Defence set to be on top as tension mounts

World Series Game Five
BT Sport 1, midnight

Houston's remarkable home record appeared to be holding firm in game four on Saturday night until a ninth-inning meltdown saw them slump to a 6-2 defeat that levelled the series.

The Astros had looked as if they were going to be playing for the series in front of their own fans on Sunday night, but instead the resurgent Dodgers are odds-on to take the lead with star pitcher Clayton Kershaw set to start game five.

Those odds look too short given Houston's impressive home run through the playoffs but a 24-hour turnaround plays into the Dodgers' hands as they look to press home the advantage after stunning their rivals to late in game four.

Kershaw is recognised as one of the finest pitchers in the game and should make the Astros' batting line-up work hard in what looks set to be a low-scoring contest.

The final-innings blowout in game four was all the more surprising in that it came after a sustained cagey spell, with the scores tied at 1-1.

The Dodgers had gone scoreless for nine consecutive innings - three in game two on Friday - while when the Astros struck a fifth-inning score on Saturday is was their first in eight innings.

With Kershaw on the mound for the visitors and the tension ramped up in front of a feverish Texas crowd, this could well be a grind.

Recommendation
Under 7.5 runs
2pts 4-6 Sky Bet

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