#26. 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. 98. 2017 NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers
The hottest team going as we hit the Elite 8 is the Astros and it ain't close - they have run the table, swept all four series, just steamrolling their way through this tournament. They face a real world rival - in the 2017 the Dodgers lost a controversial World Series (not at the time, but as it turns out, the Astros had a sign stealing system that would cost AJ Hinch and the GM their jobs) to the Astros. This is really close to a rematch.
Astros 107-57 (Pythag 107-55) Mgr AJ Hinch (5th AL MoY)
1st in AL West
d. Rays 3-2 in ALDS
d. Yankees 4-2 in ALCS (MVP-Jose Altuve)
lost to Nationals 4-3 in World Series
d. #103 1948 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Michael Brantley)
d. #90 1949 Red Sox 3-0 (MVP-Yuli Gurriel)
d. #122 1999 Braves 3-0 (MVP- Carlos Correa/Josh Reddick)
d. #54 1954 Yankees 4-0 (MVP-Michael Brantley)
All-Stars: OF Michael Brantley, 3B Alex Bregman (2nd AL MVP) SP Gerrit Cole (2nd AL Cy Young) RP Ryan Pressly, OF George Springer, SP Justin Verlander (AL Cy Young)
Third straight 100 win season, best record in MLB. Everyone fired in offseason for sign stealing. First team ever to both lead in most pitching Ks and fewest hitting Ks.
Dodgers 104-58 (Pythag: 102-60) Mgr. Dave Roberts (2nd NL Mgr of Year)
Won NL West
d. Diamondbacks 3-0 in NLDS
d. Cubs 4-1 in NLCS (MVP: Chris Taylor/Justin Turner)
lost World Series 4-3 to Astros
d. #31. 1912 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Clayton Kershaw/Rich Hill)
d. #34 1952 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Chris Taylor)
d. #63 1948 Indians 3-0 (MVP-Clayton Kershaw)
d. #18 1944 Cardinals 4-2 (MVP-Yasiel Puig)
All-Stars: 1B Cody Bellinger (NL ROY) RP Kenley Jansen (5th NL Cy Young) SP Clayton Kershaw (2nd NL Cy Young) SS Corey Seager, 3B Justin Turner, SP Alex Wood
This was the Dodgers 5th straight NL West champion, they won more games than any LA team ever.
Dodgers Lineup
SS Seager (23) (LH) 126 5.2
1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143 4.1
3B Turner (32) 150 5.1
DH Barnes (27) 138 3.2
LF Taylor (26) 123 4.6
RF Puig (26) 119 3.5
C Grandal (28) (SH) 101 3.8
CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96 .2
2B Utley (38) (LH) 93 .95
P Kershaw (LH) (29) 179 6.1
Bench
CF Toles (25) (LH) 102 .4
CF Hernandez (25) 92 1.3
C Barnes (27) 138 3.2
2B Forsythe (30) 83 1.5
1B Gonzalez (35) (LH) 70
LF Granderson (36) (LH) 73
SP2 Wood (LH) (26) 152 3.8
SP3 Hill (37) (LH) 125 2.7
SP4 Maeda (29) 98
Platoons at C/2B/LF
Astros-AJ Hinch
RF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
DH Alvarez (22) (LH) 173 3.8
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
CF Marisnick (28) 80 1.4
P Verlander (36) 179 7.6
Bench
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
1B White (28) 72
3B Diaz (28) 114
2B Kemp (27) (LH) 88
SS Straw (24) 92
SP2 Cole (28) 185 7.5
SP3 Miley (32) (LH) 116 1.6
SP4 Greinke (35) 154
Reddick/Marisnick platoon.
Lineups:
C-Grandal
1B-Bellinger
2B-Altuve
SS-Seager
3B-Bregman
LF-Taylor
CF-Marisnick
RF-Springer
DH-Alvarez
SP1-Verlander
SP2-Cole
SP3-Push
SP4-Greinke
Pen: Push
WAR: Astros 8 Dodgers 4, that Astros pitching just is too strong, giving Houston a sizeable advantage; they also have the best position player (Bregman) and the better seed; they're also undefeated in the tournament, and 12-0 starts to seem less like a small sample and more like dominance. Houston's favored to beat the Dodgers just like they did in 2017.
GAME ONE
1st: The 1938 Yankees will face the 1998 Yankees for the pennant on one side of the bracket. 4 teams remain on the other side and the cut to two starts in Minute Maid Park. The 2019 Astros are, remarkably, 12-0 in this tournament, 4 of those wins belong to Justin Verlander, 36 year old RH, 21-6, 2.58. He's an All Star for the 8th time, won his 2nd Cy Young, led MLB in wins, WHIP, H/9 and led the AL in K/BB. In the 2017 World Series, Verlander had 2 starts against these Dodgers. 0-1, 3.75. Corey Seager singles. Cody Bellinger walks. Verlander gets one, Seager moving to third - and then Seager scores on an Austin Barnes sac fly. Dodgers 1 Astros 0
1st: Matching Justin Verlander's 4-0 is Clayton Kershaw, 4-0 on the tournament. 29 year old lefty, 18-4, 2.31. Kershaw made his 7th All Star team in 2017, finished 2nd in the Cy Young, led MLB in wins, led the NL in ERA, ERA+, K/BB. Kershaw got 2 starts and came out of the pen once in the 2017 World Series against Houston. 1-0, 402. Kershaw's a 3 time Cy Young Winner and won the MVP back in '14. Alex Bregman walks with 1 out. After the second out - Carlos Correa doubles Bregman home to tie the score. Jose Altuve follows with a triple and Houston takes the lead. Yuli Gurriel walks --- and Michael Brantley just lights this place on fire with a 3 run homer! Houston bangs out a shocking 5 first inning runs against the great Kershaw. Dodgers 1 Astros 5
2nd: Verlander is stunningly handed a 4 run lead in the second inning. 1-2-3
2nd: Kershaw was co-MVP for LA in round one, MVP in the Regional Semi - but he has to right the ship fast today. 1-2-3
3rd: Chase Utley singles. The 38 year old is platooning at second. .236/.324/.405. Utley's in his penultimate season, 6 time All Star. He played in 16 playoff series in his career, the 2017 World Series was the last. He went 0-6. 2 outs later he's standing on second and scores on a Justin Turner single. Dodgers 2 Astros 5
3rd: Carlos Correa, who doubled in the first, homers with one out here to add another for Houston. Correa's 24, .279/.358/.568. He hit .276 against the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series with 2 homers. Altuve triples in the first - and he homers here - Houston absolutely pounding Kershaw here in game 1 - this crowd out of its mind here at Minute Maid. Dodgers 2 Astros 7
4th: 1-2-3, Verlander strikes out the side. 6 Ks.
4th: Robinson Chironis walks, the catcher is 35, .238/.347/.443. He wasn't with the club back in 2017, so didn't face these Dodgers. That's all.
5th: Joc Pederson homers to left- we didn't expect a slugfest with this pitching matchup but the bats have really come through. The 25 year old is platooning in center, .212/.331/.407, He had a great World Series in '17, hit .333 with 3 homers. Dodgers 3 Astros 7
5th: Yordan Alvarez singles. The rookie DH is 22; .313/.412/.655. That's it.
6th: Justin Turner singles. The third baseman is 32, .322/.415/.530. He made his only All Star team this year and finished 8th in the MVP. The Astros totally tied him up in the 2017 World Series, he hit .160. That's all - 8 Verlander Ks.
6th: With 2 out - Jake Marisnick ends Kershaw's day with another Astros homer. Marisnick's platooning in CF, 28 years old, .233/.289/.411. He didn't play in the '17 World Series. 30 year old RH Yu Darvish comes on for LA, 3.44. The Astros just crushed the life out of him in the 2017 World Series. 0-2, 21.60. He ends it. Dodgers 3 Astros 8
7th: 1-2-3, 10 Verlander Ks.
7th: 1-2-3
8th: Verlander's day is over, 34 year old Will Harris comes on. 1.50 ERA. He threw 2 scoreless in the 2017 World Series. 1-2-3
8th: Jose Altuve homers again. 2 homers and a triple for Altuve in a monster performance in game one. The second sacker is 29, .298/.353/.550. He's a 6 time All Star. Won the ALCS MVP back in '17; didn't hit well in the World Series that year, .194 but did have 2 homers. Gurriel singles and then Darvish hits Brantley and that sure sounds like a message from the Dodgers - maybe to stop banging those trash cans. Darvish gets one, then a Marisnick groundout scores another. 32 year old RH Chris Hatcher enters, 4.66. Dodgers 3 Astros 10
9th: 35 year old RH Joe Smith comes on to finish this up. 1.80 --- 1-2-3
Dodgers 3
Astros 10
WP Verlander
LP Kershaw
Verlander goes 7, strikes out 10, walks one, and the Astros just thump Kershaw to take game one.
Bregman 1x
Alvarez 1x
Correa 2x/HR, double
Altuve/2 HR, double, 3 runs/3 RBI in game 1
Gurriel 2x
Brantley 2x/HR, 3 RBI game 1
Chironis 1x
Marisnick 1x/HR
Seager 1x
Bellinger 1x
Turner 2x
Pederson 1x/HR
Utley 2x
SS Seager (23) (LH) 126 5.2
1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143 4.1
3B Turner (32) 150 5.1
DH Barnes (27) 138 3.2
LF Taylor (26) 123 4.6
RF Puig (26) 119 3.5
C Grandal (28) (SH) 101 3.8
CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96 .2
2B Utley (38) (LH) 93 .95
SP2 Wood (LH) (26) 152 3.8
RF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
DH Alvarez (22) (LH) 173 3.8
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
CF Marisnick (28) 80 1.4
SP2 Cole (28) 185 7.5
GAME TWO
1st: The Astros extended their tournament record to 13-0 by banging Kershaw around in Game One and they come back today with Gerrit Cole. 28 year old RH, 20-5, 2.50. He made his 3rd All Star team this year, led the AL in ERA and FIP, led MLB in Ks, in ERA+, K/9. Cole was 2nd in the Cy Young, 10th in the MVP. He wasn't with the club in '17. Corey Seager leads off with a single. That's it.
1st: Alex Wood stands in the fire today; Houston hasn't been slowed in 4 rounds and they battered Kershaw in game one. 26 year old lefty. 16-3, 2.72. Wood made his only All Star team this year, led MLB in win/loss % and was 9th in the Cy Young. He was good in the World Series against the Astros, 1.17 in 7 innings. George Springer walks. That's it.
2nd: 1-2-3, Cole has 3 Ks
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Joc Pederson singles; he homered in game one and keeps it going. But that's all and Cole has struck out 5.
3rd: Michael Brantley hit that 3 run homer to set the pace in game one and reaches by error here. The LF is 32, .311/.372/.503. Brantley made his 4th All Star team this year. He wasn't with the club in 2017. Robinson Chirinos singles to put men on the corners. Wood gets one - and then Springer grounds out to score a run. And then Alex Bregman hits a 2 run jack and the Astros are off and running. Dodgers 0 Astros 3
4th: Justin Turner bombs a homer. Turner was co-MVP of the NLCS this year. Cole has struck out 7. Dodgers 1 Astros 3
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Pederson walks with one out. 8 Cole Ks.
5th: Chirinos is hit with one out - Brantley got hit late in game one and here's another Astro going down. That's all - just 2 Houston hits today.
6th: Cody Bellinger doubles. Bellinger's a 21 year old first baseman. .267/.352/.581. Bellinger was Rookie of the Year this season, 9th in the MVP. Struggled in the 2017 World Series, hitting .143. Justin Turner singles him home and the Dodgers draw closer. Austin Barnes walks, Cole gets an out and then Yasiel Puig doubles everyone home and LA takes their first lead of the series. Yasmani Grandal follows with a 2 run homer and look what's happened here - the Dodgers with a huge inning, rocking Cole. Will Harris is the new Astros arm. Pederson singles, and then Harris hits Seager and now there's some jawing going on between the two dugouts. These teams do not like each other - the Astros had a sign stealing system back in '17, the Dodgers feel they got cheated out of that World Series - they've already hit two Astros here is a receipt. It's awfully early in this series for this level of animosity - but these teams have a really, really negative history. Dodgers 6 Astros 3
6th: Bregman singles. The third baseman is 25. .296/.423/.592. Bregman hit .233 with 2 homers in the 2017 World Series. He made his second All Star team this year, led MLB in walks and was second in the MVP. Yordan Alvarez singles. Carlos Correa walks and Houston's loaded the bases with nobody out. Jose Altuve singles home 2. Wood gets one -- and then Michael Brantley does it again! Brantley hits another 3 run jack - Houston has retaken the lead - how do you stop this Houston Astros onslaught??? 31 year old RH Josh Fields enters for the Dodgers. 2.84. You had to expect to see Fields in this series - he was with the Astros from 2013 until the middle of '16 when they sent him to LA for Yordan Alvarez. Fields gave up 2 earned in the 2017 World Series and didn't get an out. He ends it. Dodgers 6 Astros 8
7th: Hector Rondon is the new Houston pitcher. 31 year old RH. 3.71. Rondon wasn't with the club in '17. 1-2-3
7th: George Springer walks. Springer's in RF today, 29, .292/.383/.591. Springer made his 3rd All Star team this year and finished 7th in the MVP. Pedro Baez enters for LA, 29 year old RH, 2.95. He didn't pitch in the 2017 World Series. He gets the next 3.
8th: Houston's 6 outs from taking game 2. Rondon gets two and then Pederson doubles. AJ Hinch decides to go to the pen. Hinch is 45, in what turns out to be his final year as Astros manager after 5 seasons following 2 with Arizona. Hinch was a big league catcher for 7 seasons. 30 year old RH Ryan Pressly comes on - 2.32. Pressly made his only All Star team this year and wasn't with the club back in '17. Chase Utley smashes a double and LA cuts the deficit to a run. Dodgers 7 Astros 8
8th: Jose Altuve hits his 3rd homer of the series to give Houston that run back. Yuli Gurriel singles. Houston's first baseman is 35. .298/.343/.541. He hit .214 with 2 homers back in the 2017 World Series. That's it. Dodgers 7 Astros 9
9th: Roberto Osuna is the Astros closer and he comes on to end it. 24 year old RH, 38 saves, 2.63. He led the AL in saves and wasn't with Houston 2 years prior.
Bellinger's first - he ropes a triple and it brings the tying run to the plate.
Justin Turner rocks a double and now the tying run is at second - the Dodgers storming here in the 9th.
Austin Barnes singles -- that puts men on the corners and still there is nobody out.
Chris Taylor singles - this Minute Maid crowd is stunned - LA has come back with 2 in the 9th to tie this up and still nobody is out.
Puig doubles -- it scores 2! That's 4 runs in for Houston and still no one is out.
Osuna's done - what a terrible outing - 28 year out RH Chris Devenski enters, 4.83. Devenski was an All Star back in '17. He had a 7.20 ERA in 5 innings pitched in the World Series in '17. He gets 2 -- and then Chase Utley hits a 2 run homer and that sets off a jubilant celebration in the Dodgers dugout - the Astros unbeaten streak is about to end - this series is headed to Dodger Stadium all tied at 1. What a 9th inning for these Dodgers, completely, completely changing this series. Dodgers 13 Astros 9
9th: Brandon Morrow gets the call to finish the game. 32 year old RH, 2.06. Morrow pitched in all 7 games of the 2017 World Series, for a total of 5 innings and 5 earned runs. Bregman singles with one out. Correa singles with 2 out. And that's all.
13 wins...and one loss.
The Dodgers score 6 runs in the 9th inning and, out of nowhere, this series has dramatically shifted.
Dodgers 13
Astros 9
WP Baez
LP Osuna
Seager 3x
Bellinger 3x/double, triple
Turner 5x/HR, double, 3 runs/3RBI in game 2
Pederson 4x/HR, double
Utley 4x/HR, double 3 game 2 RBI
Barnes 2x
Taylor 1x
Puig 2x/2 doubles, 4 game 2 RBI
Grandal 1x/HR
Bregman 4x/HR
Alvarez 2x
Correa 4x/HR, double
Altuve 5x/3HR, double, 3 runs/3 RBI in game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Gurriel 3x
Brantley 3x/2HR, 3 RBI game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Chironis 3x
Marisnick 1x/HR
Springer 2x
CF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
SP3 Miley (32) (LH) 116 1.6
3B Turner (32) 150 5.1
C Barnes (27) 138 3.2
1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143 4.1
LF Taylor (26) 123 4.6
RF Puig (26) 119 3.5
SS Seager (23) (LH) 126 5.2
CF Hernandez (25) 92 1.3
2B Forsythe (30) 83 1.5
SP3 Hill (37) (LH) 125 2.7
GAME THREE
1st: Feverish Dodger Stadium crowd; there's no one 2017 Dodger fans want to beat more than a modern Astros tean and after that 6 run 9th inning to take came 2, LA has all the hope they could possibly imagine. Rich Hill is a 37 year old lefty, 12-8, 3.32. 2 starts for Hill in the 2017 World Series, 2.08 ERA. 1-2-3
1st: 32 year old lefty Wade Miley for the Astros. 14-6, 3.98. 7 years prior he made his only All Star team. Miley was not with Houston in 2017. Bellinger walks with 2 out. Taylor singles and it ends here.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Kike Hernandez is in center today; he walks with one out. 25 years old. .215/.308/.421. He hit .231 in the 2017 World Series. That's it.
3rd: Chirinos walks. 2 outs later Springer singles and Bregman walks. Bases loaded. 2 out. Scoreless early in game 3. Hill escapes.
3rd: Miley gets 2 and then Bellinger lines a homer to right and LA is on the board. Astros 0 Dodgers 1
4th: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Hill
5th: Miley gets 2 -- and then Turner homers to left center - this old stadium is ratting, shaking to its core - the Dodgers score again. Turner now has 2 homers on the series. Barnes singles, that's it. Astros 0 Dodgers 2
6th: George Springer walks and Alex Bregman ties this thing up with one swing of the bat - a real bomb to dead center field - fired up Astros dugout as we're all even at 2. Hill gets an out and then Jose Altuve hits his 4th home run of the series, a shot to left and now Houston takes the lead. Astros 3 Dodgers 2
6th: Chris Taylor singles. The LF is 26, .288/.354/.496. He hit .222 in the '17 World Series. Puig walks and Seager singles Taylor home to tie the score. Runners on the corners with nobody out. Will Harris is on now - Miley's day is over - a Hernandez sac fly breaks the tie. Astros 3 Dodgers 4
7th: Josh Fields comes on against his former team; the Dodgers trying to find these last 9 outs. Josh Reddick singles with one out. Reddick's making his first start today; the RF is 32, .275/.319/.409. He is very familiar with these Dodgers, having spent the back end of the 2016 season in LA. He hit .167 against his old team in the 2017 World Series. After the second out he's at second base -- and he scores the tying run on a Springer base knock. Bregman walks and that's it for Fields - Pedro Baez comes on with 2 on and 2 out in a tie game. He escapes. Astros 4 Dodgers 4
7th: Hector Rondon for the Astros. He gets 2 - then Barnes singles and Bellinger walks. Chris Taylor breaks the tie with a base hit - the Dodgers regain the lead. Astros 4 Dodgers 5
8th: Baez gets two, then walks Brantley but that's all.
8th: 30 year old RH Ryan Pressly for the Astros. 2.32. He made his only All Star team this year and was not on the team in 2017. Seager singles and an out later Logan Forsythe walks. Can the Dodgers add insurance? Andrew Toles comes off the bench - he's 25, left handed and he singles home a run. Pressly hits Turner - it ends his day, Chris Devenski comes on - Austin Barnes singles home 2 more and LA is about to take game 3. The Dodgers were dead and buried and are about to take game 3. Bellinger grounds out, scoring a run, A big inning for LA Astros 4 Dodgers 9
9th: Brandon Morrow for LA. 1-2-3
Astros 4
Dodgers 9
WP Baez
LP Rondon
This thing has turned around; LA scores 6 in the 9th to take game 2 and they go home and win game 3, holding Houston to 5 hits.
Seager 5x
Bellinger 6x/double, triple, HR
Turner 7x/2HR, double, 3 runs/3RBI in game 2
Pederson 4x/HR, double
Utley 4x/HR, double 3 game 2 RBI
Barnes 5x
Taylor 4x
Puig 3x/2 doubles, 4 game 2 RBI
Grandal 1x/HR
Hernandez 1x
Forsythe 1x
Toles 1x
Bregman 7x/2HR
Alvarez 2x
Correa 4x/HR, double
Altuve 6x/4HR, double, 3 runs/3 RBI in game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Gurriel 3x
Brantley 4x/2HR, 3 RBI game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Chironis 4x
Marisnick 1x/HR
Springer 5x
Reddick 1x
CF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
SP4 Greinke (35) 154
SS Seager (23) (LH) 126 5.2
1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143 4.1
3B Turner (32) 150 5.1
LF Taylor (26) 123 4.6
RF Puig (26) 119 3.5
C Grandal (28) (SH) 101 3.8
CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96 .2
2B Utley (38) (LH) 93 .95
SP4 Maeda (29) 98
GAME FOUR
1st: Kenta Maeda stands on the Dodger Stadium mound, 27 outs away from moving the Dodgers to a 3-1 lead. 29 years old. The only RH in the Dodger rotation. 13-6, 4.22. Pitched out of the pen in the 2017 World Series, 5 innings, 1.59. He gets one and then Alex Bregman doubles. That's 8 times on base, leading both squads. After the second out Carlos Correa singles Bregman home. And then Jose Altuve hits his 5th home run of the series - the Astros come out blasting away in game 4. Astros 3 Dodgers 0
1st: Zach Greinke is staked to the lead against his former team. 35 year old RH, 8-1, 3.02. Greinke was here in Los Angeles from 2013-15, finished in the top 10 for the Cy Young all 3 seasons, his Dodger record was 51-15. This year, he came over to Houston at the deadline, won a total of 18 games between the Astros and Dbacks. He made his 6th All Star squad this season. Greinke won a Cy Young a decade ago with the Royals. Bellinger singles with one out, that's it.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Brantley singles with 2 out, that's all.
3rd: Joc Pederson walks. Chase Utley's back in the lineup today and he singles; Maeda grounds into a double play but it scores a run. Seager singles with 2 out - and Bellinger keeps it going with a run scoring double down the left field line. Turner then smashes a double - can you believe it? The Dodgers plate 3 against Greinke and tie the score. Taylor then singles home the go ahead run - big, big inning for LA. Astros 3 Dodgers 4
4th: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Maeda - huge roar from the LA faithful.
5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Greinke, 5 Ks
6th: Maeda hits Correa with 2 out - you don't think there's intent in this spot - but there's been at least one hit batsman in each game in this series and the blood is bad, full on bad between these clubs entering the series. It will not take much for this to boil over.
6th: 1-2-3, 10 in a row and 6 Ks for the ex-Dodger Greinke.
7th: Maeda's done - and you know what, now it makes a lot of sense that maybe Maeda wanted to get someone before his day ended. Bad, bad blood - the Dodgers feel cheated out of this World Series and the field is thick with animosity. Josh Fields now against his old teammates. 1-2-3 and the Dodgers are 6 outs away from their third straight win.
7th: Yasmani Grandal is behind the plate and he doubles. 28 year old switch hitter. .247/.308/.459. Grandal was 0-3 in the '17 World Series. He moves to third on an out and scores on an Utley sac fly. Astros 3 Dodgers 5
8th: Springer singles with one out and that's it for Fields - Dave Roberts doesn't hesitate, he goes to the pen. Roberts is 45, in his second season of 5 (and counting) helming the Dodgers. Roberts had a 10 year big league career, 3 of which were spent in LA. Pedro Baez comes on; he ends it. LA is 3 outs from a commanding lead in this series.
8th: Will Harris now replacing Greinke. He walks Turner with 2 out and Taylor singles. Big spot - if LA can get anything here that sure feels like a dagger. They do - Yasiel Puig doubles, it scores 2 -- just a thunderous celebration as LA is 3 outs from a 3-1 lead. Puig's 26, .263/.346/.487. Puig hit .148 in the '17 World Series. Astros 3 Dodgers 7
9th: Baez stays on - Kenley Jansen, Dodger closer, has yet to appear in this series. Correa walks; Baez gets one and then Gurriel doubles. Correa holding at third. Chirinos doubles both men home and now it's 7-5.
Gotta be Jansen, right? It is. 29 year old RH, 41 saves, 1.32. Jansen was an All Star in '17, led the NL in saves, 5th in the Cy Young. Jansen was 0-1 in the 2017 World Series, 3.12 in 8 IP.
Reddick grounds to second - Utley throws to first. 2 outs, man on third, Dodgers up 7-5.
28 year old right handed pinch hitter Aledmys Diaz comes to the plate for Houston - can he somehow come through against Jansen?
Diaz doubles. Chironis scores and now it's 7-6. Back in game 2 - Houston took a 2 run lead into the 9th and lost - the Dodgers took a 4 run lead into the 9th and now it is 7-6, 2 are out and the tying run stands in scoring position. Jansen gets 2 strikes on Springer - Houston 1 strike away from going down 3 games to 1...
AND GEORGE SPRINGER HITS A 2 RUN HOMER! GEORGE SPRINGER HITS A 2 RUN HOMER AND IT'S 8-7 ASTROS!
This crowd, roaring a pitch before goes dead silent, like the lights have been turned off in their hearts - George Springer hits a 2 out 2 run homer and the Astros have crawled out of their graves. Astros 8 Dodgers 7
9th: Roberto Osuna returns; can he redeem his game 2 implosion?
Pderson flies to right center.
CHASE UTLEY HOMERS TO TIE THE SCORE!
Huge roar at Dodger Stadium - the Astros score 5 to take the lead and once again, down to their final outs, LA comes back against Astros closer Osuna and ties the game - curtain call for the 38 year old Utley, lost his job by season's end - but he has really hit the ball well in this series and here he ties the score with a huge, huge 9th inning home run.
Osuna gets the next two and we head to the 10th. Astros 8 Dodgers 8
10th: Brandon Morrow for the Dodgers. 1-2-3
10th: Osuna stays on - gets 2 and then gives up a Taylor base hit. Hector Rondon now gets the call for Houston. Winning run on base. Puig singles. Taylor goes all the way to third.
Winning run on third base. The Dodgers are 90 feet from taking a commanding lead.
Grandal grounds to Correa -- he steps on the bag -- and Houston is out of the inning.
11th: Morrow gets 2 - 22 year old Kyle Tucker comes off the bench, he's a left handed bat, just 67 at bats this season -- and he singles. That ends Morrow's day - 27 year old RH Ross Stripling gets the call. 3.75. And on Stripling's first pitch - Tucker steals second. AJ Hinch has the guts of a burglar - Tucker stole 5 bases this year - but with 2 outs in the 11th inning, Hinch sends him. And then George Springer singles to left -- Tucker rounds third -- play at the plate - Taylor's throw ---
Tucker's safe. Safe. Springer does it - Springer hit that homer in the 9th and now has the single to score Tucker here in the 11th. Roberts orders the intentional walk of Bregman - and the inning ends. Astros 9 Dodgers 8
11th: Ryan Pressly for the Astros.
Pederson grounds to first.
Utley comebacker to the mound, over to first.
Logan Forsythe off the bench - 2 outs - grounds to short -- Correa over to first. Ballgame.
An epic here in Dodger Stadium. Just as LA scores 6 in the 9th to take game 2 - Houston came up with 5 in the 9th, including a down to their final strike Springer home run, LA then tied the game in their own half of the 9th on an Utley home run - but Houston did it in the 11th, a 2 out pinch single by Kyle Tucker - a gutsy stolen base -- a play at the plate on another Springer base hit and Houston has tied this series at 2 games each.
In game 5 - Verlander v Kershaw.
Astros 9
Dodgers 8
WP Rondon
LP Stripling
Bregman 6x/HR, double
Alvarez 2x
Correa 7x/HR, double
Altuve 6x/4HR, double, 3 runs/3 RBI in game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Gurriel 4x/double
Brantley 4x/2HR, 3 RBI game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Chironis 4x/double
Marisnick 1x/HR
Springer 5x/HR, 3 game 4 RBI
Diaz double
Seager 6x
Bellinger 8x/2double, triple, HR
Turner 9x/2HR, 2double, 3 runs/3RBI in game 2
Pederson 5x/HR, double
Utley 6x/2HR, double 3 game 2 RBI
Barnes 5x
Taylor 7x
Puig 5x/3 doubles, 4 game 2 RBI
Grandal 2x/HR, double
Hernandez 1x
Forsythe 1x
Toles 1x
RF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
CF Marisnick (28) 80 1.4
P Verlander (36) 179 7.6
SS Seager (23) (LH) 126 5.2
LF Bellinger (21) (LH)143 4.1
3B Turner (32) 150 5.1
C Barnes (27) 138 3.2
CF Taylor (26) 123 4.6
RF Puig (26) 119 3.5
2B Utley (38) (LH) 93 .95
1B Gonzalez (35) (LH) 70
P Kershaw (LH) (29) 179 6.1
GAME FIVE
1st: Clayton Kershaw has 3 Cy Youngs and stands on his home mound in Game 5; this series deadlocked. Kershaw's been great in the tournament but really got banged around in game 1. He walks George Springer, hero of game 4, to lead off - that's all.
1st: Justin Verlander has 2 Cy Youngs and is 5-0 in the tournament. He strikes out two, walks Justin Turner and that's all. Turner's reached base 10 times, leading both squads.
2nd: Yuli Gurriel hits the first pitch over the center field fence and the Astros go out on top. Fired up Astros dugout - Houston takes the lead. Astros 1 Dodgers 0
2nd: Yasiel Puig walks - and Chase Utley -- Chase Utley stays white hot - hitting a 2 run homer to center - Utley hit 8 homers all season and has 3 in the series - another curtain call for Utley - the Dodgers are on top. Astros 1 Dodgers 2
3rd: Verlander reaches by error -- And Here's George Springer Again! - he hit the huge home run in the 9th inning to save Houston, then had the game winning base hit in the 11th -- here he hits a 2 run homer, to left center - the Astros are not to be denied and are back out on top. What a series, What A Series! Bregman singles - and after an out -- Jose Altuve hits his 5th Home Run of the Series! It's happening to Kershaw again - two two run homers here in the third. Kershaw gets the second out -- and then Michael Brantley homers to right! Brantley hits his third home run of the series - an absolute blast to right field - three Houston home runs in the inning, four on the day. Chirinos walks, that's all - but what a huge inning for these Astros, 3 home runs off Kershaw. Astros 6 Dodgers 2
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Springer singles with one out. That's all.
4th: Taylor singles with one out, Verlander has struck out 5.
5th: Carlos Correa homers - that's 5 - 5 Astros homers on the day off Clayton Kershaw and they are rolling once more. Gurriel singles an out later, that's it. Astros 7 Dodgers 2
5th: 1-2-3, 7 Verlander Ks.
6th: 1-2-3, Kershaw eating up some innings.
6th: Turner's hit with one out - Turner is slow getting up - Turner's day is going to be over here, Kike Hernandez comes in to run for him. There is some real anger in this stadium right now. Barnes singles. After the second out Puig walks and it loads the bases - Dodgers have a crack here - Utley singles to score a run. Astros 7 Dodgers 3
7th: Josh Fields is the new LA pitcher. 1-2-3
7th: Andrew Toles hits for Fields - single. That's all.
8th: Pedro Baez for LA. Chrinos singles with 2 out, that's it.
8th: Verlander exits - poised to go 6-0 for the tournament and beat Kershaw again. Will Harris comes on. 1-2-3
9th: Baez gets two - and then Alex Bregman puts a cherry on top of this game 5 sundae with another Houston home run. Yu Darvish is brought on - Correa singles. Altuve singles. Gurriel walks, And then Michael Brantley puts a whole other sundae on top of this sundae with a Grand Slam! Brantley has two homers today - another huge game - and we will be heading to Houston for game 6. Chris Hatcher ends the inning - they are streaming to the exits. Astros 12 Dodgers 3
9th: Harris stays on - Puig singles, Joe Smith gets the call - and he ends the game.
Astros 12
Dodgers 3
WP Verlander
LP Kershaw
The rubber met the road here in Game 5 - these Astros bats -- for the second time in the series - just obliterate Kershaw and the series moves back to Houston; the Astros a game from advancing.
Bregman 8x/2HR, double
Alvarez 2x
Correa 9x/2HR, double
Altuve 8x/5HR, double, 3 runs/3 RBI in game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Gurriel 7x/double, HR
Brantley 6x/4HR, 3 RBI game 1, 3 game 2 RBI, 5 Game 5 RBI
Chironis 6x/double
Marisnick 1x/HR
Springer 8x/2HR, 3 game 4 RBI
Diaz double
Seager 6x
Bellinger 8x/2double, triple, HR
Turner 11x/2HR, 2double, 3 runs/3RBI in game 2
Pederson 5x/HR, double
Utley 8x/3HR, double 3 game 2 RBI, 3 game 5 RBI
Barnes 6x
Taylor 8x
Puig 8x/3 doubles, 4 game 2 RBI
Grandal 2x/HR, double
Hernandez 1x
Forsythe 1x
Toles 2x
SS Seager (23) (LH) 126 5.2
1B Bellinger (21) (LH)143 4.1
3B Turner (32) 150 5.1
DH Barnes (27) 138 3.2
LF Taylor (26) 123 4.6
RF Puig (26) 119 3.5
C Grandal (28) (SH) 101 3.8
CF Pederson (25) (LH) 96 .2
2B Utley (38) (LH) 93 .95
SP2 Wood (LH) (26) 152 3.8
CF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
DH Alvarez (22) (LH) 173 3.8
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
SP2 Cole (28) 185 7.5
GAME SIX
1st: The 1938 Yankees and the 1998 Yankees are both safely in the final four and this sold out Minute Maid crowd is ready for the 2019 Astros to join them. Gerrit Cole on the hill. Bellinger singles with one out, he's reached 9 times - but it ends there.
1st: Can Alex Wood give the Dodgers a stalwart pitching effort today to force a game 7? Bregman singles with 1 out. He's reached 9 times. That's it.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Jose Altuve homers to right center! That's 6 - 6 home runs in as many games in this series - Astros players bound out of the dugout holding up 6 fingers as Altuve bounds around the bases. On the next pitch Yuli Gurriel homers and it's 2-0. That's Gurriel's 2nd home run of the series. Brantley walks, that's it. Dodgers 0 Astros 2
3rd: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Cole.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: With 2 out - Turner gets hit again. Turner starts shouting at Cole - Cole shouting back - Chironis standing between them - the players from both clubs spill onto the field - a lot of anger - a lot of shouting - but the stakes overcome the emotion and everything is settled down before going to blows. Cole now has 7 Ks
4th: Altuve wins the MVP - homering to dead center -- it's his 7th home run of the series - the Altuve chants deafen - another curtain call - and now the Astros are feeling it. Dodgers 0 Astros 3
5th: 1-2-3, 9 Ks
5th: 1-2-3
6th: Seager singles with 2 out. Just the 2nd Dodger hit of the day. Cole now has 11 Ks.
6th: Correa walks with one out and that's all.
7th: 1-2-3 -- Cole comes up big in game 6 and Houston is 6 outs from advancing.
7th: The Dodger coaching staff decides to go to the pen. The bench coach is 55 year old Bob Geren. He managed the A's for 5 seasons. There are 2 hitting coaches, 45 year old Tim Hyers, who played in 133 big league games in the 90s and 52 year old Turner Ward, who was a big league OF for a dozen years. The pitching coach is 63 year old Rick Honeycutt. He pitched in the bigs for 21 seasons, 2 time All Star, won a World Championship. The bullpen coach is 39 year old Josh Bard, 10 years as a big league catcher. The first base coach is 41 year old George Lombard, who played 144 big league games. And the 3rd base coach is 41 year old Chris Woodward, who would leave LA to become the Rangers manager in 2019.
Josh Fields enters against his former club. Did I say Altuve was the MVP -- Michael Brantley hits his 5th home run of the series - Minute Maid is fully celebrating now - we are about to reach our final series of the Elite 8.
Chrinos walks, and Josh Reddick gets his first hit of the series - a 2 run shot - it's done - it's all done now. 6-0 Houston. That's it for Fields - Yu Darvish is back on. He gets one, Bregman singles, and gets another. And then one more Astros home run -- it's almost like they know what pitches are coming -- Carlos Correa hits his 3rd homer of the series and it's now 8-0. Chris Hatcher ends the inning for LA. Dodgers 0 Astros 8
8th: Puig walks, an out later Joc Pederson doubles him home. Utley singles home Pederson. That's all. Dodgers 2 Astros 8
8th: Chirinos singles with one out. That's all.
9th: The Astro coaches decide to bring in Will Harris to end the series. Joe Espada is the 43 year old bench coach. He never reached above AAA. There are 2 hitting coaches, 40 year old Alex Cintron who played 9 big league seasons. 30 year old Troy Snitker who played 65 games in the low minors. The pitching coach is 70 year old Brent Strom. He pitched for 5 seasons in the 70s. The bullpen coach is 40 year old Josh Miller, he didn't make it above AAA. Don Kelly is the 39 year old first base coach. He was in the bigs for 9 seasons. The third base coach is 61 year old Gary Pettis. he won 5 Gold Gloves in an 11 season career.
1-2-3 and it's over.
Huge celebration on the Astros mound - huge celebration in this stadium - huge celebration throughout the city of Houston -- the 2019 Astros are headed to the Final Four!
Bregman 10x/2HR, double
Correa 11x/3HR, double
Altuve 10x/7HR, double, 3 runs/3 RBI in game 1, 3 game 2 RBI
Gurriel 8x/double, 2HR
Brantley 8x/5HR, 3 RBI game 1, 3 game 2 RBI, 5 Game 5 RBI
Springer 8x/2HR, 3 game 4 RBI
6 different Astros had multiple homers in the series - Altuve and Brantley are going to share this MVP, they combined for a dozen homers, both had multiple 3 RBI games - they lead the thunderous Houston bats into the Final Four.
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