The Astros Eliminated the Yankees with a Walk-Off Home Run, and Are Heading to the World Series

The Houston Astros are headed back to the World Series.  They eliminated the New York Yankees in Game Six on Saturday night, thanks to a walk-off home run.  The final score was 6-4.

It was a crushing blow to the Yankees, who’d JUST come back from behind to TIE the game in the top of the ninth with DJ LEMAHIEU’s two-run homer.

But then in the bottom of the ninth, JOSE ALTUVE slugged a game-winning two-run home run to send the Yankees home.

Interesting fact:  This was the first time in Major League postseason history that a team hit a game-tying or go-ahead home run in the top half of an inning . . . and then allowed a walk-off home run in the bottom half.

There was a time when the Yankees were in the World Series every year . . . but they haven’t made it since they won in 2009.  In fact, the 2010s are the first decade since the 1910s in which the Yankees did NOT make a World Series.

The Astros are returning to the World Series just two years after winning it in 2017 over the L.A. Dodgers.

This time around, Houston is up against the Washington Nationals, who’d never even won a playoff series before this season.

Vegas has the Astros as the favorites by the widest margin since the Boston Red Sox were favored over the Colorado Rockies in 2007.  The Red Sox ended up sweeping the Rockies in four games that year.

By the way, BRYCE HARPER said he’s “happy” that the Nationals made it to the World Series in the first season AFTER he left the team in free agency.

He said, quote, “I think it’s about being able to be the person that I am, and not saying to myself, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m not a National.’  Or, ‘Oh my gosh, those guys are doing what they’re doing.  I can’t believe it.  I’m so jealous.’

“No.  I’m so happy for them.”

He also said he doesn’t regret his decision to leave:  Quote, “It’s over.  I wear #3 now, and I play for the Philadelphia Phillies.”

(I don’t buy it.  Bryce is definitely experiencing FOMO seeing the Nationals in the World Series without him.  But he got $330 million from the Phillies . . . so no one feels bad for him.)