HOUSTON — Sometimes, to repurpose the words that poor Max Scherzer used on Sunday night, a little thing turns into a big thing and then a giant thing — think of the Yankees deciding not to trade second-year pitcher Mariano Rivera to Seattle for veteran Felix Fermin and instead letting rookie Derek Jeter be their starting shortstop in 1996 — and then next thing you know, a dynasty rises.
Other times, the turn of events proves nowhere as subtle. Like that time the Astros acquired a future Hall of Famer and found themselves on the verge of a second championship in three years with him.