J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers clubbed home runs, David Price twirled six scoreless innings, and the Boston Red Sox eliminated the defending champion Houston Astros with a 4-1 victory in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday.
The Red Sox claimed the final four games of the series by punishing the Astros' stellar pitching with an endless string of quality plate appearances. They bested Astros ace Justin Verlander (1-1) to secure their first AL pennant in five years, setting a date opposite either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series starting next Tuesday in Boston.
Jackie Bradley Jr. was selected the ALCS Most Valuable Player despite going 0-for-3 in Game 5. He went just 3-for-15 in the series, but the hits were a three-run double in Game 2, a grand slam in Game 3 and a go-ahead, two-run homer in Game 4. He drove in nine runs in the ALCS.