Remarkably, this is the fourth consecutive year that the Houston Astros have reached the American League Championship Series, and the fourth consecutive year in which they have faced a team from the AL East. In 2017 and 2019 they beat the Yankees; in 2018 they lost to the Red Sox. Now it's up to the Devil Rays. The Rays got it done last night, winning a very dull game by the score of 2-1.
National League:
Los Angeles and Atlanta tied at 0-0
American League:
Tampa Bay leads Houston 1-0
Going into the top of the 9th, the Rays led 4-1. Houston loaded the bases with no one out, but then George Springer hit into a 6-3 double play with a run scoring. So now Jose Altuve is up with two outs and a runner on third. The Rays walk him, thus bringing the lead run to the plate in the form of Michael Brantley.
ReplyDeleteNick Anderson, pitching carefully, throws two balls to Brantley. Then a third ball way outside. Then a fourth ball high. Now the bases are loaded for Alex Bregman.
ReplyDeleteBregman, having watched Anderson walk two batters in a row, whacks at the first pitch -- and flies out to center. Of all the things baseball players do, the one that drives me nuttier than any other is when they swing at the first pitch thrown by a wild pitcher. Tampa Bay wins the game 4-2, and the Rays lead the Astros by two games to zero.
ReplyDeleteFreddie Freeman, who hits about 75 home runs a year against the Nats, whacks a home run in the top of the 1st to stake Atlanta to a 1-0 lead.
ReplyDeleteIf the National League Championship Series is going to be played in a neutral location, I think it should be a series of day games at Wrigley Field.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it should not involve designated hitters.
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