World Series 2021: Updated Astros vs. Braves Predictions and Schedule

If you like postseason baseball, and you're not an Atlanta Braves fan, you're no doubt happy about the results of Sunday's World Series Game 5, in which the Houston Astros staved off elimination for at least one more game. 

With their win in Atlanta, the Astros forced a Game 6 as they return to Minute Maid Park for up to two more games. Their bid to win a second World Series in five years remains alive. 

The Braves, meanwhile, missed out on the opportunity to clinch their first World Series title since 1995 at home, which would have made them perfect at Truist Park in the postseason.

Let's take a look at the remaining schedule for Games 6 and, if necessary, 7 of the World Series and make some predictions for how things could shake out as the Astros offense awakens.

World Series Remaining Schedule

Game 6 (Minute Maid Park): Tues. Nov. 2, 8:09 p.m. ET (Fox)

Game 7 (Minute Maid Park): Wed. Nov. 3*, 8:09 p.m. ET (Fox)

*if necessary 

So many people had the Braves winning it all Sunday night, but it seems some were guilty of forgetting how potent this Astros offense can be when everything is humming.

The Braves, after all, weren't able to climb over .500 until the first week of August. The Astros won 95 games. 

Atlanta was looking to clinch the series in a bullpen game starting its third rookie pitcher (in as many consecutive games), with Tucker Davidson getting the call in Game 5. The Braves added the 25-year-old to the World Series roster after losing Charlie Morton to a fractured fibula in Game 1.

Ian Anderson started Game 3 for Atlanta and Dylan Lee started Game 4—which was not only his first postseason start but also his first MLB start.

In fact, Lee became the first pitcher to make his first major league start in a World Series game

Left-hander Framber Valdez, meanwhile, took the mound for the Astros after a mercurial month. In Game 1 of this series, the Braves hit him for five runs over two innings as they took the opener 6-2.

When the Astros have had their backs against the wall, though, the 27-year-old has delivered, helping turn around the ALCS against the Red Sox and having a season highlight in a shutout of the Los Angeles Angels in September. 

In the four games of the series leading into Sunday, Astros hitters had had a less-than-impressive showing against the Braves, compiling a .206/.291/.298 slash line. 

But Houston's offense came alive Sunday when the Astros, who trailed 4-0, patiently worked their way back against Davidson, who allowed four runs (two earned) and A.J. Minter, who allowed three.

In the fifth, Houston grabbed the steering wheel. The Braves had intentionally walked Alex Bregman. Then Martin Maldonado walked off Minter, bases-loaded. Marwin Gonzalez's two-run single was the linchpin as Houston worked to the 9-5 victory. 

It wasn't in the cards for the Braves to win at home. The way their pitching rotation fell, it would have been unlikely. But Atlanta has Max Fried and Ian Anderson coming up in Games 6 and 7.

And the Astros, who have proved their offensive firepower hasn't diminished, still face the unenviable task of becoming just the seventh team to overcome a 3-1 World Series deficit. The last team to do it? The 2016 Chicago Cubs, of course. 

Never say never, but ultimately, a late burst of offense isn't likely to be enough to propel Houston to two straight wins to clinch the series. 

Prediction: Braves in six