MINNEAPOLIS — The Houston Astros were gathered in the clubhouse with their bottles and goggles, ready to toast another postseason victory, when manager Dusty Baker called veteran pitcher Justin Verlander forward to lead the celebration.
“I’m doing the World Series!” Baker said. “You do this one!”
Verlander, after a profanity-punctuated speech that had teammates roaring with laughter, started the cork-popping countdown at seven — one for each consecutive American League Championship Series appearance.
José Abreu homered for the third time in two games, a two-run rocket in the fourth inning that launched the Astros to their seventh straight ALCS with a 3-2 win Wednesday night that eliminated the Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of their AL Division Series.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the bond that we have and the relationships that we have in this locker room, and we hold each other accountable in a good way,” said Verlander, who returned to the Astros in August via a trade from the New York Mets. “Obviously, this team is built different. These guys are built different. When it’s time to step up, we play our best baseball.”