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In the end, it all comes down to this for the Houston Astros. It is, in many ways, a last stand.

It is fair to say, whatever your thoughts about the Astros, that the last decade for the franchise has been … eventful. They went from being a rebuilding team that lost 106-plus games in three straight years (2011-13), to the best team in baseball, to World Series champions to, ultimately, the team many opposing fans love to hate. Through it all, the Astros just kept playing baseball. And you know what else they did? They kept winning.

Now, tonight, after averting elimination with a convincing Game 5 win in Atlanta, they return to Minute Maid Park in what is starting to feel like a last stand, needing to win both Games 6 and 7 to secure the franchise’s second World Series title. This is not to say that the Astros are collapsing after this season, far from it: They still have Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker under club control for 2022 and beyond. (Though this could be it for impending free agents Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke.) But in a way, this does feel like the last stage in the decades-long Astros story, whether they win or lose this Series.

This is the first year that opposing fans have been in the stands to let Astros players know how they feel about them in the wake of the illegal sign-stealing scheme that was revealed just prior to the pandemic, and the team has responded to that adversity with a terrific season: an AL West title, an American League pennant, being two wins away from a World Series. But if the Astros really want to put the finishing touch on this wild decade, if they want to have their permanent stamp, there is no better way to do it than winning a second World Series.

By forcing the Series to come back to Houston, the Astros can close this run out on their own terms, in front of their own fans, the people who have always had their back. Maybe they’ll win the World Series again. Maybe they’ll come up short. But no matter what happens: They’ll close out this year at home, in the one place left in America where they will hear nothing but cheers. It’s as fitting a way, and place, for this Astros story to take its next turn as any.

— Will Leitch 

This morning’s top news

Braves-Astros Game 6 FAQ (8 ET, FOX)

These 3 things will decide the 2021 World Series

Braves eye clinch in Game 6: ‘There’s no pressure’

Astros’ Core 4 still has unfinished business

Roundtable: Will Series end in 6 or go full 7?

Maldonado’s impact no surprise to Scioscia

Fried ready to ‘leave it all on the field’

‘Best for the job,’ Garcia earns Game 6 nod

San Diego the place to be for skipper Melvin

(3-2)

World Series Gm 6

Atlanta @ Houston 

Minute Maid Park | 8:09 pm ET 

(2-3)

Projected Lineups:

Max Fried, LHP #54

14-7 | 3.04 ERA | 158 K

Postseason: 1-2 | 5.40 | 23K

Luis Garcia, RHP #77

11-8 | 3.48 ERA | 167 K

Postseason: 1-2 | 7.62 | 18K

1. E. Rosario, LF
2. F. Freeman, 1B
3. O. Albies, 2B
4. A. Riley, 3B
5. J. Soler, DH
6. A. Duvall, CF
7. J. Pederson, RF
8. T. d’Arnaud, C

9. D. Swanson, SS

1. J. Altuve, 2B
2. M. Brantley, RF
3. A. Bregman, 3B
4. Y. Alvarez, DH
5. C. Correa, SS
6. K. Tucker, RF
7. Y. Gurriel, 1B
8. C. McCormick, CF

9. M. Maldonado, C

Who’s hot and who’s not?

Braves: Austin Riley is 8-for-21 with three doubles in the World Series. Jorge Soler has hit two homers and produced a 1.074 OPS through five games. Travis d’Arnaud has hit two homers and produced a 1.050 OPS during the Fall Classic. Eddie Rosario has hit .411 with a 1.137 OPS this postseason.

Astros: Yuli Gurriel (6-for-18), Kyle Tucker (6-for-18) and Michael Brantley (6-for-20) are pacing the Astros’ offense in the World Series. Carlos Correa’s three hits in Game 5 pushed his batting average to .263 (5-for-19). Jose Altuve is hitting .217 (5-for-23), Martín Maldonado is hitting .200 (3-for-15), Alex Bregman is hitting .111 (2-for-18) and Yordan Alvarez is 1-for-16.

A few more things to see …

Vote tonight for the World Series MVP

Fans can vote for the 2021 Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet starting in the sixth inning.

Will postseason set record for SB success?

The stolen base is dying … except it’s not. In the postseason, it’s rising from the ashes.

Game 6? It has quite the World Series history

Game 6 is built for drama. One team can clinch a title, and the other is ready to pull out all the stops to avoid elimination. Here are 10 of the best.

5 years ago, Rajai Davis shocked the world

In Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Rajai Davis stunned the MLB world — and LeBron James! Here is his story.

DH debate again front and center at Fall Classic

A record-tying five pitchers came to bat in Game 5 on Sunday. Will that be the last time a hurler (not named Ohtani) hits?

MLB Network at the World Series

Will the Braves win it all tonight in Houston? Join MLB Network for live coverage, starting today at 3 p.m. ET.

Today’s Trivia Question

Only one World Series has ended with a 1-0 score in a Game 6. Who won it?

Answer »

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