Last week was one of the rare times that baseball was the prominent sport across America’s news stations and public discourse. The 2017 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers, representing the National League, and the Houston Astros, representing the American League, was undeniably one of the best playoff series of all time. It was a back and forth series that the Houston Astros ultimately won.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had home field advantage and started the series by protecting it. Dodger lead-off hitter and center-fielder, Chris Taylor, sent the very first pitch from the Astros’ ace, Dallas Keuchel, into the stands. Taylor’s solo home-run was the perfect opening to a wild series that was full of dramatic home runs. In the fourth inning, Astros third baseman Alex Bregman tied the game up with a homerun of his own. Justin Turner, the Dodgers third baseman, answered Bregman. He hit a two run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. These were the last runs as the Dodgers held on for a three to one victory.
The second game of the series was even more exciting. The Dodgers had a three to two lead going into the top of the ninth inning. The series shifted when Astros left-fielder Marwin Gonzalez hit a homerun off the Dodgers closer, Kenley Jansen. This was Jansen’s first blown save in the playoffs. The Astros continued to gain momentum when they scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning. However, the positive energy quickly evaporated. With the Dodgers down to their final out in the bottom half of the tenth, Enrique Hernandez tied the game at five to five. George Springer countered this rally and hit a two-run home run in the next half inning. The Dodgers were able to score one run, but failed to tie the score. The Astros tied the series by winning game two by a score of seven to six in eleven innings.
The series moved down to Houston for the third game. The Astros used the energy from the crowd to jump out to an early lead. They scored four runs in the second inning and never looked back. The Dodgers starter, Yu Darvish, made the shortest start of his career and only lasted one and two-thirds innings. The final score was five to three and the Astros took a two games to one lead over the Dodgers. By end of this game, twelve different players had hit home runs in the series.
The Dodgers stayed resilient in spite of a frustrating game two and three. The game was a pitching and defensive masterpiece until the ninth inning. The score was tied at one going into the last frame. The heart of the Dodgers order was able to damage and score five runs in the top of the ninth inning. Joc Pederson took full advantage of his role as designated hitter and hit a three run home run. The Astros scored one in the bottom of the inning, but it was not enough. The Dodgers took the win six to two and even the series at two games a-piece.
The entire season now came down to a final three game series. Game five did not disappoint.
The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Dallas Keuchel to start the game. They scored three runs in the first inning. The Dodgers had a lead until the bottom of the fourth inning. Yuli Gurriel tied the game with a three run homerun. The fifth inning was incredible. The two teams combined for six runs. Cody Bellinger hit a three run home run for the Dodgers and Jose Altuve hit a three-run home run for the Astros. The game was tied at seven after five innings. The Dodgers took short lived one run lead in the seventh inning. George Spring led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo home run. The Astros added in three runs later that inning, including two via a Carlos Correa home run. Houston took a three run lead into the ninth inning. Yasiel Puig hit a two run home run and with two outs Chris Taylor tied the game at 12 each. The Astros won the seesaw affair in the bottom of the tenth inning. Alex Bregman brought in Derek Fisher with a walk-off single.
The Los Angeles Dodgers returned home, but were facing elimination. George Springer’s solo homerun in the third inning was the first run of the game. The Dodgers scored two runs in the sixth inning to take the lead. They added one run when Joc Pederson hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. The Dodgers were able to hold on to the three to one lead for the rest of the game. They forced a decisive game seven.
Unfortunately, game seven might have been the least exciting game. The Astros jumped out to a five run lead by the second inning. George Springer hit another homerun. While the Dodgers’ bullpen did not allow any runs in relief of Darvish, their offense was unable to overcome the damage already done. Dodgers only scored one run and lost the game five to one. The Houston Astros won this game and their first ever World Series. Springer was awarded with the 2017 World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
Not only was this World Series incredibly entertaining, but also it gave fans a sneak peek at the future of baseball. Now, more than ever, teams are relying on boom-or-bust players. Offensively, power hitting is the most important tool. The most important aspect of most young pitchers’ game is their velocity. While some might say that game five, the 13–12 Astros win, is great for the future of baseball, I have to disagree. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I was more impressed by the pitching in games six and seven. Regardless of whether you love the long ball or pitchers’ duels, there is no denying that the 2017 World Series is one for the memory books.
Do not worry, Major League Baseball will not be gone for that long. All 30 teams will open their 2018 seasons on March 29th. Until then, we will have to survive on trades and free-agency.
