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Houston Astros: Three thoughts ahead of the World Series

By Kenneth Cline

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: George Springer
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: George Springer /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 23: Corey Seager
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Embrace the Underdog Role

Once again, we’re in a championship round. You know what that means? Everyone around the country from a public side predicting us to lose. We’ve been there before, right?

I think overall from what I’ve read, the mindset is that the safe bet would be to pick the Dodgers. But it would be alright with Houston winning.

There’s nothing wrong with that. We know what it’s like. Everyone expected us to lose to the Red Sox in the ALDS. People wanted the Yankees to beat us. Sure both times, we were statistically favorite to win according to oddsmakers in both series. But the national media wanted a narrative to be the Astros losing to an elite team.

They wanted the Dodgers-Yankees World Series. Boy, we’re they wrong.

We defeated two of the five crown jewels of baseball (Dodgers, Cardinals, and Giants)

We spoiled the party and find ourselves competing against the Dodgers.

Now we’re facing the same people who respect us a bit, but they want the Dodgers to win.

Fortunately, they’re not expecting a blowout of a series. They expect a six-game series or seven at best.

But you know what? We know that feeling. You know what it reminds me of?

14 Jun 1995: Center Hakeen Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets goes up for two during a Finals game against the Orlando Magic at The Summit in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won the game, 113-101. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Allspor
14 Jun 1995: Center Hakeen Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets goes up for two during a Finals game against the Orlando Magic at The Summit in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won the game, 113-101. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Allspor /

1995

Remember when everyone thought the Orlando Magic would beat the defending champion Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals? Do you recall when no one thought the Rockets would get to the NBA Finals even with a big trade for a future Hall-of-Famer in search of a ring? Have you thought of the time when the Magic were expected to be a dominant force for years to come?

Well, do you?

I think we know the feeling.

Let’s take a look at comparisons.

  • Houston Rockets – Houston Astros
  • Orlando Magic – Los Angeles Dodgers
  • New York Yankees – San Antonio Spurs
  • Boston Red Sox – Phoenix Suns/Utah Jazz
  • Clyde Drexler – Justin Verlander
  • Hakeem Olajuwon – Jose Altuve
  • Shaquille O’Neal – Clayton Kershaw
  • David Robinson – Aaron Judge
  • Penny Hardaway – Yasiel Puig

It sounds crazy to think about it. But you get the sense it’s 1995 all over again.

Will it happen again? I don’t know. But I don’t this. We need to look into the future.

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