The World Series Stage is Set

10/25/2021

By: Jeff Yoder

Houston Astros & Atlanta Braves Advance to 2021 MLB World Series

The Fall Classic is set! The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves are heading to the 2021 World Series with the first pitch set for Tuesday night. The Astros shut out the Red Sox in Game 6 of the ALCS on Friday night (5-0) to reach their third World Series in the last five seasons. On Saturday, the Braves took down the Dodgers (4-2) to capture their first NL pennant since 1999. Three teams entered the postseason with 100-plus regular-season wins, but none of them have survived. It’s Braves-Astros for all the marbles. Here’s how the LCS Game 6s were won:

 

How the Pennants Were Won

 

ALCS Gm 6: Astros def. Red Sox (5-0)

A close-it-out Game 6 for Houston came courtesy of Astros’ pitcher Luis Garcia on Friday night. Garcia went five-plus innings giving up just one hit to kickstart the Game 6 shutout that sends Houston back to the Fall Classic for the third time in five years. Yordan Alvarez carried the big bat on Friday night with a 4-for-4 performance that included two doubles and a triple. Despite two years of criticism from the sign-stealing scandal, the Astros are back again with a shot at the crown.

(Hou Wins Series 4-2) 

 

NLCS Gm 6: Braves def. Dodgers (4-2)

The Eddie Rosario show continued Saturday night at Truist Park with a 2-for-4 night (1 HR, 3 RBIs) as the Braves secured their first pennant in 22 years. Atlanta ripped seven hits and four runs in the first four innings off Dodgers’ pitcher Walker Buehler before the defense held the L.A. bats in check. The Braves will now attempt to win their first World Series since 1995.

(Atl Wins Series 4-2)

 

Both the Braves and Astros are 7-3 in the postseason entering the World Series. It’s Houston who has home-field advantage, as well as the edge in recent World Series experience.

 

World Series Game 1

Braves at Astros (Tues. 8:00 pm ET)

Pitchers: C. Morton (ATL) vs. F. Valdez (HOU)

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: How the Braves Stunned Baseball to Reach the World Series

Yahoo! Sports: The Astros Are Here to Play the Villains in the World Series

MLB: Braves’ Pitcher Charlie Morton Will Start Game 1 of World Series Against Former Team