World Series 2021 – Atlanta Braves or Houston Astros? Fall Classic MVP? Our expert predictions

The 2021 World Series is set: The American League champion Houston Astros, making their third Fall Classic appearance in five years, face the National League champion Atlanta Braves, who just won their first pennant since 1999.

Who is going to win it all — and how many games will it take? Who will be named MVP? Which player’s breakout performance will make him the talk of baseball? And what one thing will make the difference between winning a ring or going home empty-handed?

We asked our MLB experts all of these questions. Here’s how they responded.

Key links: Complete playoff coverage | Everything you need to know about Astros-Braves | Ranking all 52 players in World Series (ESPN+)

Houston Astros (12 votes) vs. Atlanta Braves (3 votes)

How many games? Astros in 6 (6 votes); Astros in 7 (5 votes); Braves in 7 (2 votes); Astros in 5 and Braves in 6 (1 vote each)

MVP: Carlos Correa (4 votes); Yordan Alvarez (3 votes); Jose Altuve, Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker (2 votes each); Ozzie Albies and Luis Garcia (1 vote each)

Breakout star: Kyle Tucker (3 votes); Ozzie Albies and Luis Garcia (2 votes each); Adam Duvall, Kendall Graveman, Cristian Javier, Tyler Matzek, Joc Pederson, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson and Framber Valdez (1 vote each)

Tristan Cockcroft: Astros in 7

MVP: Jose Altuve

The breakout player who becomes a household name: I don’t think anyone really qualifies as a true “breakout,” since I think most of the standouts will be names we know, but I think Luis Garcia should continue his good run. Let’s say him, since he’s hardly a household name.

The one thing that will decide the series: I do think home-field advantage will matter in this year’s Series. After the magical run the Braves have been on, you’d think they’d be a natural choice for a third straight upset, but I think the Astros’ home-field advantage is a significant one and potentially the difference.

Bradford Doolittle: Astros in 7

MVP: Yordan Alvarez

The breakout player who becomes a household name:…