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Houston Astros Win 2017 World Series

The Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series on Tuesday night by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 at Dodger Stadium. It is the first time the franchise has claimed the Commissioner’s Trophy.

Houston Astros Win 2017 World Series over Los Angeles Dodgers

Houston Astros Win 2017 World Series over Los Angeles Dodgers

It was a whirlwind series as the Astros and Dodgers battled back and forth inning after inning and game after game. There were numerous comebacks and multiple opportunities for each team throughout the best-of-7 Fall Classic. In the end, Houston did what it failed to do in its first trip to the World Series back in 2005: they won.

The rebuilding process finally came to fruition with the victory over the Dodgers on November 1. It was an impressive series for entire team, including three Houston first round picks on the roster. George Springer was the 11th overall selection in 2011 out of the University of Connecticut. Carlos Correa was the first overall pick from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in 2012. The second overall pick in 2015 was used to select LSU shortstop Alex Bregman. The two first round picks between Correa and Bregman included Mark Appel in 2013 whom was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and Brady Aiken in 2014 whom failed to sign with the team. Lance McCullers was also a 2012 first round pick by the Houston Astros with the 41st overall selection.

With a possible MVP award looming, Jose Altuve came through when it counted most. He belted home runs, extra base hits, and kept the enthusiasm of the ball club at its peak when the team needed it. As an international free agent and standing only 5’6”, Altuve may be one of the most unsung heroes in World Series history.

Houston Astros Win 2017 World Series over Los Angeles DodgersOne of the biggest pieces to the Houston Astros success over the second half of the season and the post season is undoubtedly the trade for Justin Verlander. He was unbeaten since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers and gave vital playoff and World Series experience to a team that lacked such players. The one player who did have some of that experience though was Carlos Beltran. Although he was merely a DH and pinch hitter for the majority of the season, he made the most to his return to Houston after being a midseason rental back in 2004.

The ace of the staff, Dallas Keuchel, may have only went 2-2 in the post season, but he tossed quality innings and kept his team in games, giving the explosive offense a chance to make up for miscues.

This was the first matchup of 100-win teams in the World Series since 1970. It may have not gone the distance to seven games, but every minute was enthralling and kept you on the edge of your seat. If you thought a crooked number was enough of a lead in the last inning, you were wrong. If you thought this was going to be a dominating performance by one side or the other, you were wrong. If you thought a regular season NFL or NBA game would be more exciting than any of the World Series games, you were again wrong.

The 2017 World Series may have been under hyped once the New York Yankees were eliminated. The end result however was a classic, one of the best and most exciting series MLB has seen. If only the World Series were this good every year.

 

 

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