World Series 2017 Predictions: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros Expert Picks

Heading into the 2017 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are getting the majority of the support. Not only do the betting odds favor L.A. to beat the Houston Astros, but most experts are picking the Dodgers to win their first championship in 29 years.

It only makes sense that a lot of World Series predictions have Los Angeles winning, considering what they did in the regular season and the first two rounds of the MLB playoffs. L.A. was the best team in baseball with 104 wins, and they went a combined 7-1 in the NLDS and NLCS.

The Dodgers hit a slump in August, but they began winning when the postseason got closer. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball, and Justin Turner is one of the top playoff hitters in history.

There are experts that are picking the Astros, and it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see them win their first title in franchise history. As good as Kershaw is, Houston’s one-two punch at the front of the rotation could help them steal a game on the road.

Dallas Keuchel has a 2.59 ERA in six career postseason appearances. Justin Verlander is currently pitching better than any starter in the series, and he’s been unhittable since being traded to Houston on Aug. 31. After ending the regular season with a 1.06 ERA in five starts for the Astros, the veteran has gone 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA in October.

The betting public seems to be on the Dodgers’ side, at least initially. According to ESPN.com, bets that would pay $300,000 and $50,000 were made on L.A. to win the World Series at Las Vegas sportsbooks. CG Technology also took a $33,000 wager on Los Angeles.

Twenty-two of 35 ESPN experts predicted the Dodgers to beat the Astros. All but two picked the series to last at least six games.