Indeed, what the Astros are doing right now is special. They only trail the 1991-1999 Braves in consecutive LCS appearances (that team made it eight times, a streak that was interrupted only by the 1994 strike). However, they have just one World Series title to their name, and that is the ultimate goal. They’ve made it three times in this streak and four times total.
The name of the game for these Astros? Continuity.
Despite firing A.J. Hinch after the 2017 cheating scandal was uncovered, Dusty Baker has retained several of the mainstay players of this run. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, and Ryan Pressly are just some of the longtime players still on this roster, and they’re looking to add to the Astros’ trophy case.
Standing in their way is the Yankees and the winner of Padres vs. Phillies. Can the Astros win another title? Here’s a glimpse at their history as they try to make a run.
Have the Astros won the World Series?
The Astros have won a World Series, but it is fraught with controversy.
Houston won the 2017 World Series over the Dodgers, a title that has been roundly criticized because of the pitch stealing operation that has been uncovered since. As a result of the scandal, which involved banging on trash cans to tip off pitches, manager A.J. Hinch was fired from the team after being suspended for a year while general manager Jeff Luhnow was also suspended for a season.
MORE: When is the last time the Padres went to a World Series?
The Astros beat the Dodgers in seven games, and George Springer (now with the Blue Jays) was named World Series MVP. Jose Altuve won the 2017 MVP award for the regular season.
Since then, they’ve played the Nationals and the Braves in World Series. They’ve lost both of those appearances.
When is the last time the Astros made the World Series?
The Astros are the defending AL pennant winners, having made it last season against the Braves.
The Braves capped off their historic postseason with a win in six games over the Astros, where Jorge Soler won MVP. The Astros went through a lot of laundry to get there, beating the White Sox in the ALDS and the Red Sox in the ALCS.
Houston also made it in 2019, where they lost to a team similar to the 2021 Braves: The 2019 Nationals. Washington won the Dusty Bowl a year before Baker came to manage the Astros.
If the Astros make it this year, it would be the first time in franchise history they make it in back-to-back seasons.
Astros World Series appearances
The Astros have made four World Series appearances, and are 1-3 in those appearances. Their one win is in 2017, and they have losses in 2005 (as a National League team), 2019, and 2021.
