Astros Win!

Game 7 of one of the best World Series in recent memory lacked some of the drama generated over the previous week.

And that’s probably the worst thing anyone could say about it.

The Houston Astros, prone to eruptions at the plate, scored twice in the first inning and three times in the second and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in the decisive game. The Astros, founded in 1962 as a National League expansion team and shifted to the American League in 2013, won the World Series for the first time.

George Springer snagged the MVP award as he tied the World Series record with five home runs, including Wednesday night’s two-run shot in the second inning. Charlie Morton pitched the final four innings for the win, allowing one run on two hits, striking out four and walking just one.

Springer hit .379 in the World Series and exulted afterward as he was presented with the MVP trophy.

“This is a dream come true, an honor,” he said as he thanked his teammates. “We’re coming back home as champions, Houston.”

The path to a championship wasn’t easy. The Astros lost more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons (2011-13) as they began assembling their potent lineup and after making the playoffs in 2015 they fell short in 2016. In 2017 they won 101 games and ran away with the American League’s West Division, winning it by 21 games.

This championship marks the end of that part of the journey and the beginning of the next. As a young, powerful team that led the major leagues in almost every batting category, the Astros are positioned to compete at this level for years to come.

Houston, you have no problem.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman