World Series 2017: 5 takeaways from Astros-Dodgers Game 5

3. Battle of the bullpens

With both bullpens feeling the pressure of the last few games of the season, both the Dodgers and the Astros hoped to get more innings from their starters. With Keuchel out after 3.2 innings and Kershaw out after 4.2, there was a scramble on both sides to figure out how to fill in the middle innings. It didn’t help matters when both teams kept the hit parade going, making it hard for the middle relief to gain traction.

Game 5 was rough for the pitching staff on both sides and the extra-inning game left both bullpens spent. The Astros and the Dodgers both exhausted their bullpens in 10 innings. The Dodgers allowed 14 hits and only 6 strikeouts combined. The Astros didn’t look much better with 14 hits, but they had a combined 12 strikeouts.

Thankfully, there is a rest day on Monday before the series heads back to Los Angeles. That will give relievers some much-needed rest, which is a good thing because the 2017 World Series could very easily go to seven games.

The Astros have a rested Justin Verlander set to start on Tuesday against LA’s Rich Hill, who has also gotten regular rest. Should the series go to Game 7, it will be very interesting to see who is available for the all-or-nothing game.