The Astros survived game two, and now could thrive.

For baseball fans, October is the ultimate. Even when it becomes so unlikely, like the Cardinals losing three straight to the wildcard Nationals and Houston walking off game two of the American League championship series.

The Astros had put themselves in a tough pitching position by letting the divisional series go the distance against Tampa Bay. But they won an absolute must game in extra innings on Carlos Correa’s home run against the Yankees Sunday night.

Games like the Yanks’ blowout win in the series opener don’t affect hardened pros with a winning mentality. They get ready for the next game, which was a taught struggle from the first pitch.

Neither team seriously threatened over the prior four innings, before Correa came up to lead off the 11th.  He was already a hero, having made a sensational run-saving play at short earlier. Having missed almost half the regular season with an injury, Correa was just rounding back into shape.

He drove a J.A. Happ fastball well into the rightfield stands as Minute Maid Park erupted in glee and relief. Don’t you love how players who know they have just connected on a long ball immediately look into the dugout or stands and signal their teammates or fans?  So very cool.

Had the Astros lost, that series would have been as over as the National League championship, moving to New York for three games. Now they have the pitching advantage with strikeout ace Gerrit Cole going against Luis Severino in game three this afternoon.

Game four starters will be announced after what happens today. If Houston goes down, Justin Verlander may come back on three days of rest to try to even the series. If the Astros win, the series is going back to Houston.

Whoever wins today will have control in advancing to the World Series – for the Astros the second time in three years and for the Yankees the first time in nine. These are without a doubt the best two teams in baseball. Power, pitching and defense.

It’s appointment sports at its best. You can almost feel the pressure through the TV set, as the home and visiting fans pack the park. The right of October trumps everything else. Aren’t they lucky?

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