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Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves World Series Game 5 Betting Preview/Player Prop

31 October 2021

Game 5 of the World Series is set for Sunday night, and it could be the final baseball game of the season. The Atlanta Braves have built up a 3-1 series lead and can eliminate the Houston Astros with another win.

Houston lost home-field advantage in this series in Game 1, and they have been scrambling all series long. The Astros did pick up a 7-2 victory in Game 2, but they have been outplayed in the other three games.

Atlanta has now won two straight games, and they will come into Game 5 with plenty of momentum. The Braves have already eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers this season and can be an improbable World Series champion with a win.

The Houston Astros are the moneyline betting favorites at -115 for Game 5 of the World Series.

Houston Offense Has Disappeared

The Houston Astros were nearly no-hit on Friday night, and they weren’t a ton better in the Game 4 loss. Houston has managed to score just four total runs in the three games that they have lost in this series.

The Astros were able to wear out opposing pitchers all season long, but they have been blown away by the Braves pitching staff. Houston is going to need to strike early if they want to win this game.

Framber Valdez is scheduled to make this start, and he was hit hard in a Game 1 loss, allowing five earned runs in just two innings. Valdez must get the Astros off to a good start to take pressure off of the offense.

Bullpen Game For Braves

The Atlanta Braves are once again expected to go with a bullpen game on Sunday night as they just don’t have enough healthy starting pitchers. That strategy worked in Game 4, and the Braves do have a pitching staff that has been dominant.

Even though the Braves have won the first two games in Atlanta, they still haven’t been great on the offensive side of things. Atlanta has scored just five total runs in the two wins and will be looking for more offense on Sunday.

Jorge Soler hit the game-winning home run on Saturday night, and he has set the tone for this offense.

Astros Keep Season Alive

This five-year run by the Houston Astros has been nothing short of special, and they won’t be in a hurry to see it come to an end. Houston has really struggled at the plate since the series shifted to Atlanta, but the bats should break out in this game.

Atlanta has been one of the best teams in baseball since August, and they have rode that momentum into the World Series as well. The Braves still need to find more offense of their own, and that just won’t happen on Sunday night.

Atlanta will miss out on a great chance to close the series out in five games. Bet the Houston Astros -115 as they win Game 5 to keep their season alive.

Player Prop

Framber Valdez (-170) Under 4.5 Strikeouts

With the season on the line, Dusty Baker will turn to Valdez to take the mound tonight. But it could be a quick hook at the first sign of trouble.

In Game 1 of the World Series, Valdez lasted only two innings after giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while striking out only 2. It was his second quick exit of the postseason as he also lasted only 2 2/3 innings in Game 1 of the ALCS against Boston after giving up 6 hits and 3 runs while striking out only 2 again.

Overall, the 27-year-old lefthander has just 15 Ks in 17 innings of work this postseason.

We’ll expect Baker to follow the same pattern tonight and turn to the bullpen early with Valdez (-170) finishing under 4.5 strikeouts against the Braves

Keep up with your latest MLB news coverage at The Dunkel Index.

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