ALCS: Red Sox Sweep 'Stros in Houston, Advance to World Series

Not that it was ever a question after the season Boston's had, but talk about validation!

Dudes not only ended the defending World Series champions' reign, but they did it in their house against their ace.

What's more, they did it with a jinxed slinger holding the Houston Astros scoreless through six innings before handing the ball to a reliever, a starter, and a dicey closer to complete a 4-1 victory and a 4-1 ALCS sweep.

Cue the training video:

 

David Price was task intense from the first pitch.

If he had thoughts of being the sole record holder for most post-season starts with out a win -- dude came into this game at 0-9 with a 6.16 ERA in 11 career playoff starts -- it didn't show.

Quite the opposite, actually. He shut down the potent 'Stros on three hits, walking none and ringing up nine.

 

Justin Verlander got nicked twice:

• JD Martinez put the game's first run on the board with a bomb in the third, and
• Rafael Devers put paid to the series with his three-run shot in the sixth.

Those were all the BoSox needed to back up Price:

 

Not a bad way to celebrate manager -- and Houston's bench coach last year -- Alex Cora's birthday.

The fact he's just become the first Puerto Rican to lead a club to the World Series is icing on the cake.