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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Chris Thompson

Marcus Semien of the Rangers pops champagne.

Texas Rangers GM: Don’t Anyone Dare Say My Players Partied!

Barry Petchesky

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 30: Arizona Diamondbacks players celebrate in the Chase Field pool after clinching a National League Wild Card playoff spot after the game against the Houston Astros on September 30, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

It Was Clinch Night

Kathryn Xu

Julio Rodríguez reacts after striking out against Héctor Neris.

Héctor Neris Got Mad, And The Mariners Couldn’t Get Even

Lauren Theisen

Justin Verlander tips hit cap after being taken out of the game

Justin Verlander Pulled The Astros Out Of The Quicksand

José Altuve celebrates after a home run.

José Altuve Has Found The Range

Late Summer Is For Spoilers

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Ryne Stanek #45 of the Houston Astros reacts to a balk call from second base umpire Junior Valentine #25 as he comes off the field, allowing Jonny Deluca #89 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to score a run for an 8-7 Dodgers lead, after the end of the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Astros Reliever Melts Down After Balk Call Gives Dodgers Game-Winning Run

Davey Martinez: Look At This Photograph

David Roth

Twitter CEO Elon Musk carries a sink into Twitter headquarters as part of a typically epic jape.

Capital

Everything Is Silicon Valley Now

Laura Wagner

Manager Dusty Baker Jr. of the Houston Astros celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 to win the 2022 World Series in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

You Can’t Not Be Happy For Dusty Baker

Yordan Álvarez Hit A Ball So Hard That It Ended The Phillies’ Hopes And Dreams

Jeremy Peña shrugs after socking a dinger.

The Astros Have Seized The Juice

Rafael Montero #47, Bryan Abreu #52, Cristian Javier #53, Christian Vázquez #9 and Ryan Pressly #55 of the Houston Astros pose for a photo after their combined no-hitter

A Combined No-Hitter Leaves Everyone Wanting More

Tom Ley

Cristian Javier Played Catch

Bryce Harper celebrates his home run with Alec Bohm

Bryce And Alec Have A Secret

Ray Ratto

A World Series Rain Delay Just Leaves More Time To Drive Yourself Crazy

The Astros Are Not Here For Any More Phillies Shenanigans

The World Series Is Chaos Vs. Control

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: The Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in game four to win the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

You Do Not Have To Root For The Phillies

Does Hatred Of The Astros Spring Eternal?

The Astros Keep Finding These Guys

Ignore The Relief Pitchers Of The ALCS At Your Own Peril

Luis Paez-Pumar

Game three of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners enters the seventeenth inning without a run at T-Mobile Park on October 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.