Astros and Dodgers Await Their LCS Opponents

In two straight seasons, the Houston Astros needed just win vs the L.A. Dodgers to win the N.L. West title.

Those two franchises, the Dodgers sans a World Series appearance or title since Orel Hershiser, Kirk Gibson and company led one in 1988 and the Astros, a team sans a World Series game win and now of course in the American League, won their division series two days ago and await their LCS opponents.

Houston which needed a Joe Niekro win in an extra game after losing the last 3 “reg” games at L.A. in ’80 and lost all 3 in L.A. in ’81 as the Dodgers won the strike marred season division series, will face the winner of tonight’s Yankees at Indians game.

When the ‘Stros won that game to win their first crown of any kind in that their 19th season, first baseman Dave Bergman made the clinching play, in an easy win.

Two days ago, similarly named Alex Bregman, hit a very important game tying home run in the top of the eighth inning.

The Dodgers will face the winner of the Cubs/Nationals series which “Chi” leads 2 games to 1. If it is L.A. vs Chi, as was the case last year, recall the winner of a “semi” between those two cities, is unbeaten in the five subsequent finals, including the Cubs’ 108 year drought ending, final win last season.