WORLD SERIES

Astros just need one more bit of magic to close out a memorable run

Astros just need one more bit of magic to close out a memorable run
The Astros were magical last night. Can they do it one more time? Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

There is only one word to describe Game 5 of the World Series.

Epic.

In the Astros’ 13-12, instant classic victory, one player after another stood up when it counted. Yuli Gurriel’s homer to tie it at 4. Jose Altuve’s to tie it at 7. George Springer’s to tie it at 8.

The Brian McCann gave Houston a 12-9 lead headed to the ninth, and it appeared the Astros would hold on.

They didn’t. The Dodgers, equally resilient, tied it up in the top of the inning.

But Alex Bregman came up with a clutch single in the 10th off of one of the most feared relievers in baseball, and the Astros are now one game away from their first ever World Series title. The scene returns to LA for Game 6 with the Astros leading three games to two, and the ride is nearly over.

And what a ride it has been. These two teams are so evenly matched that you could expect almost any outcome. Certainly having Justin Verlander on the mound for Game 6 should be an advantage for the Astros; this is, after all, why they brought him in. But who would have thought Dallas Keuchel and Clayton Kershaw would not make it past the fifth inning in Game 5?

Houston fans should appreciate what they are seeing. This is one of those sports moments that might never be duplicated. It’s certainly unprecedented in Astros history.

So what happens next? The Astros will need Verlander to be at his very best. The bullpen is strained and ineffective, so the Astros will ride their ace as long as they can. And the Astros need to get to Rich Hill early, so the Dodgers equally taxed bullpen has to decide the game.

If it gets to a Game 7, the Dodgers would have a distinct advantage, so the best chance at the first-ever title might be Tuesday night, with Verlander on the mound.

We have seen so much magic during this amazing run to this point. The Astros just need one more bit of magic. One more win. One more heroic effort.

And that would be the most epic result yet.

 

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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