David Price pitches Boston Red Sox to the World Series

The Boston Red Sox advanced to the World Series on Thursday after defeating the defending champion Houston Astros 4-1 to clinch the American League pennant.

David Price shut out Houston on the mound, while the Boston offence delivered a pair of homers as the Red Sox locked up a berth in the World Series for the first time since 2013.

Rafael Devers clubbed a three-run homer in the sixth and JD Martinez hit a towering solo shot in the third inning for Boston, who took the American League Championship Series by four games to one.

The Red Sox will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball's championship showcase. The Dodgers lead that series 3-2 with game six set for Friday in Milwaukee.

The Red Sox are back in the Fall Classic for the first time in five years when they beat the St Louis Cardinals in six games.

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Springer stars again as Astros dominate Dodgers to clinch World Series

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Red Sox left hander Price threw six solid innings on Thursday allowing just three hits in shutting out the Astros to earn his first victory in his 12th postseason appearance.

Martinez opened the scoring with a 396-foot blast to left field for his second home run of the postseason in front of a crowd of 40,000 at Minute Maid Park. Devers also hit a homer to left which scored Mitch Moreland and Ian Kinsler.

Moreland got on base with a double to deep left field and Kinsler hit a single to right which moved Moreland over to third base.

Facing elimination, the Astros turned to their ace Justin Verlander. Verlander had a solid performance in a game one win but struggled to contain the Red Sox potent offense on Thursday.

Verlander allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

if you go

The flights

Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.

The tour

While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

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Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.