If you paid attention to the World Series this year, you were met with some of the greatest pitching and offensive performances in World Series history. The offense for both teams, the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, shined, as they combined to hit the most homers in World Series history. The Astros came out on top with a 4-3 series win.
The first game was a battle between two former Cy Young winners. We all knew as soon as Keuchel threw the first pitch that it would be a great series, as Dodgers centerfielder Chris Taylor hit a solo home run to lead off the World Series. The Dodgers ended up winning game one 3-1 thanks to a go-ahead two run homer by Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner.
Game two was historic, as the Astros hit a game tying home run in the ninth off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen to go to extra innings, and that’s when things went wild. The Astros hit two homers in the tenth, then the Dodgers hit two homers in the bottom of the tenth. Astros centerfielder George Springer hit a two run homer, then the Dodgers fell short hitting only one solo homer to lose 7-6. Game two had the most home runs in a World Series, and the most home runs in extra innings.
Game three was a more calm game, as the Astros dominated the Dodgers 5-3. Dodgers starter Yu Darvish lasted just 1.2 innings, and the bullpen got tired out through the rest of the game, which would come back to bite them.
The Dodgers came back to take game four, but game five is when things really put this series into the history books. The Dodgers took a huge 4-0 lead with Kershaw on the mound, and it looked like the game was over, until Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel hit a big game tying three run homer onto the train in Minute Maid Park in Houston. Dodgers rookie phenom first baseman Cody Bellinger hit a three run homer, and after that, it looked like the Dodgers had taken back momentum. Then, when Dodgers postseason bullpen ace Kenta Maeda came out in the 5th, Astros second baseman and MVP candidate Jose Altuve hit a game tying homer. The Astros ended up taking a three run lead into the ninth inning. The Dodgers didn’t give up, as Astros relievers Will Harris and Chris Devenski gave up the lead, giving up a two run homer to Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, and a two out RBI hit by Taylor. The Astros won the game in extra innings thanks to third baseman Alex Bregman, who hit a game winning single to win 13-12. “I was pretending to be Derek Jeter,” Bregman said.
Five exciting games, and a chance to bring home a winner for two states that have had weather trouble, with the California fires and hurricane Harvey in Texas that devastated Houston.
Even though I wanted the Dodgers to win because my dad is a Dodgers fan, and the Dodgers have been a part of my life since I was a kid, but at this point, it didn’t matter. This World Series was a trip to go on.
Although, not everything was exciting. In game three in Houston the Astros beat up Darvish. Gurriel, after hitting a homer off Darvish, made Asian eyes to Darvish, creating controversy, as if the series didn’t need anymore drama. Thank goodness Astros DH Carlos Beltran was there to ease the situation helping the Cuban rookie. The media was throwing it out of proportion, and Darvish, Gurriel, and Beltran agreed that it was fine, and it was a cultural misunderstanding, but certainly not okay, as Gurriel got suspended five games to start the 2018 season.
Back in LA, Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson hit a game winning two run home run to send the Dodgers to game seven. “This series was destined to go to seven games,” Astros pitcher Lance McCullers said.
The Astros came out and beat up Darvish again, scoring five runs off of him. I hoped that the Dodgers would come back, but the Astros had won. The game ended on a groundball to Altuve, and the Astros won 5-1.
Why is this series better than last year’s, 2011, or any other World Series? Because these were the best teams in the respective leagues having a dogfight. It was interesting, it was fun to watch, and no one gave up. Not every game in every World Series is a fun one to watch, or even has an iconic game everyone will remember like the Cardinals comeback in game six in 2011, or the walk off home run in 1993, or the perfect game in 1956. Every game was like a movie. It had an arc. Game one was an exposition. Game four was a rising action. Game five was the climax. And game seven was the resolution.
Springer deserved the Willie Mays award for the best player in the World Series. The Dodgers couldn’t get him out, and had three big home runs to help the Astros win their first World Series against an MLB dynasty.
Now the question is, who’s the next to win their first World Series?
