FOX Sports’ Smoltz Breaks Down 2021 World Series Pitching Matchup
Hall of Famer on Which Team has the Edge, Which Pitchers Could Dominate, and Which Ones Could Emerge as Breakout Stars
LOS ANGELES – FOX MLB analyst John Smoltz, a Hall of Famer and 1995 World Series champion who scored a Sports Emmy earlier this year, breaks down the pitching matchup for this year’s World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros, which opens tonight at 8:00 PM ET on FOX and FOX Deportes.
FOX Sports: Based on rotations, middle relief and closers (including health and where they are in their schedules), which team is better prepared to have an early pitching edge and why?
Smoltz: I think the pitching staffs are very similar, with the Braves having a slight edge overall in starting pitching and the Astros having a deeper bullpen, giving them a slight edge in relief. Going with the last three bullpen guys they use, given all considerations – I’d give Ryne Stanek, Kendall Graveman and Ryan Pressly a slight edge over the Braves’ Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek and Will Smith. The key for the Braves will be the innings they get out of their starters; however, the Astros’ top three young starters have proven to be very talented with the ability to bounce back from a poor outing.
FOX Sports: Select a pitcher from each squad who you think matches up very well against the opposing lineup and why?
Smoltz: The pitcher that matches up well on paper for each team is Luis Garcia for the Astros, with his ability to neutralize the right-handed batters and the power the Braves have from the right side with his cutters and curveballs.
For the Braves, I would say that Ian Anderson, with his unique changeup that he will throw at any time in the count is a terrific equalizer against this great Astros offense.
FOX Sports: Give me a below-the-radar pitcher from each team who has the opportunity to break out as a World Series hero?
Smoltz: I don’t know If he is below the radar, but Jose Urquidy for the Astros could be that guy that has a breakout performance because he has done it before, along with Cristian Javier to eat up some important innings.
For the Braves, it could be left-hander Drew Smyly. It will be interesting to see how the Braves use him. Maybe as a starter in Game 4 or out of the bullpen to eat up innings if a starter gets chased early.
–FOX SPORTS–
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