Washington Nationals World Series: Game 1 features first matchup of aces

Preview and Prediction

We’ve already talked about the importance of Game 1 in the World Series, and how it’s even more important for the road team.

But I get this feeling this series is going the distance and will be a back-and-forth series.

The Washington Nationals have already fallen behind once in this postseason going down two-games-to-one to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. I don’t think they’re going to panic if they lose Game 1.

I say that to temper the expectations in Game 1 for Nats fans, because as great as Scherzer is, Gerrit Cole has been otherworldly this season.

The best hope for the Nationals in Game 1 is that they can somehow get Cole out after 6 innings and that Scherzer can go seven.

That seems pretty obvious, but the Astros bullpen hasn’t been lights out, so the quicker they get into the bullpen the better. But, of course, that will be the strategy for both teams in this series, which is why the Nats need Scherzer to go at least 7 innings.

And as it usually the key for the Nats offense, Turner and Eaton have to get on base for Rendon and Juan Soto.

Turner has been doing his part hitting .286 in the postseason with 3 walks. And while Eaton has hit nearly as well, he still has an OBP over .300 this postsesaon.

I feel like this is going to be a 2-1 game going into the seventh inning, and whichever starter makes it through the seven, his team will win the game.

Winner: Astros

While I think Scherzer will be great and can hold down the Astros offense, I do worry about how rusty the offense might be after the long layoff and then having to face Cole — that’s a hard task for any lineup.

There is your preview and prediction for Game 1 of the 2019 World Series. Let us know you thoughts in the comments below and who you think is going to win.