Three Houston Astros gave us a disappointing World Series.
The Texas Rangers are one step away from a mediocre World Series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Despite that, the Astros had two chances to beat Texas at home.
The Houston Astros had two opportunities to beat the Texas Rangers at home, but were unable to do so. Texas came back to silence the Astros fans after falling behind 3-2 at Minute Maid Park. There were many allegations at that time and they were all passed.
Jordan Alvarez and the Astros did everything they could to advance to another World Series, but Houston couldn’t defend its crown.
Instead, they’ll see if they can beat both of their AL West opponents at home.
The rating of the 2023 World Series does not lie.
Casual fans are not as interested as they have been in recent years. Arizona and Texas aren’t necessarily big markets.
There are no villains the Astros care about.
We wish Arizona and Texas all the best, but it’s hard to know what happened.
A day after some blamed the Phillies for this unfortunate reality, now it’s Houston’s turn.
I have to say this honestly: The Texas Rangers deserve to be here.
They qualified for the World Series.
But Houston has a real opportunity for big ratings and excitement.
I’m not taking anything away from what Rangers have achieved.
They’ll have to accept the spoiler game, especially considering the alternative wasn’t what the Astros World Series looked like.
Houston Astros guilty: Brian Abreu is clear
Brian Abreu avoided an ALCS suspension for grounding Adolis Garcia, but he was bitten by a bear for hitting the Rangers star, on purpose or not.
Garcia tormented the Astros in the next two games in Houston and played a key role in their eventual downfall at home.
Abreu’s court time was odd and he didn’t go any further considering the score and the moment.
But Garcia took it personally and Martin Maldonado did not reject the offer. Dusty Baker discussed the possibility of a suspension, explaining that Abreu’s absence would be a huge blow.
“He could be a big hit. I was thinking of using him for two innings today if it comes to that,” Baker said.
“But if the fines and suspensions ended tomorrow, you’d hate him, and I wouldn’t take Abreu tomorrow if he pitched two innings.”
Baker didn’t use Abreu in Game 7, nor did he need to.
Rangers took an early lead and never looked back.
Motivation is everything in the MLB postseason, and Garcia has plenty of it.
Houston Astros Culprit: Christian Javier
Houston’s entire pitching staff was absent in this series. The Bulls were brutal in Game 6, but the team was hoping for better from Christian Javier, who stepped up in Game 7.
Javier gave up the first three runs and catcher Jonah Heim had a single. Javier, who performed very well in the playoffs until this match, could not handle that moment well.
That’s what he wrote when the Rangers won game six. Game 7 was in the bag so early.
As FanSided’s Scott Rogust noted, Houston’s bullpen was overworked in Game 6 and failed in Game 7.
“It set the tone for the Astros’ night and forced Baker to lean on the bullpen early.” It’s not ideal for Houston because now he’s going home.”
In Game 7, Javier’s defense was brutal, allowing Rangers pitchers to strike early and often.
He’s a big reason we’re here.
The culprit is the Houston Astros: Dusty Baker.
Dusty Baker hasn’t played his last consecutive game as an MLB manager (or so you’d think), but he’s made some tough decisions that have been questioned by fans. Baker powered the Rangers back into the series in Game 6, and some interesting bullpen choices helped them win Game 7.
It made sense to start Javier in Game 7, but it’s hard to blame him for doing that.
But the start wasn’t good, and when the Astros fell behind, they couldn’t stop the bleeding.
FanSided’s Alicia de Artola had this to say about Houston coach Dusty Baker’s Game 6 performance:
“Listen, Baker is in trouble.
Knowing he would be watching Game 7, the coach had to make some tough decisions. The fact that he chose Rafael Montero over Ryan Pressley speaks volumes.
With Brian Abreu likely suspended, they may need Pressley to be as fresh as possible for Game 7. But playing on 7 could be a mistake.
Because Baker has never won seven games.”
Abreu never received such punishment, but Houston’s neighborhood was gassed in Game 7.
Texas deserves to win the pennant and the World Series. But the Astros had the firepower to avoid that.
