By Tyler Norris
With the 2021 MLB season coming to a close, it’s that time of the year when the two top teams compete for baseball immortality. The 117th annual World Series kicked off on Oct. 27, 2021. This year’s fall classic features the American League champion Houston Astros, and their surprising opposition, the National League champion, Atlanta Braves. The Houston Astros powered their way through American League playoffs, closing out the Chicago White Sox in four games, and fended off the surging scare that was the Boston Red Sox and captured the American League pennant in six games.
Led by a scorching hot bat at the plate in Yordan Alvarez who hit just over .500 in the ALCS, the Houston Astros could prove to be a handful for the Atlanta Braves. “The Astros have been great at the plate all postseason, the story of the series is going to be whether or not the Braves’ pitching will be able to contain our offense” said Jace Mapston, lifelong Astros fan.
On the National League side of the bracket, the Atlanta Braves had a much taller, and demanding task to punch their ticket to the World Series. The Braves landed themselves in an opening round matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers, who were able to skate past in just four games. However, the Braves then were challenged with the task of taking down the heavily favored, and reigning World Series champion super team that was the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Braves were phenomenal early on while jumping out to a 2-0 series lead over the Dodgers before the Dodgers were able to push back the onslaught and force a Game 6 where they were facing elimination. The Braves ultimately emerged victorious, led by outfielder Eddie Rosario, who put the offense on his back carrying the Braves with a total of nine RBI and three home runs in the six-game series. “Eddie has been such an x-factor for our offense, and with our pitching being able to shut down quite possibly the best baseball team ever assembled, I am very confident in not only our offense, but our pitching to continue to dominate the opposition,” said Blake Maddock, Braves superfan.
The Braves, in their first World Series appearance since 1999, are looking to turn over a new leaf and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with for years to come. While the Astros on the other hand, with their third World Series appearance in the last five years, are hoping to continue their dominance and assert themselves back on top as champions once again.
