World Series Hinges on Gerrit Cole vs Max Scherzer

You literally couldn't draw up a more dramatic Game 5 if you tried.

After the Houston Astros stole two games on the road from the Nationals after Washington did the same in Houston, both teams will send their Cy Young-caliber ace to the mound Sunday night, as Gerrit Cole squares off against Max Scherzer to turn the series officially on its head.

No pressure or anything.

It's not hyperbolic to claim that whoever wins this game is probably going to take home the series.

If Scherzer once again proves to be nigh unhittable, shakes off his early jitters, and leads the Nationals to a 3-2 series advantage, they have to win one of two games in Houston, a city which has lost nearly all intimidation factor after the visitors won their first two games in Minute Maid.

If Cole can rediscover his high fastball and pitch like the Cole the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees both couldn't touch in the postseason, the Astros will take a 3-2 series lead back home. It's hard to believe that a team that is stacked at pretty much every position will lose four straight home games, and that should be a cinch from then on.

It's Washington's best against Houston's best. Expect a low-scoring grind that could give complete clarity as to who will hoist the trophy when it's all said and done.