After being frustrated in the Finals in 2019 and 2021, the Houston Astros got their hands on the World Series again with a 4-1 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.
Yordan Alvarez ended the playoffs as he started them, as a hero. Author of brilliant performances in the first round against the Seattle Mariners, the outfielder repeated his exploits. His long three-run drive in the sixth inning lifted the crowd and propelled the Astros to the stars.
It was Phillies starter Zack Wheeler who put all these men on the trails. He gave way to the mound after hitting Martin Maldonado and allowing a single to Jeremy Pena. His replacement, Jose Alvarado, almost automatically awarded the home run to Alvarez. Shortly after, Christian Vazquez added home favorites in advance with a paid single.
The entire 43,000 crowd at Minute Maid Park spent the ninth inning on their feet to watch reliever Ryan Pressly make the save, his sixth of the playoffs. He allowed a hit for JT Realmuto, but forced the dangerous Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos to kick balls easily recovered by the outfielders.
Framber Valdez (3-0) was the winning gunner of this historic meeting, he who retired nine men on strikes in six innings of work. His great performance was only overshadowed by the home run awarded to Kyle Schwarber in that famous sixth round.
For Dusty
It is also a first triumph as manager for Dusty Baker, who had not been rewarded with a title despite three decades in major league baseball and two appearances in the Finals.
He came close last year when his Astros lost in six games to the Atlanta Braves. In 2019, it was head coach AJ Hinch who led the Texas squad to the Finals, where the Washington Nationals won the World Series in seven games.
The Astros’ last crowning, controversial due to a history of cheating, dates back to 2017. Under Hinch, Houston celebrated its first Major League Baseball champions.
This is also a rare title earned at home. Since the Boston Red Sox in 2013, every major league champion has been crowned on the road.
Pena, the 25-year-old freshman, was voted World Series MVP. He is the only recruit to have accomplished this feat. The shortstop specialist’s name was on everyone’s lips during the Astros’ playoff run, having received the same honor in the American League final against the New York Yankees.