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Astros beat Yankees to advance to World Series in 12 years

Astros beat Yankees to advance to World Series in 12 years

Posted October. 23, 2017 07:47,   

Updated October. 23, 2017 08:57

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The Huston Astros beat the New York Yankees to advance to the World Series for the first time in 12 years, and are set to have a showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers to vie for the title.

Houston defeated New York 4-0 in Game 7 of the American League Championships Series (ALCS) at Minute Maid Park in Texas on Saturday (U.S. time). The team was able to secure the win thanks to, more than anything, robust pitching performances by Charles Morton and Lance McCullers. The two pitchers effectively kept Yankees’ batters at bay by giving only three hits and no run during nine innings, while Dodgers’ batters Evan Gattis and Jose Altuve hit a solo homer each.

With four wins and three losses, Houston has advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2005, and will face Los Angeles to vie for the championship. Since its foundation in 1962, the Houston has never acquired the World Series title.

The best performing player in this year’s ALCS was Justin Verlander who moved to the team lately. Verlander transferred from Detroit to Houston last month and showed quality pitching in Game 2 of the ALCS, giving just one run during nine innings. Notably, when Houston were facing a crisis in Game 6 by losing three games in a row after winning two consecutive games, he displayed excellent pitching to give no run during seven innings, bringing the duel to square one. It was an invaluable win that paved the way for his team to make a turnaround after almost losing the series. Verlander has been named the MVP in the latest series.

In the wake of Houston’s victory, a World Series showdown between the Yankees and the Dodgers for the first time in 36 years has not materialized. The Yankees lost both Games 1 and 2 in away games, but swept all three games in its turf as Aaron Judge regained the team’s powerful batting capabilities. The Yankees, which continued to increase expectations among its fans, failed to pass the final stage towards the World Series in the end. If the Yankees advanced to the World Series, the team could have played a “dream game” against the Dodgers, a rival of the Astros since 1981.

Houston will play Game 1 of the World Series (the team winning four of seven games first wins) at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. The Houston Astros announced Dallas Keuchel, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw as their starting pitcher, respectively. The Astros aim to secure its first World Series victory, but The Dodgers are also desperately pursuing the championship for the first time since 1988.



Jae-Hyeng Kim monami@donga.com