Carlos Correa: Astros not motivated by proving people wrong after cheating scandal

The Houston Astros advanced to their fourth consecutive American League Championship Series on Thursday after an offseason full of hatred from baseball fans around the country due to their sign-stealing scandal. 

Shortstop Carlos Correa was a big reason why the Astros were able to move on to the ALCS. The 26-year-old went 7-for-14 with three home runs and 11 RBI in four games against the Oakland Athletics. Correa, who called out critics before the ALDS, revealed that the team isn't motivated by trying to prove people wrong. 

"Absolutely not," Correa said when asked if the Astros are driven by their doubters, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "We're motivated because we want to win. We want to be able to bring another championship to the city of Houston."

The Astros made the playoffs this year with a regular-season record below .500 after three consecutive 100-plus win campaigns from 2017-19. 

Houston swept the heavily favored Minnesota Twins in the wild-card round before defeating the A's in four games. The Stros did so without the likes of star pitcher Justin Verlander and closer Roberto Osuna. 

The Astros will be the underdogs against the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, but if they play like they have recently, then they very well could prove their critics wrong.