I'd like to say the Sox. you also would not get a game seven pushed back a extra day in this timeline. One thing is ether way my younger brother would not be a pain till 04 in this timeline (He is a mets fan and was 5 when i a Sox fan was 7)
But did he become a Met fan just to bug you because you were a Sox fan?
Let's see, rotation ends up Ryan, Knepper, Scott for Astros - sorry, I think it was Thursday but even if it was Wednesday, I doubt they use Scott again on 3 days' rest because that puts Knepper, a lefty, starting in Fenway in Game 3 and you don't know what you'd be up against as to where in the Series you'd be.
So...
Hurst was on fire - let's figure he wins Game 1 agaisnt Nolan Ryan, who pitches decently, 2-0 or so. Barrett and Boggs big keys, as Boston has some good left bats.
CLemens really had some jitters in Game 2 and would here, too, but the quesiton is, how does Knepper do? My guess is he's adequate enough, and much like OTL's attempt at a game 7 comeback in the Series, the REd Sox try against the HOuston bullpen but it's just good enough to give Houston a 5-4 win, maybe in extra innings.
So, MIke Scott wins Game 3 - Boyd has the same jitters but Astros offense maybe not as strong as the Mets so maybe 5-2 or something.
But, with Boston down 2-1 there's no way they go with Al Nipper, pitting Hurst against Ryan or whoever the 4th starter was. Here, I see the Astros as the ones to go 4 deep. Why? Mike Scott gets to pitch Game 7, Bob Knepper stays out of Fenway, and the Astros have a righty 4th starter they traded for for such a time as this - instead of lefty Jim "2 silhouettes on" DeShaies (what does it say about a guy you remember more for his Chris Berman nickname?) you have Danny Darwin.
Darwin does well, but Hurst gives up only 1 run through 7.1 innings, and Al NIpper comes out refreshed to get a crucial out or two. The bullpen holds - 3-1 or 3-2 Red Sox is the final.
Clemens versus Ryan in Game 5 - the matchup everyone wanted to see. Series tied at 2. Clemens pitched very well his 2nd start till he developed a blister IIRC - would he here? I don't know, but Game 5 in Boston is not Game 6 in New York. However, he'd also be on short rest, so he might get taken out after 7 anyway, just in case it goes to a game 7. Boston's bullpen wasn't that great, so I'd say in a tie game the Astros win it with Ryan going longer, maybe the distance since he's on 4 days rest.
Besides, we haave to have some managing decision for people to question from McNamara, right?
Game 6 features Boyd getting his wished for 2nd Series start. He does better - and Knepper, whom the Sox know pretty well now, has trouble against some of the righty bats; with Boston used to coming from behind, they use a lot of their bullpen and the Red Sox pull out a victory.
Game 7 is Hurst versus Scott for all the marbles.
Hurst did well on 3 days- rest in OTL's Game 7, but here it's his 2nd straaight one. However, unlike OTL, he has Roger Clemens coming in to relieve him if he struggles. A Clemens who would be throwing his usual bullpen outing on this day if it were the regular season, except now he has to go all out. So, if Hurst is throwing blanks and then gets in a bit of trouble, he's not left in to give up 3 runs and then taken out - Clemens is brought in, perhaps with a double switch. if needed. He can go a couple innings - there's no tomorrow now.
The winner? I'll let you decide, I hve to go.
