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#REDIRECT [[Major_League_Baseball_rivalries#Houston_Astros_vs._Los_Angeles_Dodgers]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{short description|Major League Baseball rivalry}}
{{Infobox sports rivalry
| name = Astros–Dodgers rivalry
| team1logo = Houston Astros cap logo.svg
| team2logo = LA Dodgers.svg
| team1 = [[Houston Astros]]
| team2 = [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| firstmeeting = May 7, 1962<br />[[Colt Stadium]]<br />Colt .45s 9, Dodgers 6
| mostrecent = August 4, 2022<br />[[Dodger Stadium]]<br />Dodgers 7, Astros 5
| nextmeeting =
June 23, 2023<br />[[Dodger Stadium]]
| total = 734
| most wins = Dodgers
| regularseason = Dodgers, {{Winning percentage|394|328|record=y|ignore_ties=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mcubed.net/mlb/la/hou.shtml|title=MLB : Series records : Los Angeles Dodgers(H) against Houston Astros(A)}}</ref>
| postseason = Tied, 6-6
| longeststreak = {{Plainlist|
* Astros: 10 (1992–1993)
* Dodgers: 9 (1966–1967)
}}
| largestvictory = Dodgers: 13–1 (1973), (2016)<br />Astros: 18-4 (2003)
| currentstreak = Dodgers, 1
| section_header = Post-season history
| section_info = {{Plainlist|class=nowrap|
* '''[[1981 Major League Baseball postseason|1981 NLDS]]''': Dodgers won 3–2
* '''[[2017 World Series]]''': Astros won 4–3
}}
}}

The '''Astros–Dodgers rivalry''' is a [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) interleague [[Major League Baseball rivalries|rivalry]] played between the [[Houston Astros]] and the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]. The Dodgers and Astros were both members of the [[National League West]] division until the Astros were realigned to the [[National League Central]] in 1993, and eventually the [[American League West]] in 2012. The rivalry initially began as a divisional matchup. Following Houston's move to the American League, the rivalry regained intensity as the two teams played one another in the [[2017 World Series]] in which the Astros controversially won the championship in seven games. Animosity was quick to grow further after the Astros' [[Houston Astros sign stealing scandal|widely publicized sign stealing scandal]] had drawn negative attention to the organization after it was revealed the team had utilized a complex system to steal pitch signs, including during the 2017 World Series. As a result of the scandal, hostility grew between the two teams and their fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-vs-astros-three-things-to-know-as-la-and-houston-rekindle-rivalry-at-dodger-stadium/|title=Dodgers vs. Astros: Three things to know as L.A. and Houston rekindle rivalry at Dodger Stadium}}</ref> The Dodgers lead the all time series 400–334, both teams are tied in postseason wins 6–6.

==History==
===1960s: Houston joins the MLB===
Houston was granted a Major League Baseball franchise on October 17, 1960 in the form of the newly created Houston Colt .45s, slated to begin play in the [[National League West]] in 1962. Following the conclusion of the 1964 season, the franchise was renamed to the Houston Astros. On March 21, 1966, the Dodgers faced the Astros in the first ever MLB game played on an artificial surface. Created by Monsanto, the product was initially named “ChemGrass,” but rebranded to AstroTurf upon being installed at the Astrodome. The AstroTurf was installed shortly after the 1965 season, but when the Dodgers and Astros played the following March, only the infield and foul line areas featured the new surface due to a shortage in stock.

After a late collapse in 1979, the Astros finished in a tie for first place in the National League West with a record of 92–70 with the Dodgers, having lost three in a row in Los Angeles on the final series of the season. The teams played a tiebreaker on October 6 to determine the division champion, which the Astros won, marking the first time the franchise qualified for the postseason.

===1981 NLDS===

{{multiple image
| align = left
| image1 = Nolan Ryan in Atlanta closer-up.jpg
| width1 = 334
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Fernando Valenzuela in bullpen.jpg
| width2 = 200
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = Astros' [[Nolan Ryan]] (left) and Dodgers' [[Fernando Valenzuela]] (right) engaged in a historic matchup during the 1981 NLDS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cbsaustin.com/sports/professional/gallery/astros-dodgers-developed-quite-a-rivalry-as-division-foes?photo=1|title=World Series: Astros and Dodgers developed quite a Rivalry as Divisional foes}}</ref>
}}

The Division Series was created on August 6 in response to the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike]], which caused the cancellation of roughly one-third of the regular season between June 12 and August 9; by the time play was resumed, the leagues decided to split the season into two "halves" and the division winners of each half compete against each other in the "division series."

In a historic battle of pitching; Game 1 saw Dodgers' legend [[Fernando Valenzuela]] in a duel with Astros' hall-of-famer [[Nolan Ryan]]. Both teams clawed to tie the game 1-1 going well into the 9th inning, but a late Houston 2-run walk off ended the game 3-1. Game 2 saw both teams go scoreless for the duration of the entire game, leading to 11 innings until Houston managed a lone run to end the game. Houston was now one win away from winning the Astros' first ever playoff series in franchise history, However; the Dodgers bats managed to come back to life during Game 3 as they would run away with the win 6-1. Game 4 was another low-scoring stalemate between the two as Dodgers' ace Valenzuela returned to the mound. The Dodgers managed to hold a 2-0 lead by the end of the 8th inning, a two-out RBI single in the ninth produced the only Astros run as the Dodgers won Game 4, 2–1. Desperate to save the series in Game 5, the Astros returned Ryan to the mound while the Dodgers utilized [[Jerry Reuss]] to ice the series. Reuss failed to give up a single run the entirety of the game as the Dodgers fought their way out of the stalemate with 3 runs during the 6th inning and another in the 7th to win the series 4-0. The Dodgers would go on to eventually win the [[1981 World Series|World Series]] over the [[New York Yankees]].

===1990s: First Divisional Realignment===
Following the lone playoff matchup in the 1981 NLCS, both teams endured different paths as the Astros would only win the division one other time in 1986, meanwhile; the Dodgers managed two other divisional titles and a [[1988 World Series|World Series]] victory in 1988. The 1990s would see both teams regress, though they would remain competitive briefly near the end of the decade. The Astros quickly saw their core from the 1980s decline sharply, though they did manage a key free agent signing in 1991 in the form of [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]] prospect, and future hall-of-famer [[Jeff Bagwell]]; By 1994, the MLB had reformatted the divisions to six instead of four, relocating Houston to the NL Central, despite the increase in competition from both teams; the conundrum of the 1994 work stoppage robbed either team of a playoff push. In 1997 the Astros managed another notable free agent signing in future hall-of-fame pitcher [[Randy Johnson]], aiding in Houston's playoff aspirations, though they would be swept by the [[Atlanta Braves]] in the NLDS. Houston would make another push to the NLDS following a 102 win season, but they eventually fell to the [[1998 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]] 3-1 in the NLDS. The 1999 season would see the Astros play their final season in the Astrodome as [[Minute Maid Park|Enron Field]] was slated for opening in 2000. Houston managed back to back wins over the Dodgers for the final two regular season wins at the dome. The Astros managed yet another ill-fated appearance in the NLDS but fell to the Braves in 4 games.

===2000s: Houston's first World Series===
By the turn of the milennium, the rivalry had lost it's intensity primarily due in part to the relocation of divisions and the waning success of the Dodgers through the end of the 1990s and early 2000s due to poor ownership, though they would manage an appearance in the NLDS in 2004 and 2006. The Astros suffered yet another divisional round loss to the Atlanta Braves in 2001, though things improved shortly after and Houston managed an appearance in the [[2004 National League Championship Series|2004 NLCS]], and a [[2005 World Series|World Series Appearance]] in 2005 as a wild card team; though they would be swept by the eventual champion [[2005 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]]. Houston failed to make the postseason for their remaining duration in the National League. Meanwhile the Dodgers managed back-to-back NLCS appearances in [[2008 National League Championship Series|2008]] and [[2009 National League Championship Series|2009]], losing both times.

===2010s: Astros leave the NL===
The rivalry was largely dormant during the early 2010s as the Astros were among the worst teams in baseball, posting over 105 losses in three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013. However, they became consistent playoff contenders by 2015. Meanwhile, the Dodgers finished around .500 in the early part of the decade but went on to win the NL West title eight consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2020.

The 2017 season saw both teams among the best in all of MLB, as the Dodgers finished an MLB-best 104–58 and the Astros were 101–61, one game behind the [[2017 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] for the best record in the AL. Both teams went through their leagues' playoffs to meet in the [[2017 World Series]].

===2017 World Series ===
{{See also|2017 World Series}}
The Dodgers and Astros faced off in their first World Series meeting and and second postseason meeting overall.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whicker|first=Mark|title=Whicker: Dodgers, Houston Astros try to rekindle their 80s rivalry|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/22/astros-dodgers-try-to-bring-back-the-80s/|newspaper=[[Orange County Register]]|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref> This was the first World Series since {{wsy|1970}}, and the eighth overall, in which both participants had 100 or more wins during the regular season.<ref name="DodgersAstros100wins">{{cite news|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259323604/astros-dodgers-have-each-won-100-plus-games/|title=Astros-Dodgers joins 100-win Series history|last1=Kelly|first1=Matt|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017|publisher=Major League Baseball|last2=Randhawa|first2=Manny}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Stephen|first=Eric|title=Astros vs. Dodgers is the first World Series between 100-win teams in 47 years|url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/10/23/16518732/astros-dodgers-world-series-100-wins-mlb-history|publisher=[[SB Nation]]|date=October 23, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref>

[[Clayton Kershaw]] started Game 1 for the Dodgers, while [[Dallas Keuchel]] started for the Astros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/10/22/world-series-game-1-will-feature-dallas-keuchel-vs-clayton-kershaw/|title = World Series Game 1 will feature Dallas Keuchel vs. Clayton Kershaw|date = October 22, 2017}}</ref> The temperature at the start of the game was {{convert|103|F}}, which made this the hottest World Series game ever recorded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/23/us/record-world-series-weather/index.html|title = World Series 2017: Triple-digit heat in LA|website = [[CNN]]|date = October 23, 2017}}</ref> [[Chris Taylor (baseball)|Chris Taylor]] hit a home run for the Dodgers on Keuchel's first pitch of the game. It was the third home run to leadoff a game in Dodgers postseason history ([[Davey Lopes]] in [[1978 World Series]] and [[Carl Crawford]] in [[2013 NLDS]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/videos/2017/10/24/16540024/chris-taylor-home-run-leadoff-dodgers-world-series|title=Chris Taylor leads off the World Series with a home run|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=October 24, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> [[Alex Bregman]] hit a home run for the Astros in the fourth inning. However, the Dodgers retook the lead on a [[Justin Turner]] home run as the Dodgers won the game, 3-1. Kershaw 11 batters in seven innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/259587014/dodgers-homers-back-clayton-kershaw-in-game-1/?topicId=27118384|title=Red hot! Turner HR backs Kershaw Gm. 1 gem|work=mlb.com|last=Gurnick|first=Ken and Brian McTaggart|date=October 24, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref>

Houston came back to win the next two games. Game 2 was an extra inning affair which saw the teams tied at 3 after nine innings. Both teams scored two runs in the 10th, the Astros on back-to-back home runs by [[José Altuve]] and [[Carlos Correa]] and the Dodgers on a [[Yasiel Puig]] home run and a [[Enrique Hernández (baseball)|Enrique Hernández ]] RBI single. The Astros scored two more in the 11th and held off another Dodgers rally to win 7-6. The Astros rode a 4-run second inning to a 5-3 win in Game 3, however it was overshadowed by
Astros' hitter [[Yuli Gurriel]], who made a racist gesture mocking Dodgers’ pitcher [[Yu Darvish]] who was Japanese. Gurriel was caught on camera stretching the sides of his eyes and mouthing the Spanish word ''chinito'', which translates to "little Chinese Boy".<ref name=hernandez_10272017>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Dylan|title=Some look askew at Yuli Gurriel's dugout squint|date=October 27, 2017|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-hernandez-20171027-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028101329/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-hernandez-20171027-story.html|archive-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Waldstein|first=David|title=Astros' Yuli Gurriel Apologizes After a Racist Gesture Aimed at Yu Darvish|date=October 28, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/28/sports/baseball/yuli-gurriel-apologizes-racist-yu-darvish.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028103415/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/28/sports/baseball/yuli-gurriel-apologizes-racist-yu-darvish.html?mtrref=web.archive.org|archive-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Gurriel apologized, and said that anyone from Asia is called a ''chino'' in Cuba, although he acknowledged that he knew the term was offensive from having played in Japan.<ref name=hernandez_10272017 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Lauber|first=Scott|title=MLB mulls discipline after Yuli Gurriel's insensitive gesture|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21189685/houston-astros-yuli-gurriel-apparently-mocks-los-angeles-dodgers-yu-darvish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028103536/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21189685/houston-astros-yuli-gurriel-apparently-mocks-los-angeles-dodgers-yu-darvish|archive-date=October 28, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Gurriel was suspended for the first five games of the [[2018 Houston Astros season|2018]] season without pay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/astros-first-baseman-yuli-gurriel-be-questioned-after-racially-insensitive-n815281|title=Astros' Yuli Gurriel Will Be Suspended After Racist Gesture at World Series|website=nbcnews.com}}</ref> He was required to undergo sensitivity training in the offseason. The Astros said that they would donate Gurriel's salary lost during the suspension to a charity that supports diversity efforts.<ref>[http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21197888/houston-astros-first-baseman-yuli-gurriel-suspended-world-series-games-following-gesture-comments-los-angeles-dodgers-pitcher-yu-darvish "Gurriel won't be suspended for any World Series games"]. espn.com. October 28, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref>

====Game 4====
The starting pitchers for Game 4 were [[Alex Wood (baseball)|Alex Wood]] for the Dodgers and [[Charlie Morton (pitcher)|Charlie Morton]] for the Astros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Charlie-Morton-Dodgers-Alex-Wood-square-12312852.php|title = World Series Game 4 pitching foes come from Braves stock|date = October 27, 2017}}</ref> Springer homered off Wood in the bottom of the sixth for the first run. It was the only hit Wood allowed in {{fraction|5|2|3}} innings pitched in the game. Forsythe drove in [[Cody Bellinger]] to tie the game in the top of the seventh. Morton struck out seven and only allowed three hits and one run in {{fraction|6|1|3}} innings. Bellinger then drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the top of the ninth off of Ken Giles and the Dodgers added four more runs on a sacrifice fly by [[Austin Barnes]] and a three-run homer by Pederson. Bregman homered off of Jansen in the bottom of the ninth but the Dodgers managed to even up the series. The Astros only got two hits in the game; both were home runs. This was the first game in World Series history where both starting pitchers allowed four or fewer baserunners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171028259973212/dodgers-tie-world-series-with-rally-in-9th/?game_pk=526514|title=Dodgers break Astros' home spell, even Series|work=mlb.com|last=Gurnick|first=Ken and Brian McTaggart|date=October 28, 2017|access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> Pederson tied a Dodgers post-season record ([[Billy Cox (baseball)|Billy Cox]], [[Andre Ethier]], [[A. J. Ellis]]) with four straight starts with an extra base hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2017/10/29/16566756/joc-pederson-extra-base-hits-dodgers-rally-world-series-game-4-notes|title=Joc Pederson's extra-base hit streak & the Dodgers' rally|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=October 29, 2017|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref>

====Game 5====
Kershaw and Keuchel started Game 5, in a rematch of the opening game of the series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clayton Kershaw, Dallas Keuchel face in Game 5|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260002236/clayton-kershaw-dallas-keuchel-face-in-game-5/|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> Forsythe singled in two runs off of Keuchel in the first inning to put the Dodgers up early. A third run scored on a throwing [[error (baseball)|error]] by Gurriel. Barnes singled in the fourth to score Forsythe. Keuchel pitched only {{fraction|3|2|3}} innings for the Astros, allowing five hits and four runs (three earned). This was his shortest home start of the season. The Astros scored their first run with an RBI double by Correa in the bottom of the fourth inning, followed by a three-run home run by Gurriel to tie the game. Bellinger hit a three-run home run off of [[Collin McHugh]] in the top of the fifth to put the Dodgers back on top only for Altuve to hit his own three-run home run in the bottom of the inning off Maeda to tie it back up. Kershaw only pitched {{fraction|4|2|3}} innings and allowed six runs on four hits and three walks. A [[triple (baseball)|triple]] by Bellinger on a [[line drive]] that Springer missed on a dive in the seventh inning off of Peacock scored Hernández from first base. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Springer hit a home run off the first pitch in the bottom of the inning off of Morrow, who was pitching for the third consecutive day, to tie the game. Bregman scored on a double by Altuve to put the Astros ahead for the first time in the game, and then Correa hit a two-run home run to extend the lead. Seager doubled in a run in the top of the eighth inning, but McCann hit a home run in the bottom of the inning. That was the 21st home run of the series, tying the record set in the [[2002 World Series]]. Puig broke the record with a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. Taylor drove in Barnes to tie the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/29/sports/world-series-dodgers-astros.html|title=World Series 2017: Dodgers vs. Astros Game 5 Live Updates|first1=Benjamin|last1=Hoffman|first2=David|last2=Waldstein|work=The New York Times|date=October 29, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref> With the teams combining to score 24 runs through the first nine innings, this was the highest scoring World Series game since the [[1997 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]] beat the [[1997 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] 14–11 in Game 3 of the [[1997 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/mlb/id/7139411|title=Most Runs in a World Series Game, Combined|date=October 23, 2011|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> Bregman singled in pinch runner [[Derek Fisher (baseball)|Derek Fisher]] for the winning run in the tenth off of Jansen.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lauber|first=Scott|title=Astros win thrilling Game 5 in walk-off fashion to take World Series lead|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/84298/astros-win-thrilling-game-5-in-walk-off-fashion-to-take-world-series-lead|publisher=ESPN|date=October 29, 2017|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> The Astros became only the second team to come back twice from three runs down in a World Series game.<ref name="cbssports.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-astros-game-5-what-to-know-about-maybe-the-best-world-series-game-ever/|title=Dodgers-Astros Game 5: What to know about maybe the best World Series game ever}}</ref> The other were the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] in the 15–14 win during Game 4 of the [[1993 World Series]]. This World Series set a new record for most players to hit a home run (14 to date in the World Series).<ref name="cbssports.com"/> The 2017 World Series also set a record for the number of players who hit at least one home run<ref name="cbssports.com"/> Game 5 lasted five hours and seventeen minutes, making it the second longest World Series game in history, trailing only the 14 inning contest between the Astros and the [[Chicago White Sox]] in Game 3 of the [[2005 World Series]] and the six game tying home runs in the series to this point is the most for any World Series on record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260033600/astros-beat-dodgers-in-wild-game-5-go-up-3-2/?game_pk=526515|title=Can't make this up! Astros earn insane W|work=mlb.com|last=McTaggart|first=Brian and Ken Gurnick|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref>

====Game 6====
Game 6 featured the same starting pitchers as the second game: Verlander and Hill. The game began with several brief pauses on the mound from Hill while Dodger fans aggressively booed Astros’ first baseman [[Yuli Gurriel]] following his racist gesture towards Dodgers’ pitcher Yu Darvish following a solo home run in game 3. Springer hit a solo home run off of Hill in the top of the third for the first run of the night.<ref name=game6>{{cite news|last1=Hoffman|first1=Benjamin|last2=Waldstein|first2=David|title=World Series 2017: Dodgers vs Astros Game 6: Live Updates|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/31/sports/world-series-dodgers-astros.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 31, 2017|access-date=October 31, 2017}}</ref> It was Springer's fourth homer of the series, tied for third all-time in a single series and joining [[Gene Tenace]], in [[1972 World Series|1972]], as the only players with four game-tying or go-ahead home runs in a World Series.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=ESPNStatsInfo|author=ESPN Stats & Info|number=925531430037458954|date=October 31, 2017|title=George Springer joins Gene Tenace (1972) as the only players to hit 4 game-tying or go-ahead home runs in a #WorldSeries}}</ref> The Astros loaded the bases in the fifth inning, but did not score. Hill pitched {{fraction|4|2|3}} innings, struck out five and allowed four hits and one run.<ref name=game6/> In the sixth inning, Taylor tied the game with an RBI double and Seager hit a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers the lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/oct/31/world-series-2017-game-6-houston-astros-los-angeles-dodgers-live |title=World Series 2017 Game 6: Houston Astros 1-3 Los Angeles Dodgers – as it happened|date=31 October 2017|work=Guardian|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref> Verlander pitched six innings with nine strikeouts and only three hits allowed. Pederson hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning and Jansen pitched two scoreless innings for the save.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/260269594/dodgers-solve-justin-verlander-force-game-7/|title=LA solves JV! Dodgers find O to set up WS G7|work=mlb.com|last=Gurnick|first=Ken and Brian McTaggart|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> Pederson tied a World Series record with his fifth consecutive game with an extra base hit and [[Andre Ethier]], who appeared in the game as a pinch hitter, set a new Dodgers franchise record with his 50th career postseason game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2017/11/1/16589196/joc-pederson-world-series-extra-base-hits-record-tony-watson-rich-hill|title=Joc Pederson ties World Series extra-base hit record|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref>

====Game 7====
The starting pitchers for this game were the same as in the third game: McCullers and Darvish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-dodgers/2017/11/01/526517#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526517|title=Astros vs Dodgers Preview|work=mlb.com|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> Springer doubled to open the game and scored the first run on an error by Bellinger, which allowed Bregman to reach second base. Bregman stole third base and scored on an Altuve ground out. McCann scored the next inning on a groundout by the pitcher McCullers. Springer then hit a two-run home run, tying [[Reggie Jackson]] and [[Chase Utley]] for most home runs in a single world series (5) and setting a new record with 29 total bases in any post-season series. Darvish lasted only {{fraction|1|2|3}} innings and became the third pitcher with two starts of less than two innings in the World Series, and the first since [[Art Ditmar]] in the [[1960 World Series]]. Morrow relieved Darvish and in the process became only the second pitcher to pitch in all seven games of a single World Series, joining [[Darold Knowles]] in the [[1973 World Series]]. McCullers lasted only {{fraction|2|1|3}} innings himself, he allowed three hits and hit a World Series record four batters. This was the first Game 7 in World Series history where neither starting pitcher got past the third inning. The Dodgers failed to score a run through five innings, despite having multiple runners in scoring position. Ethier, pinch hitting, scored Pederson on a single in the sixth inning for the Dodgers' only run. They only had one hit in 13 chances with runners in scoring position in the game.<ref name=game7>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/sports/world-series-dodgers-astros.html|title=World Series 2017: Astros vs. Dodgers Game 7 Live Updates|first1=Benjamin|last1=Hoffman|first2=David|last2=Waldstein|work=The New York Times|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> Kershaw pitched four scoreless innings of relief in the game, and in the process, he broke [[Orel Hershiser]]'s Dodgers post-season record with his 33rd strikeout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2017/11/1/16568418/clayton-kershaw-postseason-strikeout-record-dodgers-world-series|title=Clayton Kershaw sets Dodgers postseason strikeout record|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> Morton pitched four innings of relief to end the game, earning the win, as the Astros won their first World Series.<ref name=game7/> It was later determined that the Astros' victory came in the form of one of the most controversial scandals in the sport in over 100 years.

==2019: Astros' Scandal Breaks==
{{main|Houston Astros sign stealing scandal}}
{{quote box|width=25em
| align = left
| quote = "Those guys were cheating for three years, I think what people don't realize is [Jose] Altuve stole an MVP from [Aaron] Judge in 2017. Everyone knows they stole the ring from us. But it's over."
| source = —Cody Bellinger, Dodgers' outfielder<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28701586/nl-mvp-cody-bellinger-says-astros-jose-altuve-stole-2017-al-mvp-aaron-judge|title=NL MVP Cody Bellinger says Astros' Jose Altuve stole 2017 AL MVP from Aaron Judge}}</ref>
}}

Speculation about sign stealing by the Astros had been rampant for a number of years. The Astros were not the only team to be suspected of sign stealing; concern about electronic sign stealing was high around the league.<ref>{{cite web|last=Drellich|first=Evan|date=October 20, 2019|title=Deregulate sign stealing? New rules may have eliminated some theft, but not fears|url=https://theathletic.com/1305368/2019/10/20/deregulate-sign-stealing-new-rules-may-have-eliminated-some-theft-but-not-fears/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306161605/https://theathletic.com/1305368/2019/10/20/deregulate-sign-stealing-new-rules-may-have-eliminated-some-theft-but-not-fears/|archive-date=March 6, 2020|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[The Athletic]]}}</ref> After the scandal broke in 2019, many members of the Dodgers organization said that they had suspected the Astros were illegally stealing signs during the 2017 World Series, particularly during Game 5. On November 12, 2019, journalists [[Ken Rosenthal]] and Evan Drellich published a story in ''[[The Athletic]]'' detailing for the first time specific allegations that the Astros had engaged in illicit electronic sign stealing. [[Mike Fiers]], a [[pitcher (baseball)|pitcher]] who played for the Astros in [[2017 Houston Astros season|2017]], stated that a center-field camera feed was sent to the tunnel behind the Astros dugout in Minute Maid Park. An Astros player or staff member then hit a [[trash can]] to signal specific different pitches to the [[batter (baseball)|batter]] at home plate.<ref name="suntimes2019">{{cite web|last1=Rosenthal|first1=Ken|last2=Drellich|first2=Evan|date=November 12, 2019|title=The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 — part of a much broader issue for Major League Baseball|website=[[The Athletic]]|url=https://theathletic.com/1363451/2019/11/12/the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball/|url-status=dead|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620165607/https://theathletic.com/1363451/2019/11/12/the-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017-part-of-a-much-broader-issue-for-major-league-baseball/|archive-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="espn1112">{{cite web|last=Passan|first=Jeff|date=November 12, 2019|title=Ex-Astros pitcher Mike Fiers: Team stole signs with camera|website=[[ESPN.com]]|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066522/ex-astros-pitcher-mike-fiers-team-stole-signs-camera|url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619092741/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066522/ex-astros-pitcher-mike-fiers-team-stole-signs-camera|archive-date=June 19, 2020}}</ref> In addition to Fiers, unnamed sources were cited in the article. MLB began an investigation the day after the ''Athletic'' story was published.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/13/us/houston-astros-mlb-sign-stealing-allegations-trnd/index.html|title=Astros say they're cooperating with MLB investigation into video sign stealing|website=[[CNN.com]]|first1=Ray|last1=Sanchez|first2=Wayne|last2=Sterling|date=November 13, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2019}}</ref> [[Jeff Luhnow]], the [[General manager (baseball)|general manager]] of the Astros, stated that the Astros organization was "going to look into the allegations in cooperation with Major League Baseball".<ref name="si13nov2019">{{cite web|last=Verducci|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Verducci|date=November 13, 2019|title=Astros' Latest Scandal Demands Quick Action From MLB|website=[[Sports Illustrated]]|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/13/houston-astros-sign-stealing|url-status=live|access-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611040851/https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/13/houston-astros-sign-stealing|archive-date=June 11, 2020}}</ref>

The Astros were fined $5 million, the maximum allowed by the MLB constitution, and forced to forfeit their first- and second-round draft picks in [[2020 Major League Baseball draft|2020]] and [[2021 Major League Baseball draft|2021]]. In addition, Luhnow and Hinch were each suspended for the entire 2020 season, including the playoffs.<ref name="report">{{cite web|last=Manfred|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Manfred|date=January 13, 2020|title=Statement of the Commissioner|url=https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/cglrhmlrwwbkacty27l7.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619012629/https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/cglrhmlrwwbkacty27l7.pdf|archive-date=June 19, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2020|publisher=[[Major League Baseball]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Langs|first=Sarah|date=January 14, 2020|title=10 notable suspensions in baseball history|work=[[MLB.com]]|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/notable-suspensions-and-discipline-in-baseball-history|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416121549/https://www.mlb.com/news/notable-suspensions-and-discipline-in-baseball-history|archive-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>

Most members of the Astros organization kept silent publicly throughout the investigation. The day after the original ''Athletic'' article, former Astros player [[Carlos Beltrán]] denied having knowledge of the alleged scheme.<ref>{{cite web|last=Axisa|first=Mike|date=November 13, 2019|title=Mets manager Carlos Beltran denies Astros stole signs electronically in 2017|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mets-manager-carlos-beltran-denies-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116001417/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mets-manager-carlos-beltran-denies-astros-stole-signs-electronically-in-2017/|archive-date=January 16, 2020|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> Hinch appeared at a press conference during the annual [[Winter Meetings]] and said he was cooperating with MLB but declined to comment further.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rome|first=Chandler|date=December 10, 2019|title=Many questions, but few answers from Astros' A.J. Hinch on MLB probe|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Many-questions-but-few-answers-from-Astros-A-J-14897473.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503075727/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Many-questions-but-few-answers-from-Astros-A-J-14897473.php|archive-date=May 3, 2020|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> In a January ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' article published before MLB announced the findings from its investigation, Astros shortstop [[Carlos Correa]] expressed surprise that Fiers had made the accusations. [[Joe Musgrove]] said, "I wasn't even in the dugout for any of that stuff," while [[Alex Bregman]] and [[George Springer]] declined to comment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rome|first=Chandler|date=January 4, 2020|title=Carlos Correa: Astros' 2017 title not tainted by sign-stealing probe|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Carlos-Correa-Astros-2017-title-not-tainted-14949832.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226152623/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Carlos-Correa-Astros-2017-title-not-tainted-14949832.php|archive-date=February 26, 2020|access-date=January 19, 2020|website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref>
On January 13, 2020, Manfred announced the results of the investigation, confirming that the Astros had illegally used a video camera system to steal signs in the 2017 regular season and postseason, and in parts of the 2018 regular season. The report detailed that two months into the 2017 season, Astros [[bench coach]] [[Alex Cora]] and a group of players which included Beltrán worked to create a system to steal signs.

Angry comments from players across the league increased when spring training began in February. Many players criticized the Astros, especially after their press conference at the beginning of camp.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carson|first=Emily|date=February 14, 2020|title=MLB players rip Astros over sign-stealing scandal|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-players-rip-astros-over-sign-stealing-scandal/eahd5y3l32ov1asjoux6bz9c4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218065643/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-players-rip-astros-over-sign-stealing-scandal/eahd5y3l32ov1asjoux6bz9c4|archive-date=February 18, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020|website=[[Sporting News]]}}</ref> Many of the condemnations came from members of the Dodgers, who the Astros defeated in the 2017 World Series, and the Yankees, who the Astros defeated in the ALCS in both 2017 and 2019.<ref name="espn-tattoo">{{Cite web|last=Passan|first=Jeff|date=February 17, 2020|title=Disciplining Astros not as easy for MLB as Altuve revealing a tattoo|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28726243/disciplining-astros-not-easy-mlb-altuve-revealing-tattoo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601151929/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28726243/disciplining-astros-not-easy-mlb-altuve-revealing-tattoo|archive-date=June 1, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020|website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/dodgers-news-clayton-kershaw-astros-sign-stealing-distinction|title=The Dodgers-Astros rivalry continues to live on. These two teams simply do not like each other for good reason}}</ref>

The [[Los Angeles City Council]] passed a resolution in January 2020 calling on MLB to strip the Astros of the 2017 World Series title and award it to the Dodgers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bieler|first1=Des|last2=Bogage|first2=Jacob|date=January 22, 2020|title=Los Angeles City Council calls on MLB to give Dodgers 2017 and 2018 World Series trophies|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/22/los-angeles-city-council-calls-mlb-give-dodgers-2017-2018-world-series-trophies/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210195404/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/22/los-angeles-city-council-calls-mlb-give-dodgers-2017-2018-world-series-trophies/|archive-date=February 10, 2020|access-date=January 31, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> [[United States House of Representatives|US Representative]] [[Bobby Rush]] from [[Illinois]] released a letter calling on the chairman of the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform|US House Committee on Oversight and Reform]] to open a congressional investigation into the scandal along with MLB's response.<ref name="bobbyrush">{{cite web|last=Chiari|first=Mike|date=January 17, 2020|title=Congressman Bobby Rush Calls for Congressional Oversight on MLB Cheating Scandal|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871927-congressman-bobby-rush-calls-for-congressional-oversight-on-mlb-cheating-scandal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118145231/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871927-congressman-bobby-rush-calls-for-congressional-oversight-on-mlb-cheating-scandal|archive-date=January 18, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2020|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref>

On February 14, 2020; during an interview from Dodgers' Spring Training, outfielder [[Cody Bellinger]] publicly took aim at the Astros and second baseman [[Jose Altuve]], claiming he had robbed 2017 MVP frontrunner [[Aaron Judge]] of the award in addition to cheating the entire Dodgers' organization out of a championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28701586/nl-mvp-cody-bellinger-says-astros-jose-altuve-stole-2017-al-mvp-aaron-judge|title=NL MVP Cody Bellinger says Astros' Jose Altuve stole 2017 AL MVP from Aaron Judge}}</ref> In retaliation, Astros' shortstop Carlos Correa defended his teammate, claiming the trash can hits were discouraged by him and Altuve, Correa would also exclaim to MLB News in response to Bellinger directly: "“If you don't know the facts, then you gotta shut the fuck up.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-correa-rips-cody-bellinger-defends-jose-altuve-in-explosive-interview-193515958.html|title=Carlos Correa rips Cody Bellinger, defends Jose Altuve in explosive interview}}</ref>

==2020-Present: Hostility Grows==
On July 29, 2020, Dodgers' pitcher [[Joe Kelly (pitcher)|Joe Kelly]] was issued an eight-game suspension after [[beanball|throwing at]] [[Alex Bregman]] and [[Carlos Correa]] of the [[Houston Astros]] and inciting a bench clearing altercation after a strikeout of Correa.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gurnick |first1=Ken |title=Joe Kelly (8 games), Roberts (1) suspended |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/joe-kelly-dave-roberts-suspended |website=mlb.com |access-date=July 29, 2020 |date=July 29, 2020}}</ref>

On September 12 and 13, the Astros played their first games in Los Angeles following the breaking news of the scandal, despite Dodger Stadium being closed to fans; a large number of hostile Dodger fans arrived outside the stadium gates during both games to heckle the Astros’ team bus with signs in regards to the scandal, as well as throwing trash while honking their car horns or chanting “Cheaters”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/look-dodgers-fans-heckle-astros-bus-with-asterisk-signs-and-trash-cans-prior-to-game-in-los-angeles/amp/|title=Dodger Fans Heckle Astros’ Bus with asterisk signs and Trash Cans}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2908824-dodgers-fans-greet-astros-team-bus-with-trash-cans-signs-in-viral-photos.amp.html|title=Dodger fans greet Astros team bus with signs and trash cans}}</ref> The Astros finished the abbreviated 2020 regular season with a 29–31 record, second in the AL West, but in the expanded playoff format, they made it into the playoffs and advanced to Game 7 of the ALCS, where they lost to the [[Tampa Bay Rays]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Snyder|first=Matt|date=October 18, 2020|title=Astros' tumultuous 2020 season ends in ALCS Game 7, and Houston enters offseason with plenty of questions|work=[[CBS Sports]]|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/astros-tumultuous-2020-season-ends-in-alcs-game-7-and-houston-enters-offseason-with-plenty-of-questions/|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104013146/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/astros-tumultuous-2020-season-ends-in-alcs-game-7-and-houston-enters-offseason-with-plenty-of-questions/|archive-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref> The Dodgers managed to pull off their first [[2020 World Series|World Series]] victory since 1988 over the [[2020 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]].

On May 25, 2021, the first full capacity game at [[Minute Maid Park]] was held with the Dodgers as the visiting team. Members of the Pantone 294 Dodgers fan group began to protest outside of the stadium and heckled both players and fans during the game. Multiple fights were reported in the stands as a result of the fans present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/dodgers-fans-filled-section-astros-174529502.html|title=Dodgers fans filled a section at Astros' stadium and chanted 'Cheaters!' all game|website=Yahoo News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2021/05/25/astros-dodgers-rivalry-in-2021/|title=Astros, Dodgers Set To Renew Rivalry In 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/dodgers-fans-fill-section-astros-stadium-chant-cheaters-2021-5|title=Dodgers fans filled a section at Astros' stadium and chanted 'Cheaters!' all game}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2021/05/27/fights-ensue-at-dodgers-astros-game-as-fans-invading-houston/|title=Dodgers fans fighting rivals as they invade Houston with cheating chants}}</ref>

On August 3, 2021, the Dodgers and Astros played the first game of a two-game series at [[Dodger Stadium]], their first meeting in front of Dodgers fans since the story broke in 2019. Stadium and league personnel increased security in anticipation of crowd anger towards the Astros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2021/08/03/dodgers-astros-series-fans-dodger-stadium/5465685001/|title='Make some noise:' Dodger fans bracing for Astros' return to Dodger Stadium|website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> The game had the largest attendance of any MLB game in 2021. Upon entering the dugout, Houston players were met with an enraged crowd booing them loudly as other fans closer to home plate chanted "cheater!" as Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Carlos Correa went to bat. Multiple fights broke out in the stands while a large number of hostile Dodger fans had thrown bottles at Astros players. Soon, other fans began removing nearby trash cans and began throwing them onto the field in anger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/08/04/dodgers-astros-fans-trash-can-fight-video|title=The Biggest Crowd of the MLB Season Showed Up at Dodger Stadium to Heckle the Astros}}</ref> Fan behavior in the stands was reportedly so unruly that TV cameras were forced to avoid showing the stands as a large number of fans [[The finger|displaying their middle fingers]] at the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIsOBkBXy_s|title=Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers - 08.03.2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/08/03/fans-take-their-swings-but-dodgers-come-up-empty-in-loss-to-astros/|title=Fans take their swings but Dodgers come up empty in loss to Astros}}</ref> The Astros won the first game of the series. The Dodgers won the second game, which had a similar attendance and fan hostility towards the Astros, splitting the series.

During the [[2022 Major League Baseball All Star Game|2022 All Star Game]] in Los Angeles; fans in attendance once again exhibited their hatred; loudly booing the Astros players present, in addition to former Astros’ outfielder George Springer who signed with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] during the 2021 offseason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2022/07/20/astros-players-booed-at-all-star-game-at-dodgers-stadium/amp/|title=Astros Players Booed at All Star Game}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thespun.com/.amp/more/mlb/look-astros-players-booed-heavily-before-all-star-game|title=Astros Players Booed Heavily Before All Star Game}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[California–Texas rivalry]]

==References==
;Inline citations
{{reflist}}

{{Houston Astros}}
{{Los Angeles Dodgers}}
{{MLB rivalries}}

[[Category:Major League Baseball rivalries]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers]]
[[Category:Houston Astros]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astros-Dodgers rivalry}}

Latest revision as of 02:43, 23 January 2024