ALCS GAME 4: RED SOX 8, ASTROS 6
Astros come up short in Game 4, lose to Red Sox 8-6, trail in ALCS 3-1
Oct 18, 2018, 12:40 am
This play cost the Astros big time. Bob Levey/Getty Images
After a controversial call early in the game potentially erased two runs from Houston, both teams went back-and-forth with the Red Sox ultimately coming out ahead, edging out the Astros 8-6 to win the last three games and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the ALCS. The Red Sox are now one win away from eliminating Houston and moving on to the World Series.
Charlie Morton did not get far into Game 4, going just two and one-third innings during which he allowed three runs on three hits with two walks. The bullpen behind him too would fall victim to Boston's potent offense, allowing five more runs. For the Astros, George Springer and Tony Kemp hit solo home runs, Carlos Correa drove in two runs, and Jose Altuve and Josh Reddick each had an RBI as well in the loss.
The Red Sox were able to once again get runs in the first inning to set the tone their way early, getting the best of Morton in the top of the first inning. Morton hit Betts to start the game, walked J.D. Martinez with one out, then allowed a two-RBI single to Rafael Devers with two outs to give Boston the quick 2-0 lead. Springer, moved down to second in the lineup behind Alex Bregman, hit a one-out single in the bottom of the inning off of Rick Porcello. Altuve was up next, and drilled a ball to right field that made it into the first row, but Mookie Betts was able to leap high enough to contest the ball with a fan in the front row, and what arguably should have been ruled and left as a home run was instead ruled fan interference which stayed that way after a review. So instead of tying the game, the Astros would end up empty-handed in the inning, leaving it a 2-0 deficit.
Morton had a much smoother top of the second, working around a two-out walk to keep Boston from scoring any more runs. In the bottom of the inning, Reddick led off with a double, allowing Correa to trim the Red Sox lead to one run with an RBI-single off of Porcello to make it a 2-1 game. Porcello was able to get the next three batters in order to stop the threat there, though.
Andrew Benintendi missed a solo home run by just a foot or so to lead off the top of the third, but instead, it would be a double off the wall. He would move to third on another ball that Martin Maldonado let get past him, then scored on an RBI-double by Xander Bogaerts that would end Morton's night early, and bring in Josh James from the bullpen, who was able to get the last two outs of the inning. Springer hit a no-replay-needed dinger to lead off the bottom of the inning, bringing the Astros back within one run at 3-2. Altuve was next and hit one just short of a home run himself, off the top of the left field wall, but stayed on second for two outs before Reddick came through with another hit on the night, an RBI-single to tie the game 3-3 before Porcello could end the inning.
Josh James continued to throw heat in the top of the fourth, getting a couple of outs before a walk resulted in a caught stealing by Maldonado who cannoned a ball to second for the third out. Kemp gave Houston their first lead of the game, finally, with a one-out solo home run to make it 4-3 Houston in the bottom of the inning.
Just like in the third inning, it was Benintendi getting a double that set up another score, a two-out RBI single by Bogaerts that made it 4-4 off of James who remained in the game to eat up some innings. Porcello's night was done after four innings, with Joe Kelly coming in from Boston's bullpen to pitch the bottom of the fifth, and allowed a one-out single to Yuli Gurriel who then moved to second on a wild pitch. Correa was up with two outs and a chance to put Houston back ahead and came through with his second RBI of the night, a single to make it 5-4 Astros.
James continued on in the top of the sixth and after a two-out double allowed a two-run go-ahead home run to Jackie Bradley Jr. to put Boston back in front 6-5. In the bottom of the inning, Eduardo Rodriguez started the inning but was quickly pulled after a leadoff walk to Tony Kemp, with the Red Sox going to Ryan Brasier to face Bregman. Brasier would win the battle, and the next two as well, to get three outs to strand Kemp and maintain the one-run lead.
Ryan Pressly took over for Houston in the top of the seventh but was unable to get his usual dominant inning, instead, he loaded the bases with two outs, prompting A.J. Hinch to go to Lance McCullers Jr., who walked in a run before getting the final out. Brasier returned for a second inning in the bottom of the seventh, but it was Marwin Gonzalez who won the first at-bat with a bloop single to lead things off. Brasier was able to get the next two outs on fly balls, then Carlos Correa hit a double to the right-field corner to put runners on second and third and bring in another reliever for Boston, Matt Barnes. Barnes would face the pinch-hitting Tyler White and strike him out looking to end the inning.
McCullers Jr. was back on the mound in the top of the eighth and allowed a one-out single to Betts, who moved to second on yet another wild pitch, then scored on an RBI single from J.D. Martinez to extend the lead to 8-5. In the bottom of the inning, Boston went to closer Craig Kimbrel. Kemp led off the inning for a single but got thrown out trying to advance to second on a perfect throw from Betts for the first out. Bregman went to first on a hit-by-pitch, then to third on a one-out double by Springer. Altuve was next, and scored Bregman on an RBI-groundout to make it 8-6, but left Springer on second with two outs. Springer would steal third, but get left stranded there as Kimbrel would get a strikeout of Gonzalez to end the inning.
Tony Sipp started in the top of the ninth, but after issuing a one-out walk then single was pulled for Collin McHugh. McHugh was able to get the final two outs thanks to an amazing diving catch from Reddick to keep it a two-run game. Kimbrel was tasked with a six-out save by coming back out for the bottom of the ninth but struggled to find the zone walking back-to-back batters with one out, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in Brian McCann. McCann flew out to right field for the second out, but Kimbrel would walk Kemp next to load the bases, bringing up Bregman. Bregman came out swinging, lining a ball to left field, but Benintendi would play the hero, making a diving catch to save the game for the Red Sox.
Game 5: The final game in Houston, and possibly the series, will be tonight at 7 p.m. Central, and can be seen again on TBS. We know that it will be ace Justin Verlander going for Houston, who was a part of Houston's only win of this series so far in Game 1. Boston's starter has not yet been named, as it's uncertain if David Price will be available after warming up in the bullpen during the late stages of Game 4. In any case, the Astros will have to win three straight to take the series and advance, and this is likely their easiest matchup of the possible remaining three games.
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May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
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