Houston, Los Angeles Set For Game 1 Of The World Series

The first pitch will be thrown Tuesday night as the 2017 World Series underway at Dodger Stadium as Los Angeles who is a member of the National League West takes on Houston who is a member of the American League West.

October does not bow in reverence toward what the regular season wrought. October is a season unto itself, and we've seen, time and time again, six months of magic upended by one rough series of postseason play. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

That's why it's so refreshing to see a Fall Classic that keeps it 100. With Clayton Kershaw and Dallas Keuchel opposing each other, the Astros and Dodgers open the World Series presented by YouTube TV tonight (8 p.m. ET/FOX) at Dodger Stadium having already achieved the rare feat of living up to their own individual acclaim and esteem. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

Call it the Century Series, because these two teams, unlike so many others before them, have stayed true to their elite status. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

"That's a great thing," Astros closer Ken Giles said. "You want to have the best teams face each other in the World Series. It doesn't get better than that." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

The Dodgers won 104 games in the regular season, the Astros 101. When Game 1 dawns -- mere minutes from Century City, and with high temperatures in the area expected to hit 100 -- it will be the first time two 100-win teams face each other in the Series since the Reds and Orioles in 1970, and the first time in any postseason series since the Yankees-Royals American League Championship Series in 1977. Only seven times have two 100-game winners met on this Series stage. Now come these two clubs. They have already accomplished so much this year, but they know a triple-digit win total, in and of itself, is far from enough. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

"We're four wins away from accomplishing our goal," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

These teams play with purpose -- the Dodgers trying to end their 29-year championship drought dating back to 1988, and the Astros trying to win it all for the first time in their 55-year franchise history after getting swept by the White Sox in their lone appearance, in 2005. They play with passion, against the backdrop of what Hurricane Harvey did to Houston and what Hurricane Maria did to Puerto Rico, the home island of Astros stars Carlos Beltran and Carlos Correa and the Dodgers' Game 5 hero in the NLCS, Enrique Hernandez. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

They play with personal ties, such as the close relationship of Roberts and Astros skipper A.J. Hinch. And they play with the pride of representing two organizations that won big not only in the win column but at the two trade cutoffs this summer -- the Dodgers reeling in Yu Darvish mere minutes before the non-waiver Trade Deadline at the end of July, and the Astros bringing Justin Verlander to Houston mere seconds before the waiver deadline at the end of August. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

"You saw two teams that played extremely well throughout the regular season and two front offices that stepped up to bring in the right players to make that final push," Astros third baseman Alex Bregman said. "I think it just shows that both clubs are committed to winning." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

Still, it's the homegrown-stud starters taking the hill in Game 1. Houston came all the way to Hollywood just to run into a Texan, with Dallas-native Kershaw lined up on regular rest against a fully rested Keuchel. Unmet October expectations for the Dodgers have been a bugaboo in Kershaw's probable Cooperstown-worthy career, and he's eager to change that narrative. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

"I grew up a Dodger and got drafted by the Dodgers," Kershaw said. "I didn't know a ton of Dodger history at the time, but coming up it kind of gets ingrained in you, which is a good thing; it's not a lot of organizations that have the type of history that the Dodgers do. It's been a special thing, and I hope after this week is over, they can talk about 2017 a little more and 1988 a lot less." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

The Dodgers, who are 7-1 in this magic month, outscoring their opponents, 48-19, will have had four days of rest by the time Game 1 begins, and they've got star young shortstop Corey Seager back in action after a back injury held him out of the NLCS. ("I've checked all the boxes," Seager said.) Los Angeles has the home-field advantage by virtue of the superior regular-season record (the first club to gain that advantage under the new format). The Dodgers also had a built-in rotation advantage in the first two rounds of the postseason because of the hamstring injury that held up the Nationals' Max Scherzer and the five-game NL Division Series battle that compromised the Cubs. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

But this time, L.A.'s opponent is aligned exactly as hoped -- Keuchel in Game 1, ALCS MVP Verlander in Game 2. This gives the Astros added confidence coming off an epic seven-game battle against the Yankees in the ALCS presented by Camping World. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

"Personally, I thought we were the best team [in the AL] from start to finish, and I thought the Dodgers were the best team in the National League start to finish," Keuchel said. "So this is going to be a great matchup. And it's not overblown, because we've both won 100 games.""according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

Last year the Cubs defeated the Indians to break their 108-year drought without a World Series title, leaving Cleveland -- which has not won a title since 1948 -- as the team with the longest such drought. A win for Houston would be the organization's first since being founded in 1962. A Dodgers victory in the World Series would be their first since 1988, 29 years ago. So either way, a long stretch without a championship will end at the conclusion of this year's Fall Classic.

At the break in 2017, the Dodgers (61-29) and Astros (60-29) were far and away the best two teams in MLB, and at separate points in the season there was talk of each team challenging the 2001 Mariners' record for most wins in a season (116). That didn't happen due to some second-half stumbles that came long after they had both all but locked up their respective divisions, and they've advanced as advertised in October. Both are undefeated at home this postseason, so perhaps the built-in advantage for Los Angeles will prove to be a big deal; it certainly was to Houston in the ALCS, which became the fifth seven-game series in which the home team won every game. That has happened three times in the World Series: the Twins over the Cardinals in 1987, the Twins over the Braves in 1991 and the D-backs over the Yankees in 2001. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

"They're a good team," Astros outfielder Beltran said of the Dodgers. "There's a lot of similarities when I look at the Dodgers and look at our team. They've got talent, and they seem like they really enjoy themselves, they seem like they have good chemistry in the clubhouse, which is great." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

When strength meets strength -- and 100 meets 100 -- that's special stuff. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171022259274526/hollywood-innings-hou-la-world-series-begins/?game_pk=526511

As far as how Houston and Los Angeles got to this point, Houston won game seven against New York.

The season may not have ended the way they would have wanted it to but New York, their fans in New York and around the country should be proud because of the season they had and how far they made it in the playoffs with a team that was full of talent,  young players mixed in with veterans as they made their run that unfortunately ended in the American League Championship as they were shutout by Houston.

The deafening roars began on the first pitch thrown by Charlie Morton in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, and they didn't stop. Solo homers by Evan Gattis in the fourth inning and Jose Altuve in the fifth rocked Minute Maid Park, and a two-run double by Brian McCann later in the fifth sent the ballpark into a frenzy. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

The party was just getting started. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Only four years after losing a club-record 111 games -- in their first year in the AL in 2013 -- the Astros completed a remarkable run to the World Series by beating the Yankees, 4-0, on Saturday night to win the ALCS presented by Camping World and send Houston to its second Fall Classic. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"It's something special, man," shortstop Carlos Correa said. "It's like, 'We're going to the World Series.' It's something you think of and dream of as a little kid, and now it's real." "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"We've earned it," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "I think our team has been singularly focused from the very beginning. In Spring Training, we felt we had this caliber team, and at that point, we stopped talking about it. … There's two teams left standing, and I don't care what cities they're from -- one of them is from Houston." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

After disposing of the Red Sox in the AL Division Series presented by Doosan and the Yankees in the ALCS, the Astros will meet another iconic franchise in the World Series presented by YouTube TV -- the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the NLCS presented by Camping World after posting the best record in baseball this year. Game 1 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles. This will mark the first time since 1970 (Reds-Orioles) that 100-win teams will meet in the World Series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"[The Dodgers are] a good team," Astros third baseman Alex Bregman said. "I think if you looked up about halfway through the season, both of us were leading the AL and the NL, and ... a lot of people were saying, 'Hey, Astros-Dodgers.' I think a lot of us have been keeping a close eye on what they're doing. We just need to go in and play our game." "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

For just the fifth time, the home team won all seven games in the series, with the Yankees scoring just three runs in four games at Minute Maid Park after outscoring the Astros by 14 runs (19-5) in the middle three games of the series in New York. The Yanks fell a game shy of their 41st World Series appearance and were eliminated by Houston for the second time in three years. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"This group is just unbelievable," said Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, who worked 3 1/3 innings and took the loss. "I have 25 brothers in here, and we played that way all year. We've got nothing to hang our heads about. This is tough, it hurts, but we'll be better for it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Morton threw five scoreless innings for the Astros, allowing a pair of hits and striking out five batters, before turning the ball over to fellow starter Lance McCullers Jr., who finished off the shutout with four one-hit innings. He retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced with a steady diet of curveballs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"I talked to [Dallas Keuchel] yesterday, and he said, 'Hey, you may not be starting, but you may finish it,'" McCullers said. "And I said, 'Man, if I have the ball with any opportunity to finish the game, I'm emptying the gas tank every pitch, and I'm just going to keep going and going until they tell me otherwise.' "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"I did not want to come out of that game. I cannot say enough about this team. This team is unreal. Everyone wrote us off, man. Win the first two, lose three at Yankee Stadium, and we're resilient. We knew we're coming home. We had our dude on the mound, [Justin Verlander], our guy for the sixth game. Charlie Morton did an unbelievable job. This team is, start to finish, unreal." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

McCullers got Greg Bird to fly out to center fielder George Springer for the final out, raising his hands in the air before turning to hug McCann. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"That's awesome," said Springer. "To catch that ball and to present that ball to A.J. meant a lot to me." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Gattis opened the scoring by leading off the fourth with a homer to left field off Sabathia. Later in the inning, Sabathia was pulled with runners at first and third base and one out, and reliever Tommy Kahnle needed one pitch to get Springer to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Bird led off the fifth with a double for the Yankees and advanced to third on a wild pitch as Aaron Hicks walked. But Astros third baseman Bregman threw him out at the plate with an aggressive play on a grounder off the bat of Todd Frazier, with McCann applying a difficult tag on Bird. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Bregman said in a similar situation late in the regular season, he threw to second base to start a double play, and a run scored. After talking with Hinch and bench coach Alex Cora, he knew he had to throw home if the game was close. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"I think it was a big momentum swing," Bregman said. "It gave Charlie some confidence and he went out and dominated, and Lance came in and dominated." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

It's tough in that we were one game away from the World Series," Bird said. "It just sucks to lose, plain and simple. That's basically it. We were close. We did a lot of great things this year. There are lot of things we can reflect on and say we did well, but we can get better."

With one out in the fifth, Altuve hit his fifth homer of the playoffs into right field, sending it over the head of Aaron Judge, who robbed Yuli Gurriel of a possible homer with a catch at the wall in the second. Correa and Gurriel followed Altuve's homer with singles, and McCann ripped a two-run double into the right-field corner one out later for a 4-0 Houston lead. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"We've been doing this all year long," said McCann. "They pitched us as good as you could possibly pitch us. They held us down for as long as they could. But when you've got some of the best players in the game, and you've got a bunch of them on one team, it's incredible to come to work every day. And the talent I get to watch from behind the plate, I'm speechless because of what these guys can do on a baseball field. And they're so young and talented. I'm honored to be a part of this team." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Judge used every bit of his 6-foot-7 frame to steal an extra-base hit -- and possibly more -- from Gurriel in the second inning, slamming against the wall in right field for a fantastic catch. Sabathia raised his arms from behind the mound and the Yanks waved their caps following the play, which loomed large later in the inning as Houston made Sabathia work in a 20-pitch frame before keeping Josh Reddick hitless in the ALCS for the time being with a flyout to Judge in right field. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"He's been swinging the bat well these whole playoffs," Judge said. "For me, he's a guy who has good opposite-field power. Right off the bat, I was trying to go out there and make a play for CC. He's pitching his butt off. I just tried to jump up there and make a play." "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Morton had to work out of trouble in the fifth inning, as Bird started the inning with a double to right field and issued a one-out walk to Hicks, with a wild pitch permitting Bird to advance to third base. Morton got Frazier to chop a ball to Bregman at third base, who fired a strike home to catcher McCann in time for the fielder's-choice out. Bird's sprint speed was his fastest of the year at 27.2 feet per second, approximately league average per Statcast™, but not quick enough to beat Bregman's throw and McCann's tag. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"I have no idea how it stayed in my glove or how I caught it or how he put it right on the money," said McCann. "It was just perfect all the way around. It stayed in, Bregs put it right on the money, and I was able to hang on." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

After hurting his former team with a run-scoring ground-rule double in Game 6, McCann struck again to break Game 7 open for Houston with a two-run double in the fifth inning off Kahnle. Altuve's fifth homer of the postseason opened the scoring in the frame. The Yankees traded McCann to the Astros in November for a pair of pitching prospects. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

"Brian McCann, for me, is the MVP of our Astros season, because he grinds every day, he loves this game and loves his teammates and brings out the best of every single thing we throw to him," McCullers said."according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

Altuve's sparkling defensive play to rob Chase Headley of a hit in the third inning merited a challenge from the Yanks' bench. The call on the field was confirmed by review, with Headley remaining out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/259272294/astros-beat-yankees-in-game-7-win-al-pennant/

As for how Los Angeles made it to this point, They won the series against the Chicago Cubs.

Clayton Kershaw was born in the spring of 1988, and that fall, Orel Hershiser shut out the Mets to clinch the Dodgers' previous National League pennant. It seemed fitting that Kershaw was on the mound Thursday night at Wrigley Field, leading Los Angeles back to the World Series for the first time since that memorable October of '88. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Hershiser, though, didn't get the offensive support Kershaw did on Thursday night. Enrique Hernandez matched Major League postseason records with three home runs and seven RBIs -- his grand slam in the third inning breaking it open -- to back Kershaw and power the Dodgers to an 11-1 victory in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series presented by Camping World and eliminate the defending World Series champion Cubs. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Los Angeles will now await the winner of the American League Championship Series between the Yankees and Astros. Game 1 of the best-of-seven World Series presented by YouTube TV will be Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium -- a result of the Dodgers having the best regular-season record in the first year that determines home-field advantage in the Fall Classic. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"Up there with getting married and having kids, it's right up there with one of the best days of my life," Kershaw said of reaching the Fall Classic. "Winning the World Series is really all that we play this game for. All the individual stuff is great, but at the end of the day, I just want to win a World Series. If we win, I might retire, so I might just call it a career. It's a special thing, and I know that I'm not taking that for granted." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Hernandez is the first Dodgers player with three home runs in a postseason game, the 10th in MLB history, the first in the NLCS since the Pirates' Bob Robertson in Game 2 in 1971, and the first to do it in any LCS game since the Angels' Adam Kennedy in Game 5 of the 2002 American League Championship Series. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"Are you sure that's a record? I don't know. It's unbelievable. It's amazing," said Hernandez, whose cancer-survivor father came from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico to watch his son. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

When Kenley [Jansen] and I signed back, we did a press conference at the stadium, and both of us talked about unfinished business and wanting to bring a championship back to L.A. and bring a World Series back to L.A., and we accomplished that," said Justin Turner, who was named co-MVP of the NLCS with Chris Taylor. "There's a lot of work in front of us. We're still not done yet. We're going to enjoy this tonight and start preparing for the next round." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Last year, the Cubs boasted the best record in the Majors, and they beat the Dodgers in six games in the NLCS en route to winning the franchise's first World Series championship since 1908. This year, it's the Dodgers who had the best regular-season record, as well as one of the most dominating pitching staffs. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"We're right where we wanted to be since the start of the year," said Taylor. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"It's a disappointing season that we didn't go to the World Series," Chicago pitcher Jon Lester said, "but whenever you get on the plane to go home or get in the car to go home, you have to look at the positives, and the positives are we gave ourselves a chance. It didn't happen this year. We got beat by a better team. You've got to tip your hat sometimes." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Kershaw, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner looking for his first World Series ring, held the Cubs to three hits -- including a homer by Kris Bryant with one out in the fourth -- over six innings. All seven runs off Kershaw in the postseason came via the home run. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was thrilled for Kershaw, whose October struggles are being exorcised. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"The first thing that comes to mind is Clayton and how long he's been a Dodger and how much he's wanted this opportunity to win a championship," said Roberts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Chicago relied on the long ball. All of its runs in the series came on homers. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"I think if you look at the series, they did exactly what they needed to do to beat us: They executed their plan, pitched great and their bullpen was lights-out," Bryant said. "That makes it tough to score runs." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

The Cubs had won all five potential elimination games since the start of the 2016 postseason, including Wednesday's Game 4. Not this time. They needed starter Jose Quintana to go deep, but the lefty lasted two-plus innings. Quintana gave up a run in both the first and second, then served up four straight hits in the third before he was pulled. Hernandez, who led off the second with his first postseason home run, connected on his slam against Hector Rondon with one out in the third. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Hernandez had two hits in eight postseason at-bats prior to Thursday's game. The home runs and RBIs had to provide some relief for Hernandez, whose family was airlifted from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria struck the island. He had "Pray for P.R." written on his cap. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"Obviously people back home are having a really hard time right now, and for me to be able to do something like this is pretty special," said Hernandez. "My body is here, but my mind is kind of back home. It's hard being away from home with what's going on. To be able to do this in the States like this and against the Cubs that beat us last year, and to get us to the World Series, it's amazing. I honestly can't put it it into words. All I want to do right now is go to my dad and give him a big hug." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Hernandez's two-run blast in the ninth came off Mike Montgomery, who recorded the Cubs' final out in Game 7 of last year's World Series. As the ball sailed into the left-field bleachers, Dodgers players jumped out of the dugout to begin their celebration."according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Los Angeles survived the series without injured All-Star shortstop Corey Seager, and outscored Chicago, 28-8, in the five games. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Taylor doubled to lead off the third and scored on Turner's single to open a 3-0 lead. The Dodgers were just getting started. Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig each singled to chase Quintana. Rondon took over and struck out Logan Forsythe, but then served up Hernandez's grand slam, which opened a 7-0 lead. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

It was clear the Dodgers' approach against Quintana was to be aggressive so they could force the Cubs to go to their bullpen early. It paid off. Taylor led off with a nine-pitch at-bat that resulted in a walk, and he scored one out later on Bellinger's double. Quintana needed 26 pitches to get through the first, and he had thrown 50 when he was lifted. John Lackey, who may retire after this season, entered after Rondon and pitched two innings in relief. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Lackey chose not to speak to reporters afterward. Maddon has known the right-hander since they were together with the Angels in 2002, and they shared a moment following the game. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"I think that might be it," Maddon said of Lackey. "I'm not 100 percent sure he's not coming back next year. ... Hopefully it's not [the end], but if it is, having that chance to be with him in that moment is pretty special for me. Maybe not special for him, but special for me." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

"I know he's wearing his Dodger jacket up there and looking down on us and smiling. I know that smile very well. I thought of him a lot in that ninth inning when the game settled down." -- Roberts, who lost his father in March"according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

The better team won over the course of these five games. They played really well. They kind of out-pitched us and everything else. So give them credit. Dave Roberts and their entire staff, I just want to say, 'Congratulations.' [We] know what it feels like coming off of last year -- we were celebrating versus them in this exact same spot. So they've had themselves a spectacular year, and I want to wish them all well in the World Series." -- Maddon "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Hernandez is the first Dodgers player with a multi-homer postseason game since Adrian Gonzalez hit two in Game 5 of the 2013 NLCS. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Hernandez's slam was the fourth in Dodgers postseason history, and he joins Ron Cey, Dusty Baker and James Loney in doing so. Loney's also came at Wrigley Field, in 2008. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Bryant's homer in the fourth was his sixth career postseason blast, and he's tied with Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber for the most in Cubs franchise history. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259108988/dodgers-rout-cubs-win-nlcs-make-world-series/?game_pk=526508

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel who has a record of 14-5 with a 2.90 earn run average will get the start for Houston. Keuchel owns a stellar 1.78 ERA in his five postseason starts and went 1-1 in the Astros triumph over the Yankees while allowing four runs in 11 1/3 innings. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner is set to make his first World Series. He will oppose Los Angeles left-hander Clayton Kershaw who has a record of 18-4 with a 2.31 earn run average. Kershaw will start Game 1 on regular rest after helping his club wrap up the NLCS with six innings of one run ball vs. the Cubs on Thursday. Kershaw owns a 3.63 earn run average through 17 1/3 innings this postseason. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-dodgers/2017/10/24/526511#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526511

First pitch is set 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-dodgers/2017/10/24/526511#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526511