It wasn't very long ago that the Houston Astros were absolutely awful, as difficult as that is to imagine right now.

So, in June 2014, when a Sports Illustrated cover boldly predicted the woeful Astros would not only make the Fall Classic, but also emerge as World Series champions in just three years, critics understandably laughed them off. After Saturday's ALCS Game 7 win over the New York Yankees, though, who's laughing now?

Related: Astros make modern-day baseball history with 1st AL pennant

From 2011-13, the Astros continuously limped through the regular-season finish line, with consecutive seasons of at least 105 losses, making SI's prediction that much more audacious. Furthermore, keep in mind superstar shortstop Carlos Correa - who had been drafted first overall in 2012 - was still toiling away for the club's Class-A Advanced affiliate, the Lancaster JetHawks. Correa wouldn't even make his major-league debut until June 8, 2015 - an entire year after the issue was released.

Of course, the Astros aren't the only 2017 World Series finalist to be hyped up by SI.

There was also this lofty title handed to the Dodgers earlier this season, before they went on that nasty 11-game losing streak that nobody remembers anymore:

THIS WEEK'S COVER: Led by a former journeyman, the Dodgers may be the greatest team the game has ever seen https://t.co/xz9cnad9Mj pic.twitter.com/owvvdlk42h — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 23, 2017

So, in conclusion, the prophecy-fulfilling champions are going up against the best team ever. Enjoy the World Series.