A record Five Cubans vied for the biggest prize in baseball. Let’s take a game by game look at the impact these peloteros had on the World Series and find out who will be sporting some new jewelry. Join me inside the Dugout as I give a Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up
Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up-Game 1
Well that didn’t take long. Leading off for Atlanta, former La Habana Cowboy Jorge Soler became the first player to hit a home run in the first at bat of a World Series. The Braves jumped out as early as anyone ever has in the Fall Classic and never looked back on their way to a 6-2 win.
Houston did try to punch back and Yordan Alvarez and Yuli Gurriel chipped in going a combined 3 for 7, including an exciting triple from the former. Round one goes to Soler.
Yuli Gurriel’s performance aside, he might have had the biggest impact by driving Braves starter Charlie Morton out of the series. Morton took a comebacker from Gurriel off the shin. He stayed in the game and even struck out three more batters in a gutsy performance. Morton ultimately succumbed to what was diagnosed as a fractured right fibula. It proved to be a taxing loss for the Braves or at least a serious test for their starting and overall pitching depth. Both teams entered the series with pitching questions and could hardly afford to lose a top starter such as Morton.
Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up-Game 2
Houston returned serve and took the second game by a score of 7-2. The same three players suited up but there were fewer highlight moments for the Cuban contingent in game 2. Jorge Soler moved to the DH spot and fifth in the batting order and went 1 for 4 in the losing effort. Yordan Alvarez hit cleanup for Houston and managed a hit and a walk. Yuli Gurriel hit seventh which is a testament to the depth of the Astros lineup. How many squads can boast having the current batting champion hitting seventh in the lineup. Yuli went 1 for 4 and did drive in a run.
Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up Game 3
The Braves blanked the Astros in Game 3 and took a 2-1 series lead. Houston’s key Cuban duo was held hitless. In fact the entire squad was until Aledmys Diaz saw his first action of the series. The super utility player from Villa Clara broke up the no hit bid in the top of the 8th inning. Jorge Soler got on base twice via walk for the Braves and was replaced defensively by fellow countryman Guillermo Heredia late.
Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up Game 4
No two home runs are the same, but both Jorge Soler round trippers have been historic. His leadoff blast in Game 1 was the first time in World Series history a batter went yard in the very first at bat of the series. Debate if his pinch hit home run was even more historic or at least momentous. It is unique when combined with the previous but also gives Atlanta a stranglehold 3-1 series lead.
Soler is the first player ever to hit a leadoff homerun and pinch hit homerun in the Fall Classic. The frozen rope just eluded countryman Yordan Alvarez who was pushed into the outfield by the lack of DH in the National League park.
All five Cubans played in this game, interestingly caddying for their fellow statesmen in the case of Diaz and Heredia. Aledyms Diaz entered as a defensive replacement and took over at first for Yuli Gurriel. Guillermo Heredia pinch ran for Soler and finished the game in centre field for the triumphant Braves.
Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up Game 5
Jorge Soler was reinstated in the leadoff spot and started things with a single. The former Cowboy came around to score on Adam Duvall’s first inning grand slam. It felt as if Atlanta would just be waiting to pop champagne for 8 innings. However, The Astros would tie the game by the 3rd inning with Yuli Gurriel driving in one of the runs. Gurriel now has 11 career World Series RBI, the most ever for a Cuban surpassing Tony Perez.
Gurriel would be part of the next Astros rally as well. He chipped in with a single contributing to Houston’s first lead in pushing the score to 7-5 in the 5th. The Stros live to see a game six. That didn’t look likely after that frantic first inning.
Cubans in The World Series Wrap Up Game 6
Jorge Soler broke up a pitchers dual in the third inning with one of the longest or at least hardest hit home runs you will ever see. After a long at bat versus Luis Garcia including multiple border line takes, Soler got the pitch he was looking for and sent a three run shot to the other side of the railroad tracks at Minute Maid Park.
Baseball can be a game of streaks but in the case of Yordan Alvarez that might not even describe his playoff performance. The ALCS MVP went from scorching hot at the plate to only collecting 2 hits in the World Series. That lack of production in the middle of the Astros lineup did no favors, and represents the cruel reality of how much goes into hitting a baseball.
The Braves take the series in 6 with a convincing 7-0 win. Cubans had their finger prints all over the series with Yuli Gurriel making the final out. Jorge Soler powered the Braves to the World Title and takes home MVP honours for his efforts with all 3 of his home runs giving Atlanta the lead.
