To determine the projected outcome of two teams on a neutral field subtract the difference in ratings. So if team A has a rating of 80 and team B has a rating of 75 team A would be projected to win by 5 runs. Add .15 runs for home field advantage.
Philadelphia (NL East)
Record- 96-77
Rating- 5.1
Eye Test Rank- 8 out of 30
Strength of Schedule- 15 out of 30
Record vs Houston- 1-2
Houston (AL West)
Record- 113-56
Rating- 5.76
Eye Test Rank- 2 out of 30
Strength of Schedule- 28 out of 30
Record vs Philadelphia- 2-1
Why Philadelphia will win- the Phillies offense has been unstoppable this postseason led by Bryce Harper who has 11 extra base hits as well as 5 home runs including the go-ahead 2 run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning in Game 5 of the NLCS. Collectively they have homered 16 times to go along with 23 doubles and 31 walks. They enter the series once again as the underdogs, a role they have thrived in all postseason long knocking off St. Louis, Atlanta, and San Diego.
Why Houston will win- the Astros pitching staff has been nothing short of lights out allowing just 15 earned runs in 72 innings. The Astros will have the game’s most dominant pitcher the past decade in Justin Verlander starting Game 1. After a poor start in the ALDS opener Verlander got his mojo back with an 11 K, 1 run outing against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS. Manager Dusty Baker is making his third World Series appearance and will have the edge in experience over his rookie counterpart Rob Thomson.