The best-of-seven series is tied at one game apiece. Game 3 winners usually emerge the ultimate victors when the World Series is tied 1-1.
After the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros dueled in a thrilling extra-inning contest featuring eight home runs in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday, fans can be excused for expecting a lot more stomach-churning action.
The Astros won that game in Dodger Stadium, 7-6, evening the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Friday night the series continues at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, where the Astros have not lost a game in this postseason and have outscored their opponents 31-7.
As ESPN’s David Schoenfield reports, when the World Series is tied, the Game 3 winner goes on to win the whole thing 69 percent of the time.
The Astros are sending right-handed starter Lance McCullers (7-4, ERA 4.25) to the mound. Righty Yu Darvish (10-12, ERA 3.86) will start for LA.
Friday night’s game in an American League park also features designated hitters in both lineups. The Dodgers’ DH will be Joc Pederson in the eighth slot; the Astros will go with Evan Gattis batting seventh.
