World Series Shifts To Texas For Game 3 As Los Angeles Looks To Bounce Back In Houston

They've played two games in California to start the 2017 World Series with each team winning a game but now it's time for the series to shift to Texas as Los Angeles will be looking to redeem themselves  on the road in game three at Minute Maid Park after their game two loss in extra innings at Dodger Stadium Wednesday night.

We knew coming into this World Series that two 100-win teams opposing each other for the first time in 47 years made for special stuff. Turns out, the Astros and Dodgers are up to the task of ensuring the Series itself is as special as the statistical oddity. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

Now that the Astros have evened things up with an epic, exhausting and exhilarating Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, there can be no denying that this Fall Classic has true classic potential. So Game 3 at Minute Maid Park on Friday night (7:30 ET air time on FOX), with Lance McCullers Jr. and Yu Darvish set to start, will be a pivotal moment. Will Houston maintain the momentum obtained by the four home runs it hit over the ninth, 10th and 11th innings of its 7-6 victory on Wednesday night? Or will Los Angeles prove that its first loss of the entire season when leading after eight innings was an aberration, easy to assign to the rearview? "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

"The Houston Astros, the best team in the American League, we got to flat-out earn it," said Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who suffered a rare blown save in Game 2. "We'll go to their place and battle." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

The battle heads to Houston, where the Astros, fresh off their first World Series game victory in franchise history, are 6-0 this October. Housing all those Houstonians who have invested so much emotional energy into this ballclub in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Minute Maid Park will be loud and rocking, just as it was when the Astros returned home after a real Bronx bummer in the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

This time, the return home isn't about awakening the seemingly broken; it's about continuing the clout that saw the Astros infiltrate the Dodgers' previously impenetrable bullpen, which hadn't allowed a run in its previous 28 innings of work. Marwin Gonzalez, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer all went deep in the ninth inning or beyond in Game 2, a heroic home run derby that spared the Astros from having to hear all those daunting stats about how past teams have fared on this stage when down 0-2. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

"It's very important for us going to Houston 1-1," Altuve said. "There's nothing guaranteed out there, but we've got to go out there and make it happen." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

Since the World Series moved permanently to the current 2-3-2 format in 1946, there have been 34 series tied 1-1 after the first two games. The club going home for Games 3-5 has gone on to win 18 times (52.9 percent), and on four of those occasions, they closed it out in Game 5 -- most recently, the 2008 Phillies against the Rays. Three times during that span, a team has won Games 3-5 on the road to end the Fall Classic -- most recently, the 1983 Orioles at Philadelphia. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

Right now, it's the Dodgers facing the challenge of getting their groove back after such a difficult defeat, in which they had the potential tying run at the plate in the 11th. Whether they have to strongly rely on their bullpen again in Game 3 will be a matter for Darvish to decide. The impact acquisition, acquired mere moments before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31, has been fantastic this postseason, with a 2-0 record and a 1.59 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. As a former member of the Rangers, he's of course pitched many games in the state of Texas -- and many times against this Astros team -- but never have the stakes been higher than they are now. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

Los Angeles might benefit from Thursday's off-day to rest its bullpen and mentally regroup from a difficult Game 2. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

"We've got a very resilient group," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "a lot of guys that have been around a long time. We'll be ready to go." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

The Astros will be hoping that McCullers can build off the relief brilliance he displayed in the Game 7 ALCS clincher against the Yanks. McCullers went on a curveball feast in that fantastic four-inning save, allowing just a hit and a walk with six strikeouts. He'll look to maintain that emotional intensity in his regular role. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

"The home start, coming home, and having Lance McCullers go," said Houston manager A.J. Hinch, "there is going to be a ton of energy in the building." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171026259671716/dodgers-astros-take-epic-knotted-series-to-houston/?game_pk=526513

As for Los Angeles and Houston's last game, Houston evened up the series.

The bullpen is an important part of the game and when it doesn't perform well than likely the team will end up in the loss column and that's what happened Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium as Houston edged Los Angeles to even up the series.

The Astros found themselves with no shortage of heroic moments and performances in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night, pushing aside the pressure of October to deliver the biggest win in franchise history. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

There was Marwin Gonzalez, who hit a stunning game-tying homer in the ninth inning off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. There was George Springer, the struggling outfielder who delivered the biggest homer in Astros history in the 11th to break a tie. And there was reliever Chris Devenski, who struck out Yasiel Puig for the final out of one of the most epic games in World Series history. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

The Astros, three outs from a daunting deficit in the Fall Classic, pulled off two improbable rallies against Los Angeles' vaunted bullpen and shocked a Dodger Stadium crowd with a 7-6, 11-inning victory to even the Series at one game apiece. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

The back-and-forth thriller featured eight homers, which is the most in a World Series game, including five extra-inning home runs, which is the most in any contest in MLB history, regular season or postseason. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"That's an incredible game on so many levels, so many ranges of emotion," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "If you like October baseball, if you like any kind of baseball, that's one of the most incredible games you'll ever be a part of." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

When Devenski got Puig to swing through a 3-2 changeup for the final out, Houston breathed a huge sigh of relief and earned the first World Series victory in club history. After a travel day on Thursday, the World Series presented by YouTube TV resumes with Game 3 on Friday night at Minute Maid Park, where the Astros are undefeated (6-0) this postseason. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"I mean, honestly, it was an exciting baseball game," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "It's two teams that competed for 27 outs. And, yeah, it was an emotional roller coaster. There were some big plays defensively, some big pitches made, obviously some big hits and big homers. And the focus was there. Guys were playing hard on both sides. And unfortunately we came up short." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"Up, down, up, down, up," Springer said of his emotions. "Those guys over there fought back in the 10th. They hit some big homers early. Our team was able to stay resilient and come out with this one." "according tohttp://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Gonzalez led off the top of the ninth with a tying home run off Jansen, one of the premier closers in the game. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa led off the 10th with homers off former teammate Josh Fields, putting Houston ahead, 5-3, to become the first pair to hit World Series extra-inning back-to-back blasts. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"Like I've told you before, we're never out of it," said Correa, who flipped his bat high into the air on his no-doubt homer. "We have a lineup that is really scary. When we swing at strikes and put great at-bats together, we are very scary. You saw it tonight. We were able to score runs off the bullpen and we were able to come up with the win." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

The Dodgers prolonged the game in the bottom of the 10th after the back-to-back homers. Puig homered to lead off against Astros closer Ken Giles. After Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes struck out, Logan Forsythe walked, took second on a wild pitch and was singled home by National League Championship Series hero Enrique Hernandez, with Forsythe barely beating Josh Reddick's throw to tie it at 5 while Hernandez took second. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"Everybody picked each other up," Giles said. "Guys swung it really well late in the game and got some big hits, and for my part, I need to do a better job." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Springer hit a two-run shot in the 11th off Brandon McCarthy, who wasn't on Los Angeles' roster for the other two postseason series and was its eighth reliever used in the game. "according tohttp://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"I have to tell you, this is one of the craziest games I've ever played," Altuve said. "I really thank God for the opportunity to be here. They took the lead, we tied the game. We took the lead, they tied the game. We took it again, they almost tied it again." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Charlie Culberson, inserted into Cody Bellinger's cleanup spot in a double-switch, homered with two outs in the bottom of the 11th to bring up Puig again, but Devenski struck him out. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"Today's game was the game that showed what the Astros are all about and it's one through nine," Houston third baseman Alex Bregman said. "It's an entire pitching staff coming through. It's gotta be the greatest game I've ever played in and probably everybody in here." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Gonzalez's homer in the ninth came on an 0-2 cutter, the first blown save for Jansen after successfully converting the first 12 of his postseason career, an MLB record. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"I wanted it up and in and it was down the middle," said Jansen. "Hit a line drive the other way, the ball was carrying tonight. Just one missed pitch, he got me, that's it." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

An inning earlier, the Astros cut the lead to 3-2 with a leadoff double by Bregman off Brandon Morrow and a one-out single up the middle by Correa off Jansen, snapping the Dodgers bullpen's scoreless-innings streak at 28. Houston took the first lead of the game in the third by parlaying three singles off starter Rich Hill, who was removed after four innings. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Los Angeles scored in the fifth inning on a two-out homer by Joc Pederson that ended the no-hitter off Houston starter Justin Verlander, Pederson's first homer since July 26. An inning later, Corey Seager followed a two-out walk to Chris Taylor with an opposite-field two-run home run on a 97-mph Verlander fastball to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Pederson got the surprise start in left field, having effectively replaced the slumping Curtis Granderson on the Series roster. Two months ago, Granderson was acquired from the Mets to replace Pederson, who was sent to Triple-A to work out of a slump. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

When the four-hour, 19-minute epic was finally over, Hinch was in no mood to be satisfied with the Astros' first World Series victory. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"I think the fourth one," he said, "that will be the one to bring home to the city." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

The Astros took the lead against Hill in the third inning when Bregman came up with runners on the corners and one out and lined a single to center field on the first pitch. But Houston caught a bad break (and Los Angeles a lucky one) when Taylor made a fruitless diving attempt and was saved when the ball ricocheted off his cap and bounced directly into the arms of Pederson in left. If the ball missed his cap, it likely would have become a 2-0 game with a man on third and one out, as opposed to 1-0 with men on first and second. Hill escaped the inning with no further damage. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Gonzalez breathed life into the Astros with his game-tying shot in the ninth. The homer was only the fifth game-tying homer on the road in the ninth inning or later in World Series history and first since Dwight Evans for the Red Sox in 1975. The Dodgers were 98-0 when leading after eight innings this season (including the playoffs) before Gonzalez's blast tied it and set up Altuve and Correa to be the heroes in the 10th and Springer in the 11th. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"It was just flat," Jansen said of his cutter to Gonzalez. "Can't do anything about it. Just get rest, looking forward to tomorrow. Their two best pitchers aren't pitching the next two. Just got to go out there and take advantage of that. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

I loved it." -- Puig, on Correa's sky-high bat flip "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

"I was still celebrating my homer when he hit his homer, so it was great." -- Altuve, on the back-to-back homers with Correa in the 10th "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

Seager (23 years, 182 days) is the youngest Dodgers player to homer in the World Series since Pete Reiser (22 years, 202 days) in 1941. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259674058/astros-rally-past-dodgers-to-even-world-series/

With the loss by Los Angeles Houston ties up the series at 1-1.

Los Angeles and Houston will play game three Friday as the World Series now heads to Minute Maid Park in Houston for games three, four and five.

Right -hander Yu Darvish will get the start for Los Angeles. He has a record of 10-12 with a 3.86 earn run average. Darvish has been the postseason sidekick to Clayton Kershaw the Dodgers envisioned when they acquired him, racking up 14 strikeouts and allowing only two runs in two starts this October. Game 3 marks Darvish's first World Series appearance. He will oppose Houston right -hander Lance McCullers Jr who has a record of 7-4 with a 4.25 earn run average. McCullers returns to the Astros rotation after firing seven scoreless innings of relief in Game 7 of the ALCS vs. the Yankees. The right -hander allowed one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in 10 innings throughout the ALCS. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-astros/2017/10/27/526513#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526513

First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-astros/2017/10/27/526513#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526513