(Houston) Dusty Baker has been in this position before.
Posted yesterday at 8:00 p.m.
It’s hard not to think of the last time the Houston Astros manager led 3-2 at the World Series, as his team returned home to play Game 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies at a title win.
In 2002, Baker’s San Francisco Giants entered Game 6 of the World Series against the Anaheim Angels with the same lead. On the road, the Giants squandered a five-point lead to lose 6-5 and saw the Angels claim the championship with a 4-1 victory in Game 7.
Twenty years later, on his third World Series stint, Baker is still chasing that elusive championship after a quarter-century as manager in the Majors. As a player, he made three baseball finals with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning a ring in 1981.
“I don’t think about the situation I’m in,” Baker said of his title chase. I’m just taking a day off because if you always think about certain things, it would drive you crazy. »
Under AJ Hinch as manager, the Astros also led the World Series 3-2 in 2019, but lost in seven games to the Washington Nationals.
The 73-year-old Baker also insisted he didn’t spend time worrying about his future. His contract expires after the playoffs.
I just learned over time that you just live your life, you try to do the right things, you seize the moment and enjoy it as much as you can, he explained. You enjoy this adventure. I always thought that when I’m supposed to win, I’m going to win. And when I’m supposed to sign a contract, I’ll sign a contract. But in the meantime, I’m just going to go out and enjoy what I’ve been doing for a long time.
Dusty Baker, Houston Astros manager
The Astros took the lead in the series by winning the last two games. Cristian Javier and three relievers combined for the second game without a run or hit in World Series history, in Game 4. Justin Verlander then picked up his first career World Series win, thanks to a big home run from rookie Jeremy Peña and a terrific catch from Chas McCormick in the ninth inning.
Despite a two-game losing streak, Phillies manager Rob Thomson isn’t worried about his team. After all, it was the same group, led by stars Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, that overcame a 22-29 start to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
“We played some really good baseball,” Thomson said. I don’t think there is any need to panic. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing and focus on the little things. I always tell them, focus on the little things and big things will happen. »
The Astros will send left-wing Framber Valdez to the mound as the Phillies turn to Zack Wheeler on Saturday. It will be the same confrontation as in the second game, won 5-2 by the troupe of Houston.
The last team to win the World Series on home soil was the Boston Red Sox in 2013. The Astros watched the Nationals celebrate a title on their home turf in 2019 and again last season as the Braves d Atlanta have won in six games.
“It’s going to be a great, great crowd,” Baker said. They are with us. The city is with us. Tickets are scarce because suddenly everyone wants tickets. We could probably accommodate a few hundred thousand spectators if we had the space. »