Jeremy Peña leads the Houston Astros to the World Series

Star in the making Jeremy Peña, or as some say JP3 or La Tormenta, was a key reason the Houston Astros are back in the World Series after a sweep of the New York Yankees.

Big moments make big players and Peña rose to the challenge with a three-run home run to put the Astros on top in Game 4 of the ALCS. The first game of the World Series is set for Friday evening against the Philadelphia Phillies. The game time has not yet been announced as of Monday morning.

Houston Astros rookie Jeremy Peña earned the ALCS MVP award

Peña took home the ALCS MVP trophy, in part from his Game 4 heroics, but also his body of work in the three prior games. Peña’s three-run shot in Game 4 certainly gave a boost to the Astros players and especially the pitching staff, giving them a lead for the first time in the game. He finished the game going 2-for-4, with a home run, three RBI, and two runs.

In the prior three games Peña went 3-for-4 in Game 1, 1-for-4 in Game 2, and zero for five in Game 3.

Peña’s solo home run in the first game came in the seventh inning to give the Astros a 4-1 lead and plenty of cushion for the bullpen. His .353 average for the ALCS helped the Astros have a solid start to each game, with Peña batting between Altuve and Alvarez.

Peña might have a penchant for the dramatic, as now he has homered in both elimination games the postseason and gave the Astros the lead on each. He also played solid defense and made several amazing plays throughout the series, including turning multiple double plays to end Yankee rallies.

Can Peña continue his hot streak into the World Series? This writer thinks so, but time will tell.

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