The set-up: The Astros came out for the 8th inning of Game 2 down 3-1 and on the verge of falling into an 0-2 'hole' in the 2017 World Series. However, the Houston bats finally 'came alive' and LA's un-hittable bullpen finally proved itself human. The Astros scored six runs over the final four innings of Game 2 to win 7-6 (11 innings) and last night back in Houston, KO'd Yu Darvish with a four-run the second inning (the shortest start of his career), leading to a 5-3 Game 3 victory. All of a sudden, the Astros are two wins away from winning the first World Series title in franchise history. Just as suddenly, the Dodgers' 104-win season is on the verge of becoming irrelevant. Houston's bats finally began hitting the late innings of Game 2 and followed with five runs on 12 hits in Game 3. LA's bullpen has suddenly become vulnerable and may more importantly, has been "stretched to its limits," with manager Dave Roberts using eight relievers over seven innings of Game 2 and five relievers in Game 3, for 6 1/3 innings.

The pitching matchup: Alex Wood (0-1 & 5.79 ERA) is making just his second postseaon start of 2017 and will be opposed by Charlie Morton (1-1 & 6.23), who came up big for the Astros (5 IP / 0 Runs) in Houston's Game 7-clincher in the ALCS. Wood's only previous playoff start of 2017 was Game 4 in the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs. He allowed three runs (all on solo homers) and four hits while striking out seven over 4 2/3 innings of a game LA lost 3-2. Morton is in his 10th big-league season, but authored a "career year," going 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA, The Astros were 16-9 in all his starts (plus-$408). However, Morton hasn't pitched more than five innings in any of his three postseason starts and now gets to make his first World Series start. "It's an honor," Morton said at his Friday press conference. "Most people don't get a chance to play in the postseason, let alone in a Championship Series or the World Series. I'm going to try to enjoy it, but at the same time I've got a job to do."

The pick: Is Morton ready for the challenge? I wouldn't bet on it plus manager A.J. Hinch can't possibly have much faith in his bullpen. He used Peacock (primarily a starter) for an eight-out save last night, which means 'the usual suspects" will be expected to come in when Morton is pulled by the fifth inning or so. Sure, Wood is making just his second starts in 31 days but he paced the majors in winning percentage (.842) after finishing 16-3 with a career-best 2.72 ERA in 27 appearances (25 starts). His 3.3 WAR represented the second-best mark of his career, trailing the 3.7 WAR he produced with the Atlanta Braves while finishing 11-11 with a 2.78 ERA in 2014. Houston struggled against LA's two-left-handed starters, as Kershaw and Hill (before he was lifted too soon), kept the Astros in check, allowing just two runs (both on solo HRs) over 11 innings. With another lefty starter here, make the Dodgers a 10*