The AL's best team proved to be the best

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The Houston Astros wanted to prove they can still win another title without having an extra leg up on the competition. After falling short in last year's Fall Classic, the Astros went back to work with a goal in mind to win another title. The season got off to a hot/cold start. Once they got it going, there was no stopping an Astros team that played all-around ball. When it came to the AL's best 1st half team in the New York Yankees, they shut them down and showed no fear. They combined no-hit the Bronx Brothers in their own backyard. They started their 2nd half downfall thus taking over as the league's best. Despite never being #1 in our weekly power rankings throughout the season, the Astros hovered in the Top 5 for the majority of the campaign. They were the first AL team to punch their ticket to the postseason. They were the #1 seed and earned a first-round bye.  

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The Road To Dominance

It was a display of dominance for the Astros in the postseason. However, they could have been among the bye teams eliminated in the Division Series. Thanks to the amazing comeback in the first two games, they turned the series upside down against a Seattle Mariners team that thought they had it made. The 18-inning Game 3 marathon proved to test the Astros resilience as they swept the series to move on to the LCS. Rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena delivered when it counted the most in that game; it would be the first of many for that man.

 

In the LCS, the Astros showed why they owned the Yankees throughout the regular season. The pitching staff delivered an outstanding performance against a team that depended on their offense to lead the way. Despite the survival fight from the pinstripers in Game 4, the Astros finished them off in sweeping fashion in four games. They won the AL pennant without problem

 

The World Series looked like it was going to be a handful for the Astros in Game 1 as they faced the hot bats of the Philadelphia Phillies; the NL pennant winners showed the ability to comeback down from behind. In Game 2, starting pitcher Framber Valdez shut down those concerns. The concerns came back again in Game 3 as the hot bats of the Phillies showed up in explosive fashion as they teed off 5 times off starter Lance McCullers. After that game, the pitching staff took over the series which proved to be the turning point. In Game 4, starter Cristian Javier led a combined no-hitter that silenced the scorching bats of the Phillies. Game 5 proved to be a redemption start for ace Justin Verlander as he pitched a strong quality start; it was the clutch bat of rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena and the defense of Trey Mancini and Chas McCormick that delivered the game for the team. Up 3-1 at home, Game 6 was an all-around clinching performance as DH Yordan Alvarez delivered the shot that sealed it and the bullpen taking over after another great performance from Framber Valdez. After the last out was made in foul territory by the first base side, it was a raucous celebration as the Astros won their second title five years later. Clutch rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena was named as the Willie Mays World Series MVP; his performance throughout the season and postseason made the organization the right choice in moving on from Carlos Correa. Dusty Baker, who took over in the aftermath of the Trashgate scandal, finally got his ring as a manager. He joined a list that won it as a player (1981 with the Dodgers) and a manager; he also became the third African-American manager to win the World Series (joining Cito Gaston and Dave Roberts)

 

"We Want Houston"

As the opponents chanted for them after their respective series win (only to be met with a bad outcome), the fanbase chanted for them during the parade celebration. Nearly two million attended the parade, which doubled in size from the last one back in '17. The increase in-attendance was thanks to the city of Houston calling schools off for the day so they can be part of the festivities. Getting the most attention: World Series MVP Jeremy Pena. The players were amazed of the jubilancy of the fans and what they accomplished as a team. The Astros can look forward to defending the title next season as Dusty Baker will return to the helm; now he can relax and party until camps open up in February.