The 2017 World Series between H-Town and the City of Angels is already making history. This is the first time that both clubs in the final matchup of the post season have earned triple-digit wins since 1970. However, while this is not Houston’s first rodeo; their Game-Two victory would be their first World Series single-game win ever. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Dodgers’ Rookie All-Star Cody Bellinger wasn’t even alive during the team’s last World Series appearance.
Disastrous floods in Houston put the city on its knees near the end of August. In September, the community was kept afloat by their hometown team Houston Astros. The ‘Stros went 20-8 and started the month 6-0 with a sweep of the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners. H-Town went on to finish strong with a remarkable 101-61 record–third in the MLB.
Their Opponent? Number one overall, Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers finished 104-58 with a historic 34 game-run in which 30 of those went down as ticks in the “win” column. Los Angeles has not appeared in a World Series matchup since 1988. While this is not as dramatic as the 2016 champion Cubs, it will undoubtedly prove to be a huge victory for L.A.
Game One was the hottest post-season game in history and went in favor of the hometown Dodgers resulting in a 3-1 victory for starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw. The power lefty tossed seven solid innings, giving up only three hits and one run while striking out 11.
Game Two certainly should be considered as one of the most exciting World Series games played in very long time. In an extra innings victory for the Astros, they outscored Los Angeles 8-7. Dodgers’ starter Rich Hill only went four innings before skipper Dave Roberts made the executive decision to call out Kenta Maeda from the bullpen. With eight home runs over eleven innings, the largest fireworks show in baseball history was put on display.
Back in Houston, the ‘Stros would jump out early against Yu Darvish in Game Three, going into the third inning with a 4-0 lead after a Yulli Gurriel two-run shot. The Dodgers were two runs short of extra innings and came up empty in a 5-3 loss at MinuteMaid Park.
The Astros remained undefeated at home in post-season play after their second victory; however the team would surrender their run in Game Four credited to a moonshot off the bat of Joc Pederson. The matchup was a nail-biter for fans of both clubs going into the top of the ninth with a score of 3-2: Dodgers. The outfielder’s homer went on to give his team a 6-2 lead, and tied up the series two-two.
Game Five was much anticipated as soon as probables Dallas Keuchel and Clayton Kershaw were announced. The pitching matchup turned into a slugfest, with Keuchel going only 3.2 innings and surrendering three runs with four strikeouts. Kershaw received a beating as well, giving up six runs through just 4. The final score: Dodgers 12, Astros 13.
Houston now leads the series three games to two, and will resume with game six at Dodger stadium on Tuesday at 5 pm.
