2017 World Series
The Astros are World Series Champions
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After six tough fought games, Game 7 would be another tight game. Both bullpens had to be used early and would not break. The Houston Astros had the key hits and plays to win Game 7, giving them their first World Series Championship in franchise history.
The Astros Go From Laughing Stock To Champions
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From 2011-2013, the Houston Astros would go through one of the worst stretches in MLB history, losing over 320 games, but after now the 2017 the Houston Astros are World Series Champions. The Astros used draft picks and a complement of veterans to win their first ever World Series.
In 2011, the Astros drafted World Series MVP George Springer in the first round, 11th overall.
The Astros selected Carlos Correa as the first overall pick in the 2013 draft. Game 7 starter Lance McCullers Jr., was also in the first round, 41st overall.
In 2015 the Astros selected Alex Bregman in the first round, second overall.
The Veterans Added
The Astros would sign Carlos Beltran, and Evan Gattis. Then they traded for Brian McCann and Justin Verlander, who ended up going 10-1 in his starts with the Houston Astros in 2017.
Now lets talk about Game 7
Astros Get to Darvish Early
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After scoring just one run and stranding eight men on base in Game 6, the Astros would start Game 7 fast. George Springer led off the game with a double. The next batter would hit an infield single and get to second on a throwing error by Cody Bellinger. Alex Bregman would steal third base and later scored on an RBI ground out from Jose Altuve. In the second inning, Brain McCann walked and Marwin Gonzalez hit a double to set up a second and third with nobody out. The starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. hit a soft infield grounder that scored McCann and Springer ended Darvish’s night with a two run home run to make the score 5-0. Yu Darvish went one and two thirds innings pitched, allowed 3 hits, 5 runs (4 earned) on just 47 total pitches.
Both Bullpens Dominate
For the first time in World Series history, neither starter completed the third inning in Game 7. Both bullpens had to step up. With a combination of Brandon Morrow, Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen, and Alex Wood, the Dodger bullpen went 7 and 1/3 innings allowing 2 hits , 0 runs, and striking out 9 batters. Not to be out dueled, the Astro bullpen dominated as well. Brad Peacock went 2 shutout innings, Francisco Liriano and Chris Devenski got 2 crucial outs, and Charlie Morton closed the door going 4 innings allowing just 1 run. For a starting pitcher who has not made a bullpen appearance since 2008, Morton proved on the biggest stage that he can shut the door and preserve the win.
Dodgers Went 1-13 with runners in scoring postition
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The Dodgers had many opportunities to come back in Game 7, but failed to do so. In the bottom of the first, the Dodgers had the bases loaded with two outs and failed to score. The next inning, the Dodgers had runners on first and second with 1 out, but a line drive double play would end the rally. During the third inning, the Dodgers had runners on first and second with no one out, but failed to score any runs. In the fifth inning, the Dodgers again had runners on first and second and failed to score any runs. The Dodgers finally got a run in the sixth inning on a single by Andre Either, but that was all of the scoring that they would do.
George Springer Wins MVP
After tying the record with 5 World Series home runs, George Springer easily won the World Series MVP. Springer has hit a home run in the last 4 World Series games and without him, the Astros would not have won the World Series this year.
What’s Next For Both the Astros and Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the 2018 World Series odds. The Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians make up the rest of the top 3 favorite teams to win next year’s World Series. The Dodger may have lost the World Series, but they still have a very strong team that could come back to win it all. As for the Houston Astros, they are young and could possibly go back to the World Series and repeat as Champions. Who knows, maybe the 2018 World Series could be a Houston Astros vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers rematch.