After a rough Game 1 of the World Series, Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez will look to bounce back on Sunday in Atlanta in a crucial Game 5.
Valdez has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his last seven road starts. He has a 2.70 road ERA between the regular season and postseason compared to a 4.40 home ERA, and has allowed 0.7 home runs per nine innings on the road versus 1.25 home runs per nine innings allowed at home.
The Braves will not be able to counter Valdez with Charlie Morton like they did in Game 1 and are likely to rely upon a wholesale approach to try to keep the majors’ top lineup in terms of runs per game at bay.
The Astros entered Saturday having scored at least five runs in 13 of 16 games in October. They were averaging 6.2 runs per game on the road this postseason and owned the league’s lowest strikeout per at-bat percentage.
With the Braves unable to send the veteran Morton to the mound coupled with Valdez’s road success this season, the Astros will go back to Minute Maid Park after a Game 5 victory.
The play: Astros, moneyline.