The Houston Astros will make their sixth consecutive appearance in the American League Championship Series. It just took Jeremy Pea’s one powerful swing, but that was sufficient.
Peña homered in the top of the 18th inning was the difference in Saturday’s 1-0 victory for Houston over the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series. The victory was earned by Luis Garcia, who went the distance for the Astros and capped off a magnificent performance by the bullpen.
The 2017 World Series victory marked the beginning of Houston’s streak of victories in the American League Championship Series. However, it was unable to go past the American League Championship Series in 2018 and 2020, and it suffered defeat in the World Series in 2019 against Washington and in 2018 against Atlanta.
According to the manager of the Houston Astros, Dusty Baker, “after you’ve been through it and then you undergo it over and over and over again, then you sort of demand perfection,” and that is what this team wants out of itself.
The Philadelphia Phillies, led by Bryce Harper, defeated the Atlanta Braves by a score of 8-3 in Game 4 of their best-of-five Division Series on Saturday. With this victory, the Phillies moved on to play in the National League Championship Series. Since 2010, this is Philadelphia’s first trip in the National League Championship Series.
After the Padres shocked the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 to win their Division Series in four games, the National League Championship Series will begin on Tuesday with all wild card teams competing. The first game will be played in San Diego. After 24 years, San Diego has finally made it to the National League Championship Series.
On Wednesday, the Houston Astros will play either the New York Yankees or the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the World Series. The game will take place in Houston. On Sunday night, Game 4 of the American League Division Series will take place between Cleveland and New York. If Cleveland prevails, they will move to the next round.
