MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series); Rays Hold Off Astros For First Pennant And World Series Berth Since 2008

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Rays held off the Houston Astros 4-2 to win their first American League pennant since 2008 as they won their league championship series four games to three.

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Astros Force Game Seven After Beating Rays Again

 At Petco Park, San Diego:  

In Friday's sixth game of the American League Championship Series, the Houston Astros became only the second team in Major League Postseason history to come back from a three-games-to-none deficit to force a game seven (the Boston Red Sox in 2004 becoming the first as they overcame the New York Yankees and won the American League pennant, en route to their first World Series title since 1918) by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4.

Franber Valdez pitched six innings of one-hit, nine-strikeout ball for the victory, while the Astros scored four runs in the fifth inning.

The series will be decided on Saturday at 5:37 PM Pacific Time (TBS).

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Astros Top Rays Again, Force Game Six

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Carlos Correa hit a game-winning home run in the ninth inning on Thursday as the Houston Astros upended the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in game five of the American League Championship Series, cutting the Rays' series advantage to three games to two.

Tampa Bay can still wrap up the American League pennant (and the Junior Circuit's World Series berth) with a game-six win on Friday (3:07 PM Pacific Time, TBS).

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Astros Hold Off Rays, Stay Alive In Series

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

George Springer hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning on Wednesday as the Houston Astros extended their season by holding off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in game four of the American League Championship Series.

The Rays can still lock up their first American League pennant in 12 years with a game-five win on Thursday.

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Rays Go Up 3-0 On Astros; Tampa Bay One Victory Away From First World Series Appearance Since 2008

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Joey Wendle and Hunter Renfroe each drove in two runs during a five-run sixth inning (made possible by an error by Jose Altuve) as the Tampa Bay Rays overpowered the Houston Astros 5-2 in Tuesday's third game of the American League Championship Series.

The Rays, up three games to none, can salt away their first pennant (and World Series appearance) since 2008 with a game-four victory on Wednesday.

The Astros will now attempt to do what was successfully done once in Major League Baseball history, overcoming a three-games-to-none deficit to win a best-of-seven series (Boston Red Sox, ALCS, 2004).

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Game): Rays Top 'Stros Again, Take 2-0 Series Lead

 At Petco Park, San Diego:

Manuel Margot delivered a three-run home run in the first inning on Monday as the Tampa Bay Rays doubled up the Houston Astros 4-2 in game two of the American League Championship Series, which the Rays now lead two games to none.

MLB Playoffs (American League Championship Series): Rays Grab Series Opener

 At Petco Park, San Diego (site of all games in this series):

In Sunday's opening game of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, Randy Arozarena hit a home run while Blake Snell pitched five innings of one-run two-strikeout ball as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 2-1.

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Perhaps, the time has come for all the major sports leagues to rethink their embrace of modern technology.

BRYCE WHO?: NATS COME FROM BEHIND, UPEND ASTROS FOR FIRST-EVER WORLD SERIES TITLE; STEPHEN STRASBURG NAMED SERIES MVP

At Houston:

Anthony Rendon (solo) and Howie Kendrick (two-run) each smacked a seventh-inning home run on Wednesday as the Washington Nationals came back from two runs down to overpower the Houston Astros 6-2 on the road in game seven to win the first World Series championship in their 51-year history----and the first world championship for a Washington-based club since 1924.

This marked the first time in Fall Classic history that the road team won every game.

Nats pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who won both of his decisions---including Tuesday's critical game-six victory----was named series Most Valuable Player.

Here's Washington Juan Soto, holding the Commissioners Trophy following his team's historic victory.

USA Today Sports photo by Thomas B. Shea

World Series: Nats Down Astros In Houston To Force Game Seven

At Houston:



Stephen Strasburg (that's him here) pitched 8 and 1/3 innings of solid, seven strikeout baseball while Anthony Rendon hit a home run and batted in five runs on Tuesday night as the Washington Nationals squared the World Series at three games apiece following their 7-2 road victory over the Houston Astros.

The Fall Classic, which has seen the visitors win all six games, will be decided on Wednesday night in Houston (5:07 PM Pacific Time, FOX).

USA Today Sports photo by Mike Ehrmann

World Series: Astros Bomb Nats Again For 3-2 Series Lead

At Washington:

Garrit Cole pitched seven solid innings of nine-strikeout baseball while George Springer, Yordan Alvarez, and Carlos Correa each belted a home run on Sunday as the Houston Astros again routed the Washington Nationals on the road, this time by seven runs to one to take a three-games-to-one World Series lead after sweeping the three games contested in the Nation's Capital.

The Astros can wrap up their second world championship in three years with a game-six victory at home back in Houston on Tuesday night (5:07 PM Pacific Time, FOX).

Here, we see dejected Nats pitcher Joe Ross, who surrendered four runs on two homers in Sunday's defeat.

USA Today Sports photo by Brad Mills.

World Series: Astros Blast Nats To Square Fall Classic In DC

At Washington:



Alex Bregman belted a grand-slam home run in the seventh inning to more or less ice the game (he had five runs batted in) on Saturday night as the Houston Astros squared the World Series at two games apiece following their 8-1 game-four road beat-down of the Washington Nationals.

That's Alex, celebrating with teammates here following his four-run round-tripper.

USA Today Sports photo by Brad Mills

World Series: Astros Knock Off Nats In DC, Cut Washington's Series Lead To 2-1

At Washington:

Jose Altuve doubled twice (and scoring a run each time afterward) on Friday as the Houston Astros knocked off the Washington Nationals 4-1 in game three of the World Series, spoiling the first Fall Classic contest to take place in the Nation's Capital since 1933, snapping the Nats' MLB record-tying postseason game-winning streak at eight.

After Robinson Chirinos hit a solo home run which added to the Astros' coffers, he is greeted in celebration by the aforementioned Mr. Altuve.

EPA-EFE photo by Erik S. Lesser

World Series: Nats Pummel Astros, Take 2-0 Series Lead Back To DC

At Houston:

Kurt Suzuki hat a go-ahead home run inning in what proved to be a six-run seventh inning as the Washington Nationals annihilated the Houston Astros 12-3 on the road in game two of the World Series, which the Nats now lead two games to none.

After a shaky start, Stephen Stasburg pitched six good innings of two-run, seven strikeout baseball to earn the victory.

The Nationals' Adam Eaton, after belting a two-run eighth-inning home, celebrates with Victor Robles.

Associated Press photo by Matt Slocum

World Series: Nats Hold Off Astros To Take Series Opener On Road

At Houston:

Juan Soto hit a home run (shown here) and a two-run double on Tuesday as the Washington Nationals knocked off the Houston Astros 5-4 on the road in the opening game of the World Series.

USA Today Sports photo by Troy Taormina

JOSE ALTUVE COMES THROUGH AS ASTROS FINISH OFF YANKEES FOR AMERICAN LEAGUE PENNANT AND WORLD SERIES BERTH

At Houston:

Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning on Saturday night as the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 6-4 to win game six of the American League Championship Series and their second league pennant in three years four games to two.

The Astros will open the World Series at home on Tuesday night (5:08 PM Pacific Time on FOX) against the Washington Nationals.

MLB Playoffs: Yankees Ambush Astros To Stay In ALCS

At New York:

D.J. LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks each hit a home run on Friday as the New York Yankees scored all their runs in the opening inning to hold off the Houston Astors 4-1 in game five of the American League Championship Series.

The Astros, who still lead the series three games to two, can still wrap up the American League pennant and the Junior Circuit's World Series berth with a game six home victory in Houston on Saturday.

MLB Playoffs: Astros Put Yanks Backs To The Wall, Can Lock Up American League Pennant With One More Victory

At New York:

George Springer and Carlos Correa each smacked a three-run homer on Thursday as the Houston Astros downed the New York Yankees 8-3 in game four of the American League Championship Series.

The Astros, who now hold a three-games-to-one advantage, can lock up their second American League pennant in three years by finishing off the Bronx Bombers at Yankee Stadium on Friday with a game-five victory.

MLB Playoffs: Astros Handcuff Yankee Bats To Gain 2-1 ALCS Lead

At New York:

Garrit Cole pitched seven innings of shutout baseball while Jose Altuve hit a home run on Tuesday as the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 4-1 on the road in game three of the American League Championship Series, which the Astros now lead two games to one.

MLB Playoffs: Astros Level ALCS Against Yanks

At Houston:

Carlos Correa hit the game-winning home run on Sunday night as the Houston Astros knocked off the visiting New York Yankees 3-2 on the road in game two to square the American League Championship Series at one game apiece.