WORLD SERIES GAME 5 PREVIEW
Astros look to bounce back in key matchup
SportsMap Staff
Oct 29, 2017, 10:00 am
Dallas Keuchel will need to be terrific tonight. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The Astros and Dodgers play Game 5 of the World Series today. Here is a preview of the game. Check back during the game for inning by inning updates:
When: 7:20 p.m.
Where: Minute Maid Park.
TV: Fox Sports.
Streaming: Fox Sports Go.
Pitching matchup: Dallas Keuchel vs. Clayton Kershaw.
Series: Tied 2-2.
The breakdown: First pitch of Game 5 is scheduled for 7:20 PM from Minute Maid Park. The pitching matchup will be a rematch of Game 1 which put Dallas Keuchel for the Astros against Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers. Kershaw won the battle in Game 1, going seven innings of three-hit, one run baseball in the Dodgers' win while Keuchel allowed three runs over six and two-thirds. Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in baseball, period, but Keuchel is historically dominant at home. The Astros will look to regain the series lead with a win in the last home game and head to Los Angeles in need of one more to win the series..
Series schedule
Time/Date Site/Result Pitchers
Game 1 Tuesday Dodgers 3, Astros 1 Kershaw (W), Keuchel (L)
Game 2 Wed. Astros 7, Dodgers 6 Devenski (W), McCarthy (L)
Game 3 Today Astros 5, Dodgers 3 McCullers (W) Darvish (L)
Game 4 Sat. Dodgers 6, Astros 2 Watson (W), Giles (L)
Game 5 Today Minute Maid Park Keuchel vs. Kershaw
Game 6* Oct. 31 , 7:20 p.m. Dodger Stadium Verlander vs. TBA
Game 7 * Nov. 1, , 7:20 p.m. Dodger Stadiun TBA
*-if necessary.
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The Houston Texans have a big challenge in store as they look to start the season with a win against the Colts this Sunday. When these two teams met in Week 2 last year, the Colts dominated the Texans, despite losing their QB Anthony Richardson to a concussion after the first quarter.
Keeping Richardson contained on Sunday will go a long way in increasing the Texans' chances of coming home with a win. The Texans defense will have their hands full containing the Colts backs and tight ends in the passing game.
Scoring touchdowns with their wide receivers could prove difficult, as the Texans allowed the second-fewest TDs (10) to the receiver position in 2023.
Limiting running back Jonathan Taylor will also be a top priority. While the Texans had an elite defense against the run last season, they struggled with Taylor in Week 18 as he almost rushed for 200 yards.
Houston's D allowed only four carries to running backs in 2023 that went for 20 or more yards. Two of which were to Taylor in the final game of the regular season.
Finally, DeMeco Ryans and company have to find a way to get pressure on the QB. They only had one QB hit and zero sacks on Richardson and Garner Minshew the first time they faced off last year.
On offense, the Texans have two big x-factors to watch for on Sunday. The offensive line that suited up to play the Colts in Week 2 last season is completely different from this year.
The o-line was ravaged with injuries to start the 2023 campaign, so we expect a big jump in productivity in the trenches this year.
Another big addition in 2024 is the presence of running back Joe Mixon. The running game only produced 2 yards per rush in Week 2 against Indy last year, so there's clearly room for improvement.
Be sure to watch the video above for our in-depth preview of Texans-Colts!
And catch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) live on our SportsMapTexans YouTube channel following every game this season!