Los Angeles Looks To Bounce Back In Game 4 Of The World Series As They Take On Houston

Los Angeles will not only look to bounce back from their game four loss to Houston where Yu Darvish got rocked but they will also look to stop Houston's momentum at Minute Maid Park.

After a night in which the Astros barreled a bunch of baseballs against Yu Darvish and seized the lead in this World Series with a 5-3 victory in Game 3 on Friday, it's quite clear that Houston's Minute Maid Park perfection is a very real factor in this Fall Classic. And if the Astros can continue their home heroics in tonight's Game 4 (7:30 ET air time on FOX, 8 ET game time), they'll put themselves on the cusp of their organization's first World Series title. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

Charlie Morton gets the Game 4 assignment for an Astros team that is now 7-0 at home this October. Houston is just the eighth team to win at least seven home games in a postseason. The previous seven (most recently the 2015 Royals) all won the World Series. The only other team in history to begin a postseason 7-0 at home or enhttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514d one 7-0 or better at home was the 2008 World Series champion Phillies. "according to

So Game 4 of the World Series presented by YouTube TV puts the pressure squarely on the Dodgers, who send Alex Wood to the hill to try to stop the Astros' bats in their ornamental train tracks. The vibe created by Houston's closed roof and rocking crowd is an advantage unto itself. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

"You know," said Morton, "it gets loud. It gets real loud. For me, that's awesome, because it feels like the whole city is behind me. It kind of envelops you into that moment. And in a lot of ways, you can get lost in a good way. You can kind of let some things go and just compete. So it allows you to be emotional in a good way." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

Emotional edges can't be calculated, but run differentials can. The Astros are outscoring their opponents 36-10 in this building during the postseason. Opposing starters are 0-6 with a 7.43 ERA. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

It's up to Wood to halt that trend. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

"Obviously, this crowd is into it, very educated, very enthusiastic," Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said. "They've got some confidence over there, that team. And it's up to us, up to Alex to go out there and set the tone, get a quick first inning. Bats have to come alive, keep getting guys on base, getting that big hit. But honestly, I don't think we see it as pressure, just go out and play a good clean game." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

The Dodgers won't be rolling Clayton Kershaw out on short rest, so Wood will make just his second appearance since Sept. 26 -- a span of 32 days. In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, he gave up three runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings to take the Dodgers' lone loss in that series. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

"It has its pluses and minuses," Wood said of his ample time off. "Something to where physically it helps me feel a lot more ready, because you have so much time off, but at the same time, trying to stay sharp and stay on top of your game. We've tried to do our best with bullpens and live [sessions] and throwing flat grounds trying to stay mentally locked in. ... Really at this point it's more about kind of mental fortitude than anything." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

Mental fortitude has been a strength of the Dodgers this season, and they'll need it to avoid being put on the ropes in Game 4. They'll need effectiveness and efficiency from Wood, because Darvish's 1 2/3-inning outing compromised the bullpen. Kenta Maeda threw 42 pitches in Game 3, so he's unavailable for Game 4, and setup man Brandon Morrow, who hasn't pitched four times in five days at all in 2017, pitched for the third time in four days. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

On the Astros' side, Brad Peacock will likely be unavailable after covering the final 11 outs of Game 3, and that will add to manager A.J. Hinch's nightly challenge of locking down late leads with a bullpen that hasn't been as consistent in the postseason as it was in the regular season. Still, a 2-1 lead builds confidence. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

"It's about getting 27 outs," Hinch said. "I love our bullpen, and our bullpen is going to get outs, but this is a race to 27 outs with a lead." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

A little historical perspective going into Game 4: Since the World Series moved permanently to the current 2-3-2 format in 1946, teams taking Game 3 at home for a 2-1 lead have won 11 of 16 times and eight of the past nine. However, the exception was the most recent example, with the Red Sox rallying past the Cardinals in 2013. The '16 Cubs and '14 Giants also came back from 2-1 deficits after dropping Game 3, but they were at home for that game. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

Home has been very good to the Astros in this postseason. If they can keep that good thing going tonight, not even the roof will be able to contain the roar. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171027259904660/la-looks-to-halt-astros-home-dominance-in-g4/?game_pk=526514

As for Los Angeles and Houston's last game, Houston took a 2-1 lead in the World Series after knocking out Los Angeles starter Yu Darvish early.

Another dynamic pitching performance was the story for the Astros on Friday night, with starter Lance McCullers Jr. and reliever Brad Peacock combining to slam the door on the Dodgers while keeping their team unbeaten at home in the postseason. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

The Astros, buoyed by a loud orange-clad crowd at enclosed Minute Maid Park, made an early outburst against Dodgers starter Yu Darvish stand up while McCullers and Peacock combined to throw a four-hitter in Houston's 5-3 win in Game 3 of the World Series. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

All the fans have been outstanding during the postseason," Peacock said. "And to tell you the truth, when I was out there a couple of times, I got the chills from them screaming so loud. That was an unbelievable feeling. They got me going, and I'm just glad I was able to get it done, for sure." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

The Astros took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Fall Classic by becoming the eighth team in history to win at least seven home games in a postseason (7-0). The previous seven clubs won the World Series, and the Astros can become No. 8 if they win Games 4 and 5 at Minute Maid Park on Saturday and Sunday. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Since the World Series moved permanently to the current 2-3-2 format in 1946, teams taking Game 3 at home for a 2-1 lead have won 11 of 16 times, and eight of the past nine. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"You saw the Indians last year get a 3-1 lead and then it didn't happen for them. We don't want to get carried away," Astros shortstop Carlos Correa said. "We want to stay confident and focused at the same time and try to go out there and win these last two games [in Houston]." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Darvish, who had allowed just two runs in 11 1/3 innings in two previous postseason starts, and had been 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA in six career starts at Minute Maid Park, gave up four runs and six hits while inducing just one swing and miss in the 49 pitches he threw. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"The fastball command wasn't there, and the slider was backing up," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Darvish, who was 4-0 with a 0.88 ERA in his five previous starts. "So he just really didn't have the feel and couldn't get any type of rhythm going." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

McCullers, who threw four scoreless innings in relief of Charlie Morton in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series a week ago, allowed three runs, four walks and four hits in 5 1/3 innings before turning the ball over to Peacock, who slammed the door on Los Angeles by throwing 3 2/3 hitless innings for the first save of his career."according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"I think it's just guys going out of the strike zone," Roberts said of his offense, which was 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. "You look at the opportunities that we did have, and pitchers seemed to go to their secondaries. When we are at our best, or any offense is at their best, they stay disciplined in the strike zone, and right now we're chasing a little bit more than we usually do." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

The Dodgers conceded they played a sloppy game, committing two errors and having Yasiel Puig thrown out at second when he decided late to try for the extra base after running through first on a grounder down the third-base line. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"We didn't play a very good game at all," said shortstop Corey Seager. "We threw some balls away, kicked some balls around to let them advance. They scored on some. We can't let that happen. We'll figure it out. We'll get ready. And we'll get back to playing good ball." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Peacock delivered the longest relief outing in a World Series game since San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner threw five innings in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series. The 3 2/3 innings tied for the second-longest relief outing without allowing a hit to finish a Fall Classic game since Ted Wilks of the Cardinals in 1964. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"This postseason, I've really enjoyed bringing back the three-inning save," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "That's cool." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Houston chased Darvish after 1 2/3 innings -- the shortest start of his career. Yuli Gurriel got the scoring started with a line-drive homer into the Crawford Boxes in the second, an inning in which the Astros batted around. Josh Reddick doubled and scored on a Marwin Gonzalez single, Evan Gattis walked and scored on a Brian McCann single, and Gonzalez scored on an Alex Bregman sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Leading 4-1 in the sixth, McCullers issued a leadoff walk to Seager and a double by Justin Turner, and the right-hander was pulled after striking out Cody Bellinger. Both runners ended up scoring -- on an RBI groundout by Puig and a wild pitch -- to cut Houston's lead to 5-3, but Peacock took it from there. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

McCullers delivered an emphatic fist pump after escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third by allowing one run. The righty's control briefly betrayed him as he walked three, but he got Seager to hit into a 3-6-1 double play -- scoring Joc Pederson -- before getting the dangerous Turner to ground out to end the inning. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"I didn't have much tonight from the get-go," McCullers said. "I was not really able to locate pretty much anything. So in the third inning, just wasn't making my pitches. After a big four-run inning from the guys, you don't want to change your approach for the team, because that's the easiest way to get in trouble." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Darvish pitched around a leadoff double by George Springer in the first inning, but Gurriel crushed the fourth pitch of the second and roped it into the Crawford Boxes for a homer. That began a string of five Astros in a row to reach base. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"Four runs in any game is big," Hinch said. "Four runs in the World Series is huge. To get that kind of momentum started, get the crowd into it, have a lead, puts a ton of pressure on the other dugout. Obviously, the quality of our at-bats tonight were incredible. That's more of our identity. That's what we're about. And to see it carry over from the last game to this game was welcome." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

Gurriel added a double in the seventh inning -- his eighth extra-base hit of the postseason -- but his night was tarnished when he was seen making an inappropriate gesture in reference to Darvish. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"He was absolutely lights-out today. It was really special to watch, playing behind him. He was throwing straight fastballs over there, and he was blowing guys away with just one pitch. It was very impressive to watch." -- Correa, on Peacock "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

"They've got some confidence over there, that team." -- Roberts, on the Astros "according tohttp://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

The Dodgers trailed in the World Series, 2-1, in 1955, '65 and '81 and rallied to win. The other seven times they trailed, 2-1, they lost the Series. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259907552/astros-take-world-series-lead-over-dodgers/

With the win Houston takes a 2-1 lead in the World Series. Los Angeles and Houston will play game four at Minute Maid Park in Houston Saturday. Left-hander Alex Wood who has a record of 16-3 with a 2.72 earn run average will get the start for Los Angeles. Wood took the loss in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Cubs, his only other previous start this postseason, allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He won his only prior start against the Astros tossing seven scoreless on June 25, 2014. He will oppose Houston right -hander Charlie Morton who has a record of 14-7 with a 3.62 earn run average.  Morton rebounded from a tough luck loss in the ALCS Game 3 to help propel Houston to a Game 7 victory with five stellar innings to open the contest. The veteran righty permitted two hits and struckout five to earn his first career postseason win. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-astros/2017/10/28/526514#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526514

First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-astros/2017/10/28/526514#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526514