Analyzing the Game 1 Starters of The 2021 World Series
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Braves RHP Charlie Morton
After signing a 1 Year - $15M Contract with the Atlanta Braves on November 24th, 2020; Morton was coming off a phenomenal stretch of 4 years (2017-2020) with both the Astros & Rays. During that stretch, Morton was selected to two All-Star games (1 with HOU & 1 with TB) while posting some reputable stats in the “latter half” of his career.
Stats Combined in 2 Seasons with Houston (2017-18):
5.8 WAR, 3.36 ERA, 313.2 IP, 29-10, 364 K, 123 ERA+, 3.53 FIP, 1.176 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, 3.3 BB/9
Stats Combined in 2 Seasons with Tampa Bay (2019-20):
4.9 WAR, 3.33 ERA, 232.2 IP, 18-8, 282 K, 131 ERA+, 2.92 FIP, 1.135 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, 2.6 BB/9
2021 Season with Atlanta:
4.2 WAR, 3.34 ERA, 185.2 IP, 14-6, 216 K, 132 ERA+, 3.18 FIP, 1.045 WHIP, 10.5 K/9, 2.8 BB/9
On face value, It could be argued that Morton’s 2021 season with the Braves was better than any of his 4 years spend between Houston and Tampa and for very good reason. Morton’s years with Houston were surprising to many & through it those two years, an Astros World Series Championship in 2017 will be what he’s most remembered for….That is IF the Braves don’t win the World Series to cap off their 2021 season against his former team.
Charlie Morton Stats vs Houston:
57.1 IP, 4-6, 6.28 ERA, 44 K, 1.67 WHIP, 6.91 K/9, 11.93 H/9, 5 ER, 4O ER in 11 Career Appearances vs Astros
Charlie Morton’s 2021 Postseason Stats:
0-1, 3.77 ERA, 14.1 IP, 19 K, 8 BB, 1.26 WHIP, 6 ER
Charlie Morton vs Houston’s 2021 ALCS Game 6 Lineup:
Altuve: 2-10, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .200 AVG, .750 OPS
Brantley: 3-15, 4 K, 1 BB, 4 RBI, .200 AVG, .583 OPS
Bregman: 1-4, 1 K, .250 AVG, .500 OPS
Alvarez: 1-2, 1 K, .500 AVG, 1.500 OPS
Correa: *
Tucker: *
Gurriel: 1-3, 1 K, 1 BB, .333 AVG, 1.167 OPS
McCormick: *
Maldonado: 7-13, 1 K , 4 BB, 1 RBI, .583 AVG, 1.282 OPS
* = No Stats Available
(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Astros LHP Framber Valdez
Since entering the league in 2018, Framber Valdez has slowly and steadily made himself an integral piece of Houston’s pitching staff. Originally an international signing back in 2015, Framber Valdez came up big when the Astros needed it most in Game 5 of The ALCS vs Boston. Prior to Framber’s Game 5 start, NONE of Houston’s starters were able to go the “Minimum” of 5 innings before Valdez went toe to toe with a potent Red Sox lineup, only giving up 1 run.
Valdez’ Career Stats (2018-2021):
4.1 WAR, 3.74 ERA, 313.0 IP, 24-17, 303, 118 ERA+, 4.04 FIP,1.313 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 4.1 BB/9
Valdez’ Stats This Postseason:
1-0, 4.20 ERA, 15.0 IP, 13 K, 5 BB, 1.40 WHIP, 7 ER
Valdez’ Stats vs Atlanta’s 2021 NLCS Game 6 Lineup:
Rosario: 1-3, 1 K, .333 AVG, .833 OPS
There were no stats available for Freeman, Albies, Riley, Duvall, Pederson, Swanson & d’Arnoud as they have all yet to face Framber Valdez in their careers.
Final Thoughts
Game 1 of any series, in any sport is always one of the biggest, and Tuesday night in Houston will be no different. A fine aged veteran in Charlie Morton will be on the mound for Atlanta in their first World Series appearance in over 22 years. Valdez on the other hand will be taking the mound for Houston is arguably the biggest game of his young career against a very skilled Braves lineup. This game and this series as a whole should be fun as both teams are very offensively productive and have some defensively sound infields. If Valdez is able to carry over his momentum from his Game 5 ALCS matchup & if Morton can keep up his recent postseason intensity up, then we should be in for a very good game that could come down to the wire.
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Reference Page:
BaseballReference
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