A battle of the bullpens is on deck for Game 6

Astros playoff report presented by APG&E: ALCS Game 6 Preview

Roberto Osuna
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Astros will look to win the battle of bullpens in ALCS Game 6

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)LocationPitching matchup
Game 1Yankees 7, Astros 0Minute Maid Park, Houston TXGreinke (L) vs Tanaka (W)
Game 2Astros 3, Yankees 2 (11 innings)Minute Maid Park, Houston TXVerlander (ND) vs Paxton (ND)
Game 3Astros 4, Yankees 1Yankee Stadium, Bronx NYCole (W) vs Severino (L)
Game 4Astros 8, Yankees 3Yankee Stadium, Bronx NYGreinke (ND) vs Tanaka (L)
Game 5Yankees 4, Astros 1Yankee Stadium, Bronx NYVerlander (L) vs Paxton (W)
Game 6Saturday 10/19, 7:08 PMMinute Maid Park, Houston TXTBD vs TBD
Game 7*Sunday 10/20, 6:38 PMMinute Maid Park, Houston TXCole 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.

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Framer Valdez recorded six strikeouts. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.

Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.

Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.

Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.

Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.

Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.

Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.

It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.

Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.

Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.

Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.

Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.

Trainer’s Room

Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.

Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.

Up Next

Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.

Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.

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