The Washington Nationals were the first to punch their ticket to the World Series after sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Washington finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in baseball. The Nationals were sitting with a record of 19-31 in May and looked out of the playoff race. However, in our 2019 MLB playoff predictions, we predicted the Houston Astros to win it all. Barring a comeback by the Yankees, the Houston Astros will represent the AL in the World Series. How do these two teams stack up against each other? Let’s examine that question by breaking down the pitching and hitting between the two sides.
Pitching
Pitching is the strength for both teams this season and will play a pivotal role in the World Series. This year the Fall Classic will feature Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg, to name a few. Scherzer is the favorite to win the NL Cy Young with Strasburg sitting as the 4th most likely to win it. Meanwhile, the AL Cy Young race is between two pitchers who play for the Astors in Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. Unsurprisingly given that pair, the Astros are giving up the 2nd fewest runs per game at 3.92 and striking out the most in the majors with 10.35. Meanwhile, the Nationals are giving up 8th fewest runs with 4.39 and striking out the 5th most in the majors with 9.5. The pitching will be a battle the entire series, but the edge goes to the Astros.
Hitting
Both teams are two of the best in the majors when it comes to hitting as well. The Astros are scoring the third-most runs in the majors with 5.58. A significant reason for the success of the Astros this season has been AL MVP candidate Alex Bregman. Bregman hit for a .296 average during the regular season with 41 home runs, 112 RBIs, and scored 122 runs. He has played well in the postseason as well, with a .286 average with one home run, eight RBIs, and scoring nine runs.
Meanwhile, the Nationals have also hit the ball well this season. Washington ranks 6th in runs scored per game this season with 5.34. Anthony Rendon, who currently sits as the 3rd most likely to win the NL MVP, has been a significant contributor to the success. Rendon posted a .319 average with 34 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 117 runs scored during the regular season. He’s also played a key to the success the Nationals have had in the postseason with a .375 average with one home run, seven RBIs and eight runs. The Astros have the better lineup and get the advantage in the hitting category as well.
As we stated before, the postseason began the Astros are going to win the World Series, and we are sticking to that. Houston has the advantages both in pitching and hitting against the Nationals. Who do you have winning it all?