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Evan Gattis: Astros Knew Clayton Kershaw Pitches In 2017 World Series Against Dodgers

Blake Williams
4 Min Read
Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports

Questions will always linger over the results of the 2017 World Series when the Los Angeles Dodgers were defeated in seven games by the Houston Astros, but Evan Gattis helped provide some clarity.

In 2019, MLB determined the Astros electronically stole signs throughout the 2017 season, but how far they went was still not known. Questions surrounding if the team also used buzzers to alert their hitters and how often they used the system remained.

Many players also declined to state how much the cheating scandal impacted their ability to hit. But according to a tweet from Gattis, who played for the 2017 Astros, the team knew which pitches Clayton Kershaw was throwing in their Game 5 matchup at Minute Maid Park:

The Astros went on to score six runs in 4.2 innings against Kershaw, but most notably they did not swing and miss at a single breaking ball from the future Hall of Famer. Houston won 13-12 in 10 innings, which gave them the edge to win the series with a 3-2 lead.

Ultimately, no player was suspended as they were offered immunity in exchange for their cooperation in the investigation by commissioner Rob Manfred despite it being described as a player-driven scheme.

The Astros were also not stripped of their championship because the trophy was just a “piece of metal” and Manfred wanted fans and players to determine if the World Series outcome was legit.

The punishment levied by Manfred included general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch each receiving a one-year suspension, $5 million fine (highest amount permitted) and forfeit of first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 MLB Drafts.

Lunhow and Hinch were both fired by the organization, but they each received jobs again after their suspensions ended.

Astros players and coaches were forced to apologize for their roles in the scandal, but many believed they were disingenuous, especially with Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora bragging about stealing the World Series title.

Gattis’ admission also backs up Cora bragging about how the Astros knew what pitches were being thrown when they didn’t even have men on base to steal signs.

Carlos Beltran admitted 2017 World Series is ‘stained’

While many of the Astros’ players and executives wouldn’t admit their cheating helped them win the World Series, Carlos Beltran said the scandal does leave a blemish on their first championship in franchise history.

Since then, the Astros have made it back to the World Series three times, losing two and finally winning their first legit title during the 2022 season.

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Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com