Published by
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
By Tom Verducci The shiny diversions are as plentiful as the Vegas strip at midnight. How umpire James Hoye and Rangers outfielder Adolis García overreacted to a hit by pitch. How Texas closer José Leclerc threw a 3-and-2 changeup to a guy who had not taken a competitive swing in 19 days—and still hasn’t. How Houston catcher Martín Maldonado is always suspect No. 1 when the proverbial flying eraser from the back of the room bounces off the whiteboard. Don’t be distracted. The Astros are one win away from going back to the World Series because of one of the best pound-for-pound sluggers basebal…