It Took 18 Innings But Astros Sweep Mariners; Will Play in 6th Straight ALCS

The Houston Astros have swept the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS, but the Mariners didn't make it easy for them. It took 18 innings for the Astros to prevail 1-0 in Game 3. Houston's only run came on a HR by Jeremy Pena. 

This is not the first time the Astros have played an 18 inning game in the post-season. They did so in 2005 when they won the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves winning 7-6 on a walk-off HR by Chris Burke. The Astros would go on to win the NL pennant that year only to be swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series. 

Alas the NL is a distant memory for the Astros. Having swept the Mariners, the Astros advance to their sixth consecutive ALCS. Houston will play either the Cleveland Guardians or the New York Yankees. Their series is currently tied at one game apiece with the Yankees leading the Guardians 5-3 heading into the 9th inning of Game 3. Should the Yankees prevail in the ALDS it will be the third time there has been an Astros-Yankees ALCS in the past six years. The Astros won both matchups in 2017 and 2019.