LEADING OFF: Astros-Rays go to Game 7, LA trails Braves 3-2

UNEXPECTED SEVEN

The Astros are channeling the 2004 Red Sox, hoping to “cowboy up” for a stunning comeback that could send them to the World Series in Arlington, Texas. The only task left — winning Game 7 of their AL Championship Series against the Rays.

Trailing 3-0 in the series earlier this week, Houston players watched a documentary about Boston’s rally from a similar deficit in the ALCS against the Yankees — the only time in baseball’s 116-year postseason history a club trailed 3-0 and advanced. Carlos Correa, George Springer and the Astros’ other players are using that unforgettable comeback as inspiration.

That Red Sox team went on to win the World Series and end the Curse of the Bambino. Houston is merely trying to prove it can win without stealing signs after their 2017 title was tainted by scandal.

“We’re not through writing history,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “We’re hoping we can have a happy ending to this historic season and historic year.”

Tampa Bay’s Charlie Morton and Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. will share the mound in an elimination game for the first time since doing so as teammates in 2017. McCullers started and Morton closed for the Astros in Game 7 of the ’17 World Series against the Dodgers.

LET’S PLAY 6

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1of3Houston Astros George Springer (4) and Jose Altuve celebrates with his teammates after winning Game 6 of a baseball American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in San Diego. The Astros defeated the Rays 7-4 to tie the series 3-3.Gregory Bull/APShow MoreShow Less 2of3Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Will Smith, right, reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, back left, in the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)Curtis Compton/APShow MoreShow Less 3of3Tampa Bay Rays’ Mike Zunino breaks his bat after striking against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning in Game 6 of a baseball American League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in San Diego.Ashley Landis/APShow MoreShow Less

Mookie Betts and the Dodgers try again to avoid elimination when they face Atlanta in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.

Down 3-2, Walker Buehler starts for Los Angeles against Max Fried at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. They met in the opener and both gave up one run before Atlanta scored four times in the ninth inning for a 5-1 victory.

The Braves haven’t been to the World Series since 1999, the Dodgers haven’t won the title since 1988.

Los Angeles won 7-3 in Game 5, boosted when catcher Will Smith homered off Braves reliever Will Smith. It marked the first time since at least 1961 that a hitter homered off a pitcher with the same name, the Elias Sports Bureau said.

MARGOT-GO-GO

Tampa Bay outfielder Manuel Margot is hoping to take his successful postseason debut all the way to the World Series. Margot was one of the only bright spots for the Rays in their loss to the Astros in Game 6 of the ALCS, hitting two more homers and driving in three runs.

The 26-year-old Margot, who was once considered one of baseball’s top hitting prospects, was acquired in a trade with San Diego in February. He is batting .270 with five homers and 11 RBIs in 12 playoff games after he hit .269 with one homer in 47 appearances during the regular season.

MODERN BASEBALL

To fans who protest there’s not enough hitting in baseball, consider the top of the eighth inning in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series as a prime offense.

The tally: 33 pitches, zero balls put in play.

Houston led 7-2 when Rays reliever José Alvarado walked Martín Maldonado, George Springer and José Altuve to load the bases with no outs. After Michael Brantley struck out, Aaron Loup was summoned from the Tampa Bay bullpen. Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman then struck out, ending the inning.

Not exactly an action-packed frame. For those counting, there were seven foul balls mixed in there.

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