The Houston Astros are back in the World Series for the fourth time in the past six years, which to many Mariners fans might be only slight less distressing than having the similarly loathed Yankees represent the American League.
Then again, considering the excruciating sweep Seattle absorbed at the hands of the Astros less than two weeks ago, and their unwavering status as the leading impediment to the Mariners conquering the AL West (and the AL, period) — not to mention the ongoing scorn emanating from their cheating scandal — Houston probably tops the distress test.
That pinpoints a question that was asked immediately after the Mariners' 18-inning, 1-0 loss in the decisive Game 3 of the AL Division Series, and will continue to be pondered throughout the winter:
