A glorious World Series

In a rare respite from matters mentioned in my previous post -- while I'm awake -- all is calm for a little while. Praise be for small, or maybe not so small favors. So I'll try to get in a quickie post before duty calls again.

The 2017 World Series between the LA Dodgers and Houston Astros is turning out to be quite the epic showdown. Now tied at 2 games apiece, one thing's for sure. The Series will be going back to LA-LA- Land for at least a Game 6, and few would be surprised if a Game 7 happens as well.

With all due respect for other very worthy teams, the LA and Houston squads seem to have it all. Terrific starting pitching. Lights out bullpens. Speed galore, both on the basepathes and in the field. We've seen one defensive gem after another.

And oh yeah, every once in a while, though both line-ups are loaded with great hitters (that have been pretty much shut down by the above-mentioned pitching), a spate of runs. True, a little more scoring wouldn't hurt, but this has made for a great Fall Classic nonetheless.

So now it's the best 2 out of 3. Perhaps as it should be between these two teams. Sure, either could win two straight and close it out, but don't you just get the feeling it's going to go down to a nail-biting Game 7?

The Dodgers have their ace -- one Clayton Kershaw. The question is -- which game will he start next? Game 5 or Game 6?

Conversely, the Astros have their own ace -- one Justin Verlander. He's yet to lose again since being dealt to Houston from Detroit a few months ago. And in which future game will HE take the mound?

Thing is, as pitching rotations go, they're not scheduled to play in the same game.

Or will they?

We'll see both of them for sure. The only question is when?

It likely depends on which team wins the crucial Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the series.

Or maybe not. Would the Dodgers start Kershaw in Game 5 on semi-short rest, assuming they'd win, and take their chances on getting at least one more back home in Games 6 and 7? Maybe.

Or might the Astros send Verlander out on even shorter rest to win a crucial game? Verlander's a horse and could shoulder the load, but.....Or hold him back until Game 6?

This particular chess match will get very interesting, very soon.

Who's going to win?

Two theories on that.

First, yours truly isn't exactly an LA fan. Been there. Disneyland sucks compared to it's bigger brother outside Orlando, Florida. Between the uppity folks -- see entertainers -- that think their you-know-what doesn't stink, and the idiots, it can be really frustrating for a semi-sane person to deal with. And oh my, the traffic. How can it be that an interstate with 4-6 lanes each way can have bumper to bumper traffic for miles -- EVERY FREAKING DAY? So no, no love lost there.

Never been a big fan of anything Texas either. WAY too much macho crappola always goes on down there. But you have to feel a bit for Houston, after they got pounded so bad by hurricane flooding a while back.

So yeah, consider me rooting for the Stros.

Thing is, that's the kiss of death, a trait I inherited from my late father. Dad could always pick em. Losers, that is.

The other theory revolves around Sports Illustrated and their legendary "cover jinx".

When SI has showcased an athlete or team over the years -- they appear surely doomed.

And guess who was front and center on the latest issue?

One Justin Turner, third baseman for the LA Dodgers, and an accompanying article by the always long-winded -- see gas bag -- Tom Verducci. Dear Tom can't seem to write anything that doesn't drag on for at least three or four sessions on the proverbial throne for an average reader to finally slog through.

In that respect, the pseudo sports gurus at SI have cast their own jinx on the LA-LA-landers.

Dang, my family jinx goes head to head with that of SI. Wonder which one will prevail?

Nonetheless, this has been a terrific World Series so far, and the next 2 or 3 games between these two super teams should be great to watch as well.

By all means -- bring it on,

Uh-oh. Somebody needs me again. That didn't last long, dammit.

Gotta go. Will rant again as soon as possible.