The Lead Sports look back at the 2017 World Series win by the Houston Astros…..
from www.theleadsports.com
THE FIRST
Apologies for the predictable title, but it seemed like our only option. For the first time in franchise history (55 years) the Houston Astros are World Series champs. It took seven games against a fantastic Dodgers team but in the end, the Astros stars showed up and the Dodgers didn’t. George Springer hit his fifth home run of the series, a two-run shot off Yu Darvish that made it 5-0 and effectively ended the game in the second inning. Perhaps nothing better personifies the Astros resilience than Springer, who overcame an 0-4, four-strikeout performance in Game 1 to come back and win MVP…
OUT OF STEAM, OUT OF IDEAS
After praising Dave Roberts yesterday, we have to dump on him a little bit today. First off, putting Cody Bellinger in the four hole was an awful move. He’s made less contact this series than a germaphobe in a public restroom and Joc Pederson has been on fire. Swap those two in the order and it could be a different game. We thought starting Darvish was a mistake going in. He struggles in the first inning and you had Wood and, as it turns out, Kershaw available. Fine, he decided to go with Darvish. But then inexplicably stuck with him after he got into immediate trouble and let him face Springer for a second time, which proved to be the dagger. Roberts was out coached across the board by A.J. Hinch…
SETTLING DUST
Both of these teams had incredible seasons and deserved to be playing in Game 7 of the World Series. While Games 1-6 delivered seemingly endless drama, it was almost fitting that the final act was a bit of a dud. The Dodgers simply ran out of magic. Credit some gritty performances by Astros pitchers, including Charlie Morton who turned in four brilliant innings of relief to earn the W. The city of Houston desperately needed a hero and they got 25 of them. Congrats to the Astros on a year for the ages…