ASTROS to the World Series

BY: MATTHEW PRESLAR

A few years ago, a Sports Illustrated cover featuring George Springer said the Astros would be 2017 World Champions. As crazy as it sounded then, the prediction is almost to fruition as the Houston Astros just won game 7 of the American League Championship Series over the New York Yankees. This means a lot more to me due to our trip to Greeneville, Tennessee to see the Rookie Level Astros over the summer. The stadium featured banners of Greeneville Astros that have moved up to play in the Major Leagues. The two most notable banners were Carlos Correa and likely American League MVP, Jose Altuve.

2014 Sports Illustrated Cover featuring Houston Astros

The banners around the stadium and the near identical uniforms really builds an attachment to the parent club. Even though I only went once, this outing added to my appreciation to the Astros organization. With all the home grown and developed talent at the major league level, I have no doubt I saw some players that will be household names in the next few years. This only adds to the value of attending any game within the organization.

​My hometown in suburban Charlotte, NC has been flooded by many New York transplants in recent years. Many I have told about my summer baseball outings, including the Greeneville Astros. I always purchase a hat of the home team at every stadium. In the weeks around that thrilling 7 game series, I have proudly worn my “GASTROS” hat which agitates all the loyal Yankee fans.

G-Astros Gear from our trip to Pioneer Park in Greeneville, Tennessee

I think this will be a very close World Series, likely needing all seven games. Astros top two starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander are matched by Clayton Keyshawn and Yu Darvish. Elite hitters Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are matched by Justin Turner and Clay Bellinger. The series will come down to contributions of role players. Much like the NLCS, expect Dodgers utility player, Kike Hernandez, to make the most of his plate appearances against Dallas Keuchel. The Astros success may rely on former Braves catchers Brian McCann and Evan Gattis producing runs from the bottom half of the Astros lineup. Good luck Houston!