(Photo: Eric Christian Smith, Associated Press)
Houston — All season long, it seemed inevitable.
Yankees-Astros for the American League pennant.
“It’s the matchup that we wanted,” Houston shortstop Carlos Correa said. “It’s the matchup that everybody wants to watch. It’s must-see TV right there. So everybody is going to be tuning in. It’s going to be fun.”
Houston made it happen Thursday night as Gerrit Cole pitched another playoff masterpiece and the Astros jumped to a quick lead, turning back the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-1, in the deciding Game 5 of their AL Division Series.