Astros Take Two of Three from Dodgers in Rematch of 2017 World Series

The American League West leading Houston Astros played a three game series at National League West leading Los Angeles on the weekend of August 3rd-5th. In this rematch of last year’s World Series, the Astros once again got the best of the Dodgers, taking two of the three games.

The Friday, August 3rd game featured a gem of a pitching performance by Houston’s Justin Verlander. The right hander struck out 14 Dodgers and allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings in the Astros’ 2-1 victory. Verlander improved his record to 11-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 204 strikeouts. He is second in the American League in the latter two categories.

Saturday’s game was a blowout, with the Astros scoring four runs in the sixth inning and seven in the eighth on the way to a 14-0 victory. Newly acquired backup catcher Martin Maldonado drove in three runs, as did right fielder Josh Redick. Veteran reliever John Axford, whom the Dodgers acquired at the trade deadline from Toronto, allowed six runs in 1/3 of an inning in his first appearance for his new team.

The Dodgers salvaged Sunday’s game behind a three for four day at the plate for Manny Machado, and two RBIs from Brian Dozier, both recent additions via trade. The Dodger bullpen also regained its footing, with Kenley Jansen picking up his 31st save.

At the end of the weekend, the Astros were 71-42, the second best record in the majors behind Boston. They were four games ahead of surprising Oakland, who is simply not going away. The Dodgers (62-51) were in a tie with Arizona for first in the N.L. West. The Dodgers are at Oakland for a two game set starting on August 7th. The Astros are right across the bay with a two game series at San Francisco beginning on August 6th.