For the last two postseasons, the Houston Astros have had to deal with the fallout from the sign-stealing scandal they admitted to being a part of back in 2017. The absences of fans in the stands last season allowed the Astros to escape from the profanity-laced insults and hatred that continued throughout social media and airwaves across the country in other baseball cities.

This year has been worse. Houston was booed from the moment they took the field until the final pitch of the game. Fake trash cans were brought to games, followed by signs and t-shirts that have read “Cheaters.”

I will not talk about the number of times I have heard “F-Altuve” in opposing parks about Astros' second baseman Jose Altuve.

Yet, through it, all Houston continued to do what they have done in the past. Stick together and win games as a unit that moves as one.

The Astros came within one game of advancing to their third World Series Championship in four years, losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 American League Championship Series. Houston has found themselves in a position to make that return trip by playing in their fifth consecutive ALCS. They become the third team in MLB history to reach as many, joining the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves to accomplish such a feat.

“It is really special,” said Houston shortstop Carlos Correa. “I will never take this moment for granted. I am going to enjoy it with my teammates as much as I can. This is a special team, special organization, and I am proud of what the front office has been able to do with the Houston Astros. We don’t get tired of these moments. They are special and we perform our best when October comes.”

The Astros will now take on the Boston Red Sox in the best-of-seven ALCS starting Friday at Minute Maid Park. It is a rubber match of sorts as the two teams have faced each other in the past on their way to World Series titles. Houston defeated the Red Sox in 2017 and Boston returned the favor in 2018.

Houston had to finish off an opponent that garnered as much ill-will dislike towards the team as the fans and media in the Chicago White Sox to advance to the ALCS. After taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five ALDS against the White Sox at home, the Astros traveled to Guaranteed Rate Field and lost Game 3 by a score of 12 -6 in one of their worst games of the year by striking out a season-high 16 times against the White Sox.

Inclement weather caused Game 4 to be pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday, which worked out in the favor of the Astros. Game 1 starter Lance McCullers Jr. replaced Jose Urquidy as the Game 4 starter and was masterful on the mound in the 10-1 win over the White Sox to end the series.

Astros manager Dusty Baker reiterated how his team's determination and grit to fight through all the rhetoric from the naysayers keeps them focused.

“We have been constantly bombarded by negatives, especially on the road, but these guys come to play, and they love each other,” Baker said. “I love this team and the city loves this team, and that is all that counts.”