Rematch Of Game 1 Takes Place In Houston As Clayton Kershaw Takes On Dallas Keuchel In Game 5 Of The World Series

Does this pitching matchup look familiar?

Once again Clayton Kershaw and Dallas Keuchel will be opposing one another in the World Series as Los Angeles or Houston will look to take a 3-2 series lead in Game 5 at Minute Maid Park.

Will Clayton Kershaw be as dominate as he was in game one? Will Dallas Keuchel return to form after allowing six hits , three runs and two homers in game one at Dodger Stadium?

When the 6-2 win in Game 4 of the World Series was over Saturday night, the Dodgers shook hands. And then the guy with the beard, flowing hair and the blue hoodie jogged away from the crowd of teammates and had a moment alone on the mound. Clayton Kershaw stood there in his pre-pitch stance and peered at the plate and then at the basepaths before retreating with his team back to the winning clubhouse. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

While Game 4 of this World Series had just ended, Game 5 had unofficially begun. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

With the Dodgers and Astros knotted up at two wins apiece in the best-of-seven World Series presented by YouTube TV, it will be Kershaw vs. Dallas Keuchel in this significant swing game tonight at Minute Maid Park (8 p.m. ET on FOX). It's essentially a best-of-three Fall Classic at this point, and Kershaw ensured his readiness for the real thing with that brief acquaintance in fairly unfamiliar territory. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"Just checking it out," he said afterward. "I do that every time when it's a place I haven't pitched in a while." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

Kershaw has a handful of starts in this building (though none since 2015), but his familiarity with the field is obviously nowhere near that of Keuchel, whose career ERA at home (2.94) in 81 appearances is nearly 1.5 runs better than his ERA on the road (4.43) in 77 games. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

Baseball might be an increasingly bullpen-oriented game on the October stage, but this matchup of Cy Young Award winners (Keuchel in 2015, Kershaw in 2011, '13, '14) is certainly special given the stakes and, pointedly, given the Astros' struggles to get the final outs with the relievers they trusted so routinely during the regular season. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

For the first time all October, Houston is coming off a home loss, as the struggles of Ken Giles and Joe Musgrove in the ninth inning allowed their opponent to put up a five-spot in Game 4. The Dodgers swiped that win, and it remains to be seen if they've swiped the Astros' Minute Maid Park mojo along with it in advance of Houston's final home game. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

The Astros know they have a tough task ahead in their reunion with Kershaw, who limited them to one run on three hits with no walks and 11 strikeouts in Game 1, but you might not be surprised to hear they're up for the challenge. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"He's a veteran guy," said third baseman Alex Bregman, who homered off Kershaw in Game 1. "He attacks hitters, and we're going to have to be ready to go. He's tough. He's one of, if not the best in the game. But we've got one of the best in the game going too in Dallas Keuchel. So it's going to be just as fun of a game as Game 1. 'according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"We're ready. We're going to go up there, take the fight to him, go toe to toe and see who wins." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

The Kershaw-Keuchel rematch will also mark the first time since the 2010 World Series -- the Rangers' Cliff Lee and Giants' Tim Lincecum in Games 1 and 5 -- when former Cy Young Award winners faced off twice in the same Fall Classic. Lincecum got the win both times, helping the Giants clinch their first World Series in 56 years. Kershaw got the best of Keuchel in Game 1, and he'll certainly be adding to his Hall of Fame resume if he can do it again. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

The Dodgers are supremely confident that they're going to be able to ride their generational pitcher to the cusp of their first crown since 1988, and that confidence is understood given the "masterpiece," as teammate Brandon McCarthy called it, Kershaw pitched in Game 1. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

As for Kershaw himself, he'll hope to keep the ball in the ballpark, as all eight runs he has allowed this October have come via the long ball. But keeping the ball in Minute Maid Park, given the 315-foot distance down the left-field line to the Crawford Boxes, isn't always easy. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"It's just a matter of making good pitches to these guys," Kershaw said. "Most of the time, I would say it doesn't come into play that much. I feel the homers I give up are pretty legit. As long as you're making your pitches, you might hit one off the wall that you're not supposed to or something, but other than that, you can't really change." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

Keuchel, meanwhile, is hoping to change his results from Game 1, in which he was burned by two mistakes -- homers he allowed to Chris Taylor (who ambushed him on the first pitch of the game) and the go-ahead two run shot he surrendered to Justin Turner in the sixth. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"I just didn't feel like the finish on my pitches was right, and that happens," Keuchel said. "Through the course of the whole season, if you get 34 starts, I think a lot of the better pitchers would say you only feel at your best a handful of times. And the in-between those handful of times is where you really establish how good you are. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"Physically, I felt great. The only thing that bothered me was the sun, it was literally in my face in the bullpen. I had never been at Dodger Stadium for a 5 p.m. game before. Couldn't even see [catcher Brian] McCann or the plate warming up. It was kind of a feel warmup, and obviously when I got to the mound, that was when the fun started.""according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

The sun obviously won't be a factor indoors at Minute Maid Park, but the Astros will have plenty of fun if they can amp up the home crowd early. Leadoff man George Springer, who has more hard-hit balls than anybody in this Series with 11, per Statcast, is their offensive igniter, and they need to ride him. They also need to find somebody to step up and get the final outs if Keuchel can't go the distance and they're able to take a lead into the late innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

"It's Game 5 of the World Series coming up," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said, "so I think there won't be any need to press any buttons or let them know how big these outs are. But we've got to get to 27 outs, and we're going to keep trying to piece it together." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

Since 1946, when the current 2-3-2 World Series format became permanent, teams on the road for Game 5 in a 2-2 Series (and therefore with home-field advantage for Games 6-7) are 18-12 in that game (going on to win 18 of 30 Series). Ten of the past 12 road teams have won, going back to 1982 -- most recently the 2013 Red Sox and '11 Cardinals. The exceptions are the 2014 Royals (vs. the Giants) and '03 Yankees (vs. the Marlins). "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

That's good historical precedent for Kershaw, but he's happy to just rely on his own work. And shortly after Game 4 ended, he was there on that mound, getting ready to punch in."according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259965192/its-ace-vs-ace-in-pivotal-game-5-of-series/?game_pk=526515

As for Los Angeles and Houston's last game, Los Angeles tied the World Series up  at two with their win.

Young sluggers Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson, one slumping this Series and the other slumping this season, found redemption Saturday night, keying a late-innings barrage that gave the Dodgers a 6-2 comeback win over the Astros and deadlocked the best-of-seven World Series at two games each. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Bellinger, 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts in the first 3 1/2 games, laced a pair of doubles, the second one in a five-run ninth inning giving the Dodgers the lead. Pederson, a Minor Leaguer in parts of August and September and left off the National League Division Series roster, tomahawked a high Joe Musgrove fastball for a three-run homer to blow open a game that began as a pitchers' duel between Los Angeles' Alex Wood, who had a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings, and Houston's Charlie Morton, who didn't allow a run until Bellinger's first double in the seventh inning. Wood's was the longest no-hit bid in Dodgers postseason history, and L.A.'s staff allowed only two hits, both homers. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

The Dodgers can take control of the Series in Game 5 on Sunday, when they will send ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound with a chance to take a 3-2 Series lead heading into Game 6 on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The Astros will counter with fellow lefty Dallas Keuchel in a pivotal matchup. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"I can't wait," Houston third baseman Alex Bregman said. "I know everyone in here wishes the game was right now. We want to go back out there and play and -- I don't know if redeem ourselves is the right word -- but we want to go back out there and play right now. This is the World Series. This is going to be a dogfight." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Ken Giles, who has allowed a run in six of seven postseason outings this year, started the ninth inning of a tied game and allowed a single to Corey Seager and a walk to Justin Turner before Bellinger put the Dodgers ahead with the RBI double -- marking the first time the Astros had trailed at home in the postseason in 71 innings. It also was Houston's first loss in eight games at Minute Maid Park this postseason. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"They play real well here," said Pederson. "To show we can come in here and play our baseball is important to all of us in here, and it will be a big game tomorrow." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Pederson's long homer to right off Musgrove four batters later pushed the lead to 6-1. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"The Pederson pitch is right where I wanted it -- fastball up out of the zone," said Musgrove. "He just beat me to it. That's baseball. You get away with plenty of fastballs down the middle that guys foul off. You throw one up out of the zone where you want, and they beat you. I'd be more upset if I threw it down the middle, and he hit it out." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

The only two hits the Astros managed were homers -- by George Springer in the sixth and Bregman in the ninth. Pederson, who spent time in the Minor Leagues fighting out of an offensive slump, was serving as designated hitter for the second consecutive game. He pretty much went crazy rounding the bases. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"I was just trying to do my best Big Papi impression," he joked, referring to former Red Sox great David Ortiz. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Teams that have won Game 4 to tie any World Series have gone on to win the Series 24 of 44 times, including three of the past four in that scenario (2014 Giants, '13 Red Sox, '03 Marlins). "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"They're two pretty good teams," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "I don't think that's overstating anything, so it probably doesn't surprise a ton of people that's it 2-2. How the games have gone, where we've won or where they've won can always be debated. These are big games. Every game feels like a Game 5 or a Game 6." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Wood, lacking command pitching for only the second time in 32 days but making big pitches, held the Astros without a hit through 5 2/3 innings. But with Brandon Morrow warming up in the bullpen, manager Dave Roberts let Wood face Springer for the third time in the game and he blasted a homer to left to give Houston a 1-0 lead and ignite the crowd. Springer became the first player to break up a World Series no-hit bid with a homer in the sixth inning or later. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"Woody set the tone for us and was just outstanding tonight," said Roberts. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Morton gave up a leadoff single to Chris Taylor, who was thrown out trying to steal to end the first, and then retired the next 14 batters he faced, pumping the ball down down in the zone consistently. He was pulled after giving up a one-out double in the seventh to Bellinger, who scored the tying run on a Logan Forsythe single off Will Harris. Forsythe is erasing a tough regular season by going 8-for-26 in the postseason with four RBIs and eight runs scored. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"When we had two guys on against Giles in the ninth, I felt we had a chance," said Forsythe, reflecting the Dodgers' pre-Series notion that if they keep games close early, they have an edge in the bullpen matchups. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Los Angeles' bullpen, despite the unavailability of Kenta Maeda and Yu Darvish's 1 2/3-inning start in Game 3, retired nine consecutive batters after Springer's home run, with Morrow (who has pitched in all four games) retiring all four batters he faced and Tony Watson getting his three men. Kenley Jansen, presented the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award before the game, allowed a two-out homer to Bregman in the bottom of the ninth. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

He hit only .224 during the regular season, but Forsythe made his acquisition worthwhile by delivering a two-out RBI single to tie the score at 1 in the seventh inning, cashing in Bellinger's first double and answering the home run by Springer. Forsythe was playing against right-hander Morton in part because of Forsythe's defense at second base, and in greater part because left-handed-hitting platoon-mate Chase Utley is 0-for-14 in the postseason. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

The votes were long ago in for the NL Rookie of the Year Award, which Bellinger will probably win in a landslide, but nothing he did this season meant more than his go-ahead double in the ninth inning that chased Giles. Bellinger said an adjustment he made in batting practice paid off. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

"I hit every ball in BP today to the left side of the infield," Bellinger said. "I've never done that before in my life. Usually I try to lift. I needed to make an adjustment and saw some results today. I'm pulling off everything. Usually in BP I just try to lift, have fun in BP. But today I tried to make an adjustment. I needed to make an adjustment, and so I decided I'm hitting every ball to left field today. I had two balls to left field today in the game and I saw some results, so let's see." "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

I just need one break and I feelhttp://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/ it's going to come tomorrow. I'm going to get back on track." -- Giles "according to

"It's a beautiful game: I can come out the next day and help the team to win after a bad day like that." -- Bellinger, who struck out four times in Game 3 "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Game 4 was the first game in World Series history that both starting pitchers allowed four or fewer baserunners. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

The combined 15 homers hit in this year's World Series, including eight in Game 2, breaks the previous record of 14 homers through four games (2002 Giants vs. Angels). "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

The Astros unsuccessfully challenged a call in the first inning, claiming a pitch thrown by Wood clipped Springer's shoe and should have resulted in a hit-by-pitch. The replay was inconclusive and the call would stand. "according to http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw who has a record of 18-4 with a 2.31 earn run average will be on the mound for Los Angeles. Kershaw was incredibly efficient in a Game 1 World Series win , needing just 83 pitches to rack up 11 strikeouts in seven innings of one run ball. The lefty is 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA in four starts this postseason with 27 K's 24 1/3 frames. He will oppose left-hander Dallas Keuchel of Houston. He has a record of 14-5 with a 2.90 earn run average. Keuchel six hits, three runs, including two homers , over 6 2/3 innings in a Game 1 loss to the Dodgers. Keuchel is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in four playoff starts overall in 2017. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-astros/2017/10/29/526515#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526515

First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-astros/2017/10/29/526515#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526515