A battle of the bullpens is on deck for Game 6
Astros playoff report presented by APG&E: ALCS Game 6 Preview
Despite the disappointing loss in Game 5, which allowed the Yankees to extend the series another game and force the teams to have a quick turnaround to travel back to Houston for Game 6 and a possible Game 7, the Astros are still in the driver's seat. By taking two of three in New York, Houston remains just one win away from ending the series to claim the AL pennant and advance to the World Series. To do so in Game 6, they'll have to win the battle of the bullpens. Here is a preview of the game:
Game Facts
When: Saturday, 7:08 p.m Central.
Where: Minute Maid Park - Houston, Texas.
TV: FS1.
Streaming: Fox Sports App.
Pitching matchup: TBD vs TBD.
Series: Astros lead 3-2.
Series schedule
| Date & Time (Central) | Location | Pitching matchup | |
| Game 1 | Yankees 7, Astros 0 | Minute Maid Park, Houston TX | Greinke (L) vs Tanaka (W) |
| Game 2 | Astros 3, Yankees 2 (11 innings) | Minute Maid Park, Houston TX | Verlander (ND) vs Paxton (ND) |
| Game 3 | Astros 4, Yankees 1 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx NY | Cole (W) vs Severino (L) |
| Game 4 | Astros 8, Yankees 3 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx NY | Greinke (ND) vs Tanaka (L) |
| Game 5 | Yankees 4, Astros 1 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx NY | Verlander (L) vs Paxton (W) |
| Game 6 | Saturday 10/19, 7:08 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston TX | TBD vs TBD |
| Game 7* | Sunday 10/20, 6:38 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston TX | Cole vs Severino+ |
* If necessary
+ Projected Starters
Game Storylines
It's up to the relievers with the series on the line
Both clubs filling a game with relievers was originally the gameplan for Game 5, had it not been postponed back a day. After taking advantage of an opportunity to have a rematch of Game 2 with Justin Verlander and James Paxton instead, that puts Game 6, and possibly the series, up for grabs for whichever collection of relievers can throw a better combined nine innings at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night.
While neither team has yet announced which bullpen arm will start the game on the mount, we can speculate who the Astros will look to for at least some portion of the game. Brad Peacock, despite making an appearance in Friday's Game 5, only had to throw eight pitches in a solid inning, keeping him available for Game 6. Houston will also lean on Jose Urquidy for part of the game, as he was the likely pitcher that would have been on the mound for Game 5 before the schedule shifted. No matter who throws the first pitch of the game, it will come down to which arm can catch a rhythm and try to eat up several innings.
Houston's bats have to take control of the game
While the Astros will try to string together nine effective innings out of their relievers, it will be for naught if they cannot do a better job at the plate than in Game 5. They went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position on Friday night and would finish the game having stranded nine runners that could have shifted the momentum of the game. They must do a better job in this crucial area to have a shot at winning what may turn into a slugfest.
While George Springer appears to have gotten back into a rhythm after his big home run in Game 4, followed by a 2-for-5 in Game 5, Houston will need more from the middle of their lineup, especially Yuli Gurriel and Yordan Alvarez. Despite generating solid contact in several at-bats, Gurriel is 1-for-20 in this series, while Alvarez is 1-for-19. The Astros will need more production from them and the middle part of this lineup to avoid wasting the scoring opportunities that could put an end to this series.
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
The Astros playoff report is presented by APG&E.
