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The Houston Astros are headed back to the World Series for the second time in three seasons. Second baseman Jose Altuve hit a walk-off home run off New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to clinch the pennant. They’ll face the Washington Nationals, with Game 1 set for Tuesday.
The Astros and Yankees were playing after a late night of travel following Game 5. A rain postponement pushed Games 4 and 5 back a day and removed the normal day of travel before Game 6. Both teams decided to turn this into a bullpen game and save their aces for a potential Game 7. Brad Peacock was the opener for the Astros and gave up one run over 1 2⁄3 innings. Chad Green opened for the Yankees and struggled, giving up three runs in an inning of work.
Houston looked like it would lock this thing down fairly quickly. They added a fourth run in the sixth and took a 4-2 lead into the ninth inning. However, the Yankees did not go quietly in the ninth. Gio Urshela singled off Roberto Osuna to lead off the ninth. After Brett Gardner struck out, D.J. LeMahieu worked a full count, and on the tenth pitch of the at bat, hit a two-run homer to right field to tie the game up.
Chapman came on in the ninth and quickly set down Mark Maldonado and Josh Reddick. He walked George Springer, and four pitches later Jose Altuve ended it with his homer to left.
Game 1 of the World Series is set for 8:08 p.m. next Tuesday in Houston. The game will air on FOX and while starting pitchers have not formally been announced, the game is all but certain to feature Max Scherzer facing Gerrit Cole.