A chance for Houston to go up 2-0
ALDS Game 2 Preview: Astros vs. A's
Oct 5, 2020, 10:36 pm
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Astros Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa
After facing a 3-0 deficit in Game 1, Houston's offense roared to life to double up the A's 10-5 to start the ALDS with a win. The Astros now have the opportunity to sit squarely in the driver's seat if they can take the commanding 2-0 lead in the series with a victory in Tuesday's Game 2. Here are some quick facts about the game:
Game Facts
When: Tuesday October 6th, 3:37 PM Central
Where: Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, California
TV: TBS
Streaming: Watch TBS App
Pitching Matchup: Framber Valdez vs. Sean Manaea.
Series: HOU leads 1-0.
Series Schedule
| Date & TIme (Central) | Pitching Matchup | Home Team | |
| Game 1 | Astros 10, A's 5 | Lance McCullers Jr. vs Chris Bassitt | A's |
| Game 2 | Tue 10/6, 3:37 PM | Framber Valdez vs. Sean Manaea | A's |
| Game 3 | Wed 10/7, 2:35 PM | TBD vs TBD | Astros |
| Game 4* | Thu 10/8, 2:35 PM | TBD vs TBD | Astros |
| Game 5* | Fri 10/9, 2:35 PM | TBD vs TBD | A's |
All games played at Dodger Stadium.
* If necessary
Game Storylines
Houston needs to get to Manaea and keep Oakland's bullpen on their heels
Sean Manaea had just two starts of six or more innings in the 2020 regular season: a six-inning three-run start against the Dodgers on September 23rd, and a seven-inning one-run start against the Astros on September 10th. He allowed runs in every game and went five innings or less in seven out of eleven.
Houston can grab significant control of this series if they can knock Manaea out early. Oakland had to use seven relievers in Game 1, so they will not only be hard-pressed to finish another long bullpen game, but it could weaken their bullpen to dangerous levels for games three and beyond, if necessary. It starts with George Springer, after a 4-for-5 day and RBI in Game 1, who can set the tone early with a big swing to start the game.
Take what Valdez gives you
Oakland got after Lance McCullers Jr. in a hurry in Game 1, especially the second time through the order. He allowed eight hits to Oakland over his four innings, while Houston's bullpen held the A's hitless over their five, allowing just one baserunner via a walk. Things may go differently for Framber Valdez, Houston's best pitcher of late, including getting the win in five innings of relief for Zack Greinke in ALWC Game 1. In ALDS Game 2, the Astros should take what Valdez can give them, then trust their bullpen to take it the rest of the way.
Be sure to check SportsMap after the final out for an in-depth recap of the game, and follow me on Twitter for updates and reactions throughout each playoff game: @ChrisCampise
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.