Gregor picks Dodgers over Astros in 6 games
In Chicago, the major-league baseball season is over.
The Cubs went down last Thursday, falling 4-1 to the Dodgers in the National League championship series.
The White Sox have been out since the end of the regular season, and they've been watching the playoffs from afar for the ninth straight year.
Baseball season is still game on for two teams - the Dodgers and Astros. They'll meet in the World Series, which opens Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
Here is a primer to get you ready:
3 players to watch: Dodgers
Corey Seager - Los Angeles easily dispatched the Cubs without Seager, an all-star in each of his first two full seasons. The shortstop sat out the NLCS with a back injury but is expected to be ready to go in the Fall Classic.
Brandon Morrow - When the Dodgers get the lead, opposing teams have to deal with the near impossible challenge of rallying against closer Kenley Jansen. They also have to deal with Morrow, Jansen's setup man. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, Morrow has allowed just 1 run on 3 hits in 8⅓ innings to go with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Yasiel Puig - Formerly known for his bad behavior on the baseball field, the right fielder has overcome that rep with his freakish skills. In 8 playoff games this year, Puig is batting .414 with 1 homer and 6 RBI.
3 players to watch: Astros
Jose Altuve - The pint-sized second baseman is the overwhelming favorite to win American League MVP honors after leading the majors with a .346 bating average. Altuve hasn't slowed down in the postseason, batting .400 with 5 home runs and 8 RBI. He hit 3 homers (2 off Chris Sale) in Game 1 of the ALDS.
Justin Verlander - The ALCS MVP after going 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA vs. the Yankees, Verlander is 4-0 over the first two rounds while allowing 4 earned runs in 24⅔ innings and striking out 24. If the Astros don't get the veteran right-hander in a last-minute Aug. 31 trade from Detroit, they're probably not in the World Series.
Carlos Correa - He just turned 23, but the shortstop has already established himself as one of the game's best players. In 11 playoff games, Correa is batting .295 with 3 homers and 9 RBI.
Gregor's prediction:
Dodgers in 6 games.