Nov 1st, 2017

Nov 1st, 2017

Chris Taylor, Corey Seager and the Los Angeles Dodgers have sent Major League Baseball's twist-and-turn World Series to game seven, rallying against Justin Verlander to beat the Houston Astros 3-1.

A comeback win on Halloween night gave Dodger Stadium fans a chance to celebrate a first championship since 1988 - the Astros are chasing their maiden title.

Yu Darvish will start for Los Angeles in Wednesday's winner-take-all decider, while Lance McCullers Jr will pitch for the biggest game in Astros history.

The entire Houston pitching staff will be available, including Dallas Keuchel and possibly Justin Verlander.

"I think all of our guys are going to have the adrenaline on their side," manager AJ Hinch said.

"They're all going to be ready to pitch. How we use them, how much we use them - we'll get to the field. They'll do their throwing program. If it's one pitch or a hundred pitches, I think we're going to have to have all hands on deck."

McCullers has been a resilient contributor to the Astros' remarkable season.

While Keuchel and Verlander have formed a dynamic one-two punch at the top, McCullers has been a steady young contributor as No.3.

And if the Astros can claim the first championship in their 56-year history, McCullers has already played a role.

McCullers won the World Series' game three, pitching four-hit ball into the sixth inning of Houston's 5-3 victory.

"I did as best as I could for as long as I could," McCullers said.

Earlier, he pitched four stellar innings to earn the save in game seven of the AL Championship Series, holding the Yankees scoreless. McCullers ended that game with 24 consecutive curve balls.

"I really felt like I had the Yankees on their heels a little bit and was able to execute, use a little bit of their aggression against them," McCullers said.

His victory over the Dodgers in game three was his first in 12 appearances.

Darvish is seeking redemption for a rough game-three start.

The Dodgers' prized late-season acquisition couldn't get through the second inning for the first time in his big-league career, giving up six hits and four runs while getting only five outs.

"I wouldn't say it was the worst outing I ever had. I can't pay that much attention to what happened last time. Just focus on (Wednesday's) outing and have a good game."

©AP2017