more effective in postseason, with Doolittle regaining All-Star form and Hudson emerging as closer. ... Houston bullpen ERA of 3.75 was second in majors behind Rays . ... Pressly, an All-Star this season, aggravated surgically repaired right knee in ALCS finale but said he’ll be ready for World Series. ... Astros went MLB-best 60-21 at home this season and 5-1 during AL playoffs. Washington is 4-1 on road in postseason.
— ASSOCIATED PRESS