Gregor: Astros are heavy World Series favorites, but they'll need 7 games to beat Nationals

Catching up with Adam Eaton when the Nationals played the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in June, I asked the animated outfielder about the 2016 trade that sent him to Washington for three promising starting pitchers - Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning.

"Are you trying to put more pressure on me?" Eaton said with a scowl that quickly switched to a smirk. "Honestly, I don't even think about it. They (Nationals) got me because they want to win and that's where my focus has been."

Looking to rebuild after the 2016 season, the Sox traded Chris Sale to the Red Sox on Dec. 6 for a package of prospects headed by Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech.

The next day, they shipped Eaton to the Nats.

Washington made it to the playoffs four times from 2012-17 and never made it out of the National League division series.

This season, the Nationals were 19-31 on May 24 and manager Dave Martinez appeared to be another loss or two away from being canned.

Washington regrouped, went 74-38 the rest of the way, rallied past the Brewers in the wild-card game, stunned the Dodgers in the NLDS and swept the Cardinals in the NLCS.

The Nats are in the World Series, and they are big underdogs against the American League champion Astros as Game 1 opens Tuesday night in Houston.

"I truly believe that these guys are fired up to be here," Martinez told reporters Monday. "We played a lot of unbelievable games this year. We've come a long way. I think they're excited to be here and ready to play."

According to BetOnline, the Astros are the heaviest favorite to win the World Series since 2007, when the Red Sox swept the Rockies.

Houston led the major leagues with 107 wins during the regular season and has the likely Cy Young Award winner in Gerrit Cole, MVP in Alex Bregman and Rookie of the Year in Yordan Alvarez.

But after dispatching the Rays in the ALDS and Yankees in the ALCS, the Astros aren't rolling with their big odds over Washington.

"I think they (Nationals) are incredibly talented," said Cole, who starts vs. Max Scherzer in Game 1. "I think they've had their backs up against the wall early in the year and it just kind of goes to show you the character of the players that they have. I think in the center of the lineup it starts with Anthony Rendon being the tone setter, a really special talent, probably a generational talent. We'll have to see how it all plays out."

For as good as the Astros are, the Nationals have the postseason juju on their side.

This sets up as a great World Series, and we'll give it to Houston in seven games.