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World Series 2017: 5 X-factors that will help Astros win

By Adam Strangis

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 17: Cameron Maybin
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 17: Cameron Maybin /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 21: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees to close out the eighth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 21, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Lance McCullers

The Astros have not announced their starting pitchers past Games 1 and 2 as of this writing. Keuchel and Verlander are going to start the first two, and we’ll see how the Astros handle their rotation from there. Regardless of whether he starts or is used in long relief, McCullers is a key component to a Houston victory.

McCullers struggled with injury and ineffectiveness in the second half of the season. The young pitcher only threw 27.2 of an inning and had an ERA over 8. Now, McCullers has righted the ship in the playoffs through 13 innings and striking out a batter for every inning thrown. He pitched the Astros into the World Series by throwing 27 straight curveballs to Yankee batters in the ALCS.

Houston could conceivably only throw three starting pitchers the way the series is laid out. McCullers could be best served as a weapon out of the bullpen at this point. It’s possible that, since he was injured for such a large portion of the second half, his stamina isn’t where it needs to be for him to go deep into games. That doesn’t mean he can’t come in for a short spurt and throw as hard as he can to get the Astros a win. If he knows he only has to throw an inning or two, he can throw the fastball harder, which makes his curve even more effective.

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