Houston Astros Win 1st AL Pennant; 1st Team in MLB History to Represent Both Leagues in World Series

The Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 4-0 in Game 7 of the ALCS to win their first AL pennant.

The Astros are also the first team in MLB history to have represented both the AL and NL in the World Series. Houston went to the World Series in 2005, but were swept by the Chicago White Sox.

There was no sweep in this series. After getting off to a 2-0 lead, the Astros lost three straight games in the Bronx and returned to Houston facing elimination. After winning Game 6 with 7 strong scoreless innings from Justin Verlander and 7 runs, it came down to tonight. 

The Yankees had future Hall of Famer C.C. Sabathia against journeyman Charlie Morton for the Astros. On paper it looked like a mismatch. But Morton rose to the occasion pitching five scoreless innings while Sabathia got knocked out in the fourth inning after surrendering a home run to Astros DH Evan Gattis.

The Astros would add three runs in the fifth inning off Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle via a solo home run by Jose Altuve and a two run double by ex-Yankees catcher Brian McCann.

Lance McCullers, Jr. came on in the sixth and pitched even more brilliantly striking out six batters over four innings with a little help from center fielder George Springer who leaped over left fielder Marwin Gonzalez to rob Yankees first baseman Greg Bird of a hit. 

Bird would also make the final out flying out in a far more routine manner to Springer. But that out would be anything but routine as the Astros jumped for joy.

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander was bestowed with the ALCS MVP. In 16 innings pitched, Verlander gave up only one run and won two of their four games. 

If Dallas Keuchel hadn't pushed Astros management to get Verlander there's a very good chance they don't get past the Yankees much less make their organizational goal set many years ago to win the World Series in 2017.

Speaking of the Yankees, I hope the team isn't foolish enough to impersonate the Washington Nationals and not renew manager Joe Girardi's contract. Few people (other than myself) expected the Yankees to get to this level in 2017. Getting rid of Girardi would send the young Yankees team the wrong message.

The Astros will travel to Los Angeles to begin the 2017 World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday night. The Dodgers will be favored to win, but the country will be rooting for a city that needs all the good news that it can get after a summer of discontent.