Astros vs. Yankees

Lore & Background

The 2017 Astros clinched the AL West on September 17, then defeated the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS and the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Justin Verlander was named ALCS MVP after going 2–0 with a 0.56 ERA and 21 strikeouts. The Astros went on to win the World Series in seven games over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Yankee Stadium was thick with humidity and anticipation on that October night. As the final out approached, the stadium fell into a hush that felt heavier than the New York crowd's roar moments before. A Houston pitcher wound up, the ball leaving his hand like a silver bullet toward the plate. The crack of the bat echoed through the Bronx, sending the ball soaring toward the right-field wall. For a heartbeat, time suspended itself between the legacy of the Yankees and the rising power of the Astros.

Reader's Guide

The 2017 Astros featured the highest-scoring offense in MLB (896 runs), highest batting average (.282), on-base percentage (.346), and slugging percentage (.478). Jose Altuve won AL MVP, batting .346. The season was later marred by a sign-stealing scandal.

Did You Know?

• The Astros sent six players to the 2017 All-Star Game: Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers Jr., and Chris Devenski.
• George Springer tied a World Series record with five home runs and was named World Series MVP.
• Jeff Bagwell became the second inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an Astro.