Kyle Peterson demonstrates how Charlie Morton, Braves pitcher, has evolved into one of the most respected starters in baseball. (1:22).
The 2021 World Series has begun: The American League champion Houston Astros will face the National League champion Atlanta Braves in their third Fall Classic appearance since 2005. They just won their first pennant, which they have achieved since 1999.
Which player will win it all? How many games is it going to take? Who will be the MVP? What player's breakthrough performance will be the talk of baseball and make him the MVP? What is the one thing that will make the difference in winning a ring and going home empty-handed?
These were the questions we asked our MLB experts. Here are their answers.
Everything you need to know about Astros-Braves
Houston Astros (12 votes) vs. Atlanta Braves (3 votes)
How many games? Astros in 6 (6 votes); Astros in 7 (5 votes); Braves in 7 (2 votes); Astros in 5 and Braves in 6 (1 vote each)
MVP: Carlos Correa (4 votes); Yordan Alvarez (3 votes); Jose Altuve, Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker (2 votes each); Ozzie Albies and Luis Garcia (1 vote each)
Breakout star: Kyle Tucker (3 Votes); Ozzie Albies, Luis Garcia (2 Votes each); Adam Duvall; Kendall Graveman; Cristian Javier; Tyler Matzek. Austin Riley. Dansby Swanson. Framber Valdez (1 Vote each).
Tristan Cockcroft: Astros in 7
MVP: Jose Altuve
The breakthrough player who becomes a household-name: I don’t believe anyone qualifies for the title of "breakout," as most of the top players will be well-known names. However, I think Luis Garcia should continue his great run. Since he isn't a household name, let's just say he.
One thing will determine the series: I believe home-field advantage in this year's Series will be important. You'd expect the Braves to be the obvious choice for a third consecutive upset after their incredible run. But I believe the Astros' home field advantage is significant and could make the difference.
Bradford Doolittle: Astros in 7
MVP: Yordan Alvarez
Ozzie Albies is the breakout player and a household name.
The only thing that will decide this series is slugging against tired pitching. Both teams will have tired staffs. Because they still have three good starting pitchers, the Braves may have an advantage. The Atlanta relievers might be unable to keep up, but the Astros' offense is among the most balanced, deepest, and best in the majors.
Doug Glanville: Astros in 6
MVP: Carlos Correa
Kyle Tucker is the breakout player and a household name.
Only one thing will determine the series: Late-inning heroics. Clutch and timely hitting. Two-out performances. It's been a tradition for the Astros all year. Dusty Baker is focused on the final few innings.
Alden Gonzalez: Braves in 7
MVP: Freddie Freeman
Tyler Matzek is the breakout player and a household name.
One thing will determine the series: The Braves rotation trio of Max Fried (Ian Anderson), Charlie Morton and Charlie Morton.
Tim Keown: Astros in 7
MVP: Kyle Tucker
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Kendall Graveman is the breakout player and a household name
The series' deciding factor is the umpiring. This postseason feels like a long preparation for a big reckoning, from the Wilmer Flores check swing at the NLDS to Laz Diz's missed third strike during the ALCS. Technology is more important than incompetence. Split-second calls can be dissected in super slow motion and the strike zone is visible for all to see. It is almost inevitable that at least one game will feature a call or a non-call.
Tim Kurkjian: Astros in 7
MVP: Jose Altuve
Austin Riley is the breakout player and a household name. He will be in the top four to five of the NL MVP voting. He is a third baseman with tremendous power and is well above the average.
The only thing that will determine the series is the wisdom of the Astros, led Dusty Baker and Brent Strom, pitching coach. They will find a way to defeat a very good Braves team.
Joon Lee: Braves at 7
MVP: Ozzie Albies
Ronald Acuna Jr. is the breakout player and becomes a household name. However, the Braves are most famous for their young stars. The World Series will be Ozzie Albies' time to shine. Albies is currently fourth in fWAR among second basemen, behind only Javier Baez, Jose Altuve and Whit Merrifield, since his 2017 major league debut. Albies, along with third baseman Austin Riley and Freddie Freeman, is part of Atlanta's offensive attack, which will be a formidable challenge to the Houston pitching staff.
The series will be decided by Atlanta's pitching staff. Atlanta boasts a formidable pitching team, with an even higher chance of success, than Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson. The group must be able to stop the Houston offensive attack. This proved too difficult for Boston in the ALCS.
Matt Marrone: Astros in 6
MVP: Carlos Correa
Kyle Tucker is the breakout player and a household name.
The only thing that will determine the series is pitching. The Astros will be able to figure out the Braves just like they did Boston. Atlanta's pitching staff will need to keep up with a Houston lineup that has a World Series-winning core. It wouldn't surprise that the Braves defeated the Dodgers. The Astros are too dangerous.
Kiley McDaniel: Astros in 7
MVP: Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker is the breakout player and a household name.
The Astros' lineup will be the decisive factor in this series.
play 1:46 Alvarez - Astros prove we are the best league team Yordan Alvarez talks about the Astros' advancement to the World Series, and the great performance they showed in beating the Red Sox.
Dan Mullen: Astros in 5
MVP: Yordan Alvarez
Framber Valdez is the breakout player and a household name
Only one thing will determine the series: Houston has Yordan Avarez, Atlanta doesn't.
Buster Olney: Braves at 6
MVP: Freddie Freeman
Adam Duvall is the breakout player and a household name.
The series will be decided by the Braves' depth, which is significantly better than last year. Also, the lefty reliefrs to fight Yordan Alvarez are important.
Jeff Passan: Astros in 6
MVP: Yordan Alvarez
Cristian Javier is the breakout player and a household name.
The Astros' lineup is the only thing that will determine the series. It's deep and dangerous and just as good as Atlanta's -- and it's great -- Houston's lineup is better.
Jesse Rogers: Astros in 6
MVP: Carlos Correa
Danzig Swanson is the breakout player and a household name. He's clutch, and will be for Braves.
The Brent Strom/Martin Maldonado combination is the only thing that will decide this series. The ALCS was won by the pitcher and the catcher, but they were more important than that. Houston's young pitchers are more confident than ever.
David Schoenfield: Astros in 6
MVP: Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia is the breakout player and a household name.
The series will be decided by the Astros' 45 runs with two outs. Expect more of the same.
Clinton Yates: Astros in 6
MVP: Carlos Correa
Joc Pederson is the breakout player and a household name.
Baserunning is the only thing that will determine the series. If they are to remain in the series against the powerful Astros offense, the Braves will need to be creative and aggressive on the basepaths. They've been this way all year, even in the playoffs.
