Astros Will Be Playing Golf During The World Series

Perhaps you've already spewed your morning coffee the other day just wondering why your world was turned upside down the very moment you saw the headline just in case the game the night before was turned off early. Remember last year's incredible story by the Houston Astros, and how it all came together?

They were going to be the back-to-back World Series champs, giving Major League Baseball its first back-to-back in nearly two decades. It was going to be the beginning of a potential dynasty in Houston and the most talked-about pro team in Texas. They won it last year, and they got Sports Illustrated to make another prediction for them. But then....

The wheels came off in a hurry.

Now, relax, y'all. There's not going to be a fire sale in H-Town. The Astros got into the American League Championship Series with as much momentum as the Boston Red Sox. As it turns out, the Red Sox got into high gear and just played better. Houston's Astros were suddenly dispatched to the golf course instead of Minute Maid Park, where they would have had home field advantage for the World Series, regardless of who won the National League Championship Series. Championships are won by people who play just an inch better than their opponent. What if Houston had actually won Game 4? Instead of Andrew Benintendi making that spectacular game-ending catch in what's become an epic battle, who knows how far the Astros could have come from that? There could have a walk-off win that probably been the momentum-tilter in that series, and those teams might still have been playing even at this writing. And I predicted that rascal to go seven games.

You know who Boston had for its secret weapon? None other than former Astros bench coach Alex Cora. Yes, it is he who should get some due credit as a manager of the Red Sox. He knew the Astros and knew exactly how they ticked. Alex Cora ought to get credit for taking Boston to the next level with their team. And now, they get to play the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will represent the National League in their second straight World Series. Should be a good fight.

All I'm saying is, Houston just ran out of gas and got outplayed. It didn't help that second baseman Jose Altuve was dealing with a knee problem dating back to July, which, no doubt, has affected some of his playing. Gambling with your knee is dangerous, my friends. Altuve has been lucky up to this point, but now, he's got to have surgery. They say he will be healed up in time for the beginning of next season. Boston's Red Sox, meanwhile, are showing why they are baseball's best up to now.

And as for my Astros, well, general manager Jeff Luhnow had better get his thinking cap back on. This Houston franchise can still do something, starting next season. It's time for more magic.