The Washington Nationals and Houston Astros are officially set to meet in the 2019 World Series, which begins Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Minute Maid Park. By virtue of finishing with the best record in baseball, the Astros secured home-field advantage through the Fall Classic.
The American League pennant is a second in the past three seasons for the Astros, who advanced to their first career World Series appearance in 2017. They fell short of getting back to the Fall Classic last season after being defeated by the eventual-champion Boston Red Sox in five games during the 2018 AL Championship Series.
This year marks the Astros’ third consecutive postseason trip since moving to the AL in 2013. Houston is in the World Series for just the second time in franchise history, having previously defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games two years ago.
The Nationals, on the other hand, are taking part in their first ever World Series. To get to this point has been an uphill climb for the club, who began the 2019 season on a disappointing note only to storm back in the second half en route to clinching a Wild Card spot.
Despite trailing the Milwaukee Brewers for the majority of the NL Wild Card Game, Washington overcame a three-run deficit to advance to the NL Division Series against the 106-win Dodgers.
Once again on the brink of elimination, the Nationals pulled out back-to-back wins in Games 4 and 5 to deny L.A. a fourth consecutive trip to the NL Championship. They were victorious in the NLDS for the first time in Washington franchise history and advanced to the next round for a matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Unlike their previous two opponents, the Nationals cruised to a series victory by completing a sweep of the Cardinals to punch their ticket to the Fall Classic. They are now only four wins away from the first World Series championship in franchise history.
World Series schedule, start times and TV information
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 22, Minute Maid Park, 5:08 p.m. PT (FOX)
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 23, Minute Maid Park, 5:07 p.m. (FOX)
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 25, Nationals Park, 5:07 p.m. (FOX)
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 26, Nationals Park, 5:07 p.m. (FOX)
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 27, Nationals Park, 5:07 p.m. (FOX)
Game 6*: Tuesday, Oct. 29, Minute Maid Park, 5:07 p.m. (FOX)
Game 7*: Wednesday, Oct. 30, Minute Maid Park, 5:08 p.m. (FOX)
*If necessary
