For the fourth time in the last six years, the Houston Astros are American League champions. Sunday night the Astros finished their authoritative ALCS sweep of the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium (HOU 6, NYY 5). It is the third time in the last six years and the fourth time in the last eight years the Astros have eliminated the Yankees in the postseason. 

The Astros were unable to stifle the Yankees’ offense like Games 1-3, and instead had to rally from early 3-0 deficit in Game 4. Starter Lance McCullers Jr. bent but did not entirely break, and the Astros hung around long enough until they could capitalize on another defensive miscue by the Yankees. Houston outscored the Yankees 18-9 in the four games. 

The Philadelphia Phillies dispatched the San Diego Padres in Game 5 of the NLCS earlier Sunday, so the World Series matchup is set. It’s Astros vs. Phillies.

Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley led another comeback in the final period to get New York to 6-1 on the season after beating the Jaguars 23-17. The Giants rushed for 236 yards in the win — 100 each from Barkley and Jones — as they paced New York in a dominant fourth quarter to win their fourth straight game. 

New York had a scare in the final seconds when Christian Kirk caught a Trevor Lawrence pass inside the 1-yard line with seconds left on the clock, but Fabian Moreau and other defenders prevented him from scoring what would have given Jacksonville the lead with a score and an extra point. Kirk was stopped inside the 1-yard line, and the Giants held on for the win since Jacksonville had no time left on the clock.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll on Daniel Jones: “He played good again. He played the way we needed to play.” 

Jones finished 19 of 30 for 202 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions (94.0 rating) while rushing for 107 yards and a score in the win. He had his fifth game-winning drive of the season as well. 

There are sure to be several MLB managers losing their job in the very near future. Who are the names frequently being discussed for manager positions? 

Potential candidates include Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro, Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy, Braves bench coach Walt Weiss, former Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, former Jays manager John Gibbons, Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren, Braves third-base coach Ron Washington, and White Sox interim manager Miguel Cairo. 

Other candidates include Mets third-base coach Joey Cora, former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, former Giants manager Bruce Bochy, Cubs bench coach Will Venable, A’s bench coach Brad Ausmus, former Mariners exec Dave Valle, WBC manager Mark DeRosa, former Cubs/Angels manager Joe Maddon, former Rangers manager Chris Woodward, Padres coach Skip Schumaker, Cubs coach Mike Napoli and MLB exec Raul Ibanez.