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Houston Astros: Top five moments in franchise history

By Andrew Gleinser

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Charlie Morton #50 of the Houston Astros celebrates with teammates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven with a score of 5 to 1 to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Charlie Morton #50 of the Houston Astros celebrates with teammates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven with a score of 5 to 1 to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 19: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros hits a walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during Game Six of the League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 19: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros hits a walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during Game Six of the League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 19, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Jose Altuve‘s walk-off to bury the Yankees

We all remember this one, and it will remain an all-time epic moment despite the many lunatic conspiracy theories being thrown out on the Internet. The Astros were matched up against the Yankees yet again in the postseason, and even though they weren’t facing elimination, this was about as big of a win as you can get.

The Astros were leading the series 3-2 and had the 2019 version of Mike Scott in their back pocket. Gerrit Cole, who was on fire at the time, would be ready to start Game Seven if need be, although they would prefer to start him in Game One of the World Series. Thanks to Altuve, that’s just what they did.

The Astros came into the ninth with a 4-2 lead, but closer Roberto Osuna coughed it up by allowing a two-run homer to D.J. LeMahieu. With the game tied, George Springer drew a two-out walk against Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth to bring up Altuve.

For some inexplicable reason, Chapman didn’t work around him. Jake Marisnick was on deck, so there was no real reason to give in to Altuve. But after missing with two fastballs, Chapman hung a slider that was taken for strike one. When he hung another slider on the next pitch, Altuve didn’t miss it.

The blast sent the Astros to the World Series for the second time in three years. Even better, it helped them defeat the Yankees in the postseason for the third time in five years. It’s great to win, but it’s just a little bit sweeter when it comes against the Yankees.

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