The Astros played an amazing game tonight, and now stand at the door of their first ever World Series appearance. It's by no means a done deal, but the Astros are really playing some of the best baseball I have ever seen them play. Their hitting is getting it done, sure, but it's the pitching and the defense that are really knocking the Cardinals around.

If the ball was hit hard, the Astros seemed to be on top of it. If the ball was hit hard between the basemen, the Astros managed to stretch for it. The Astros made two outstanding defensive plays and completely shut down the Cardinals. With the Astros leading by one with *no* outs in the top of ninth, the Cardinals had a man at first and third. Now typically with two outs and runners at first and third, it is usually assumed that that runner on third will somehow make it home either by an actual hit, or by a sacrifice fly. After a close play at home to get the first out, the batter and the guy formerly on first advanced to third base. After a sharply hit pitch up to the second basemen, the Astros managed to squeeze out a double play (barely) and retired the side for the game. The Astros won the game by one run. That was just a really exciting way to end the game. The Astros defeated the odds by not allowing two different runners on third base to score. That was fun to watch.

Whew! The Astros play tomorrow night, and should they win, will enter their first ever World Series.

matt out