ALCS GAME AT A GLANCE
Astros-Red Sox Game 3 preview: Home sweet home
Oct 16, 2018, 5:17 am
Dallas Keuchel will have the home fans behind him today. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
After the tough loss in Game 2, the Astros bring the ALCS home to Houston for Game 3 this afternoon. With the series tied, it's now a best-of-5 series, with this first of those five being of utmost importance to both teams. Check back on SportsMap right after the game for a full-game recap:
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Minute Maid.
TV: TBS.
Streaming: TBS App.
Pitching matchup: Dallas Keuchel vs. Nathan Eovaldi.
Series: Tied 1-1.
The breakdown: Inside what is sure to be a loud, roof-closed Minute Maid Park, we will see a matchup of the middle of both rotations in Dallas Kuechel for the Astros and Nathan Eovaldi for the Red Sox. Eovaldi had a great start in ALDS Game 3 between the Red Sox and Yankees, going seven full innings during which he allowed just one run as Boston went on to blow out the Yankees 16-1. Keuchel's start in Houston's ALDS Game 3 was not quite as impressive, five innings of two-run baseball including what was at the time a go-ahead home run for the Indians before Houston's offense bailed him out later in the game. That was in Cleveland, though, while this will be at home where historically Keuchel has had good success. Hopefully, we will see some vintage Keuchel with a lot of groundballs and solid defense behind him to keep Boston's offense at bay while the Astros bats score some run support behind him.
Series schedule:
| Result / Date & Time | Location | Pitching matchup | |
| Game 1 | Astros 7, Red Sox 2 | Boston | Verlander (W) vs. Sale (ND) |
| Game 2 | Astros 5, Red Sox 7 | Boston | Cole (L) vs. Price (ND) |
| Game 3 | Today, 4:00 PM | Minute Maid | Keuchel vs. Eovaldi |
| Game 4 | Wed. 10/17, 7:30 PM | Minute Maid | Morton+ vs. TBD |
| Game 5 | Thu. 10/18, 7:00 PM | Minute Maid | Verlander+ vs. TBD |
| Game 6* | Sat. 10/20, 4:00 PM | Boston | Cole+ vs. TBD |
| Game 7* | Sun. 10/21, 6:30 PM | Boston | TBD vs. TBD |
* Games 6-7 are if necessary.
+-projected starters.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
For the Houston Rockets, it's already been an exciting offseason, with the team trading for NBA superstar Kevin Durant earlier this week. The Rockets also inked extensions with big man Steven Adams and head coach Ime Udoka in recent weeks.
Apparently the action isn't slowing down as the Rockets have reportedly agreed to a contract extension with guard Fred VanVleet.
Senior ESPN NBA analyst Sham Charania is reporting that VanVleet intends to sign a 2-year, $50 million contract with Houston.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in 2026-27, sources tell ESPN. Rockets are declining VanVleet's $44.9 million team option and land the new deal with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. pic.twitter.com/rwtEUptBQT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025
Charania is also reporting that VanVleet has a player option for the 2026-2027 season.
In 60 games, VanVleet averaged just over 14 points and 5.6 assists per game last season.
This is a team-friendly deal for the Rockets that gets them below the luxury tax line, helping them avoid the repeater tax. It also opens up the full $14.1 million mid-level exception to add more talent to the roster. For VanVleet, it's more total money and an extra year of security.
__________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!