MLB Game of the Year, Unless You Bet the Astros

The Highlights

• The Astros (-122) led the Indians 8-3 headed into the bottom of the ninth inning.
• After Jose Ramirez started the inning off with a 17-pitch at-bat double, Cleveland found a way to plate 5 runs to tie the game.
• Houston then took the lead again in the 13th before blowing another save. It did not ultimately end well for those who bet the Astros.

Much of the chatter surrounding the Indians and Astros game today centered around the bad blood between starters Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer — and both guys showed up and pitched effectively.

The Tribe held a 3-2 lead heading into the top of the 8th inning. Given the enormous struggles of the Cleveland bullpen (the worst ERA in baseball) — Terry Francona decided to send Bauer back out to the mound, despite his 110 pitch count.

As badly as he may have wanted it, Bauer couldn’t get through the 8th. After the Indians went to their putrid pen, the floodgates would open, mayhem would ensue — and runs would be scored. So say "sayonara" to any under 8 tickets!

The Astros eventually would send nine batters to the plate in a six run outburst to take a commanding 8-3 lead. Houston moneyline backers had to feel like they had zero chance of losing.

But the Indians would not go down without a fight in the bottom of the 9th.

Houston brought in Ken Giles to shut the door and, needless to say, Giles left that thing ajar. Cleveland sent 10 of their own to the plate — and scored five runs to level the game at 8-8. The highlight of the inning? A 17-pitch at-bat by Jose Ramirez that ended with a double to lead off the inning.

And, just like that, through nine innings — nothing was decided. As shocked as Houston bettors felt, they still knew about that struggling Indians pen. Houston certainly had the edge heading into extras.

However, the Cleveland pen would stand tall in extras, holding the Astros scoreless in the 10th, 11th, and 12th innings. The Houston pen matched their performance, though, and the game remained tied after 12 innings.

Then, in the top of the 13th, Evan Gattis slugged his second home run of the day to give the Astros a 9-8 lead. Surely, Houston bettors had to have thought that was finally the knockout blow.

Well, it wasn't. Yonder Alonso answered right back for the Tribe — AGAIN, during "last licks" — with a solo home run of his own, knotting the game at 9 all.

And, after the Astros’ second blown save of the day, they headed to the 14th in Cleveland. Who would blink first (I'll give you a hint: Houston).

The Indians pen would post another scoreless frame in the top half — and Greg Allen would ultimately walk it off on a solo shot in the bottom of the 14th. Absolutely devastating roller coaster of a loss for anybody who backed Houston.

But an absolute joyride for anybody that had the Indians and the over…

Jose Ramirez pictured above. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports