Houston Astros - SIC score 88.7
The biggest absence for the Astros is veteran outfielder Michael Brantley. He is out for the season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in mid-August. Houston acquired Trey Mancini to help account for that loss but Mancini’s production has dipped since joining the Astros. He hit .171 with 8 home runs and 22 RBIs in 51 games with the Astros.
Left fielder Yordan Alvarez has been dealing with power-sapping soreness stemming from what the Pro Baseball Docs believe was a midseason hook of hamate injury.
Alvarez had just 1 home run with a .312 slugging percentage in August but bounced back with 6 home runs in September and October while hitting .355.
Lance McCullers Jr. missed most of the season with a flexor tendon strain and Justin Verlander missed a few weeks with a calf strain but has been exceptional in his return from TJ surgery.
The young righty took a champagne bottle to the elbow during the celebration from winning the ALDS but is fine for the World Series.
The severity of Lance McCullers Jr's injury after getting hit by the champagne bottle can't be said enough. He was hit right by his TJ scar. The good news was there was no structural damage, but it definitely was painful. Here is how it looked a few days after.
McCullers finished with a 2.27 ERA in 8 starts during the regular season, while Verlander had an Al-leading 18 wins and a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts.
Houston Astros World Series Odds
The Astros are -195 to win the World Series. They went 106-56 during the regular season and entered as the No. 1 seed.
Bryce Harper is +480 to win World Series MVP, followed by Yordan Alavarez at +650 and Justin Verlander at +1000.
