The Houston Astros become the first sub five hundred team to advance to the League Championship series. They defeated the Athletics 11-6 Thursday afternoon. Michael Brantley went three for five with two home runs to lead the Astros attack, and middle infielders Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa each added a dinger.

Zack Greinke started for the Astros and did not pitch great, giving up for of the Oakland runs in 4 2/3 innings, including two home runs.

The series wins by the Astros show the wisdom of putting sixteen teams in the playoffs. Sixty games is too short a time to determine the best teams. The Astros have found their groove, and if the season went on another 100 games they might well have finished with 90+ wins. They now await the winner of the Rays and Yankees series.