Bottom of the 5th. Astros leading 2-1. Two out. Bryce Harper doubles. Giving how Justin Verlander blew a 5-0 lead in Game 1, Astros manager Dusty Baker would have been right to pull him out. But JV needed to complete the 5th to earn a win. In an old school management move, Dusty left JV to face Nick Castellanos. 10 pitches later, Castellanos hit a weak fly out. Inning over. JV would go on to earn the first WS win of his career. After the game, JV gave Dusty a series of emotional hugs. Incredible drama.
This type of one on one confrontation is what makes baseball so special, especially at this time of the year. No other sport can replicate such drama.
Astros return home with a 3-2 lead.