Astros Win World Series, George Springer Named MVP

The 2017 World Series will be remembered, among other things, for the record number of home runs (25 total between the two clubs) and some poor pitching performances. But the Houston Astros pitching was excellent in decisive Game 7, where five pitchers allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers a total of just one run and six hits as the Astros cruised to a 5-1 win on November 1st  at Dodger Stadium. It was the Astros first World Series championship in the franchise’s 56 year history.

The Dodgers left 10 runners on base, and were just 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position as the Astros slammed the door time and time again. Charlie Morton, who pitched the last four innings, got the win for Houston, while Dodger Yu Darvish gave up four runs in 1 2/3 innings and took the loss. Darvish was 0-2 with an ERA of 21.60 in the World Series, which will not enhance his value on the free agent market.

Darvish gave up a home run to George Springer in the second inning, and it was the Houston outfielder’s fifth homer of the series, tying Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and Chase Utley for the record for most homers in a single World Series. All told, Springer was 11 for 29 (.379) with three doubles and seven RBIs to go with his five homers. Springer’s 29 total bases was also a World Series record. Not bad considering he was 0-4 with four strikeouts in Game 1. Springer was named the Series Most Valuable Player.

In 2013, the Astros were just 51-111 in the regular season. Four years later, they were 101-61 in the regular season and World Series champs, a remarkable turnaround and something to celebrate in a city that was hammered by flooding from Hurricane Harvey a couple of months ago.