World Championship To Houston

They don't call it the Fall Classic for nothing. This 2017 World Series will go down in the history books as one of the most exciting to ever be played in the 113 years that the series has been played. It had a little bit of everything in this series. Dramatic pitching efforts. Exciting comebacks. Long balls galore.It was the first time since 1970 that the two teams in the classic had won over 100 regular season games and it really didn't disappoint. At the end of the day, through seven very hard fought games, the Houston Astros walked away with the first world title in team history. Houston came into the league in 1962.

Power was on full display in this series, for Houston and Los Angeles. Both teams set a World Series record with a combined total of 25 home runs throughout the entire series, and hit a combined total of eight home runs in Game 2 to set the single game World Series mark. Those eight home runs in game two came off the bats of Marwin González, José Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Joc Pederson, Corey Seager, Yasiel Puig, and Charlie Culberson all went yard in a game that turned out to be the first win in the World series in Astros history (they got swept in their only other series appearance in 2005). Houston then followed that up with a win in the first game in Houston, knocking around Dodgers starter Yu Darvish (a story that would play a factor later in the series). Los Angeles responded in game four with a 6-3 win to even the series. When game four ended, both team pitching coaches commented how slick the ball felt for their pitchers in this series, something that also could have contributed to the scoring in the series.

Game five in Houston was one of the craziest games that has ever been played in the fall classic. Houston walked away with a 13-12 victory in twelve innings. A lot of history was made in game five. Houston became only the second team to come back twice from three runs down in a World Series game, the other being the Toronto Blue Jays in the 15–14 win during Game 4 of the 1993 World Series. Game five lasted five hours and seventeen minutes, making it the second longest World Series game in history by time, trailing only the 14 inning contest between the Astros and the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series. The six game tying home runs in the series to this point is the most for any World Series on record. Bregman became the third youngest player have a walk off hit in the World Series ever.

Once things moved back to LA, the Dodgers seemed to find their form again, walking away with a 3-1 win over Justin Verlander, who had been dominating during the post season. Houston wasn't affected by it, thanks to a fast start in game seven, Houston walked away with a 5-1 win and their first ever world championship. With the title win, Houston ended the third-longest current MLB championship drought. Currently, the Cleveland Indians, sitting at 69 years, and the Texas Rangers, sitting at 57 years, continue to wait for a title. For the Dodgers, they're still looking for their first title since 1988. George Springer was named MVP of the Series, hitting .379 with five home runs and seven RBI's in the fall classic. He had a record eight extra-base hits during this Fall Classic, surpassing Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who had seven extra-base hits during the 1979 World Series. Its the 2nd year in a row that an Outfielder had won MVP, Ben Zobrist of the Cubs won it last year. It marks the first time since 2004 and 2005 that outfielders have won the award in back to back years.

The two biggest things that stuck out to me about the series was the number of long balls and the short outings from the starters. Both teams hitting twenty five home runs in the entire series really is an astounding number when you read it. Baseballs were flying out of the park at a quick rate and it was entertaining to watch. At the same time it really made you think and realize just how much teams rely on the long ball in today's game. It seems like the hit and run, base stealing and things like that are becoming a bit of a lost art form. As is the depth of starting pitching. What I mean is that you never really see starters going very deep into games anymore. Look at what happened with Rich Hill in game two. He was pulled in the 4th inning and wasn't very happy about it. It also meant that the bullpen was getting overworked, which may have played a positive factor for Houston. Because the Dodgers have had to use the pen more late in the series, it may have hurt their chances.

This will go down as one of the greatest fall classics ever. Congrats to the Astros on their first ever World Series victory!