ALCS GAME 4 AT A GLANCE
Astros-Red Sox Game 4 Preview: Time to right the ship
Oct 17, 2018, 7:18 am
With their backs being pushed closer and closer to the wall, Game 4 is an important one for the Astros. They'll get the chance to tie the series up tonight and make it a best-of-3. Check our recap right after the final pitch for the highlights of the game: |
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Minute Maid.
TV: TBS.
Streaming: TBS App.
Pitching matchup: Charlie Morton vs. Rick Porcello.
Series: Red Sox lead 2-1.
The breakdown: The Astros will have to flip the momentum from the last two games to hold the Red Sox down in tonight's game long enough to build a lead they can hold on to. The best way they can accomplish that is by taking advantage of the pitching matchup. Charlie Morton, who will take the mound for the Astros, will be coming off an extended period of rest, his last in-game action coming in a tune-up start to finish the regular season on Sept. 30. Rick Porcello will be starting for Boston, and he, on the other hand, has already seen his fair share of the 2018 postseason with one five-inning start against the Yankees in their ALDS-clinching Game 4 win, and two relief appearances, most recently on Sunday where he threw a scoreless frame. Look for the Astros to try and manufacture some early runs to put stress on Porcello and get to the Red Sox bullpen early, meanwhile giving Morton some run support to go deep into the game to limit innings from their own relievers.
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 | Astros 2, Red Sox 8 | Minute Maid | Keuchel (ND) vs. Eovaldi (W) |
Game 4 | Tonight, 7:30 PM | Minute Maid | Morton vs. Porcello |
Game 5 | Thursday 10/18, 7:00 PM | Minute Maid | Verlander+ vs. TBD |
Game 6* | Saturday 10/20, 4:00 PM | Boston | Cole+ vs. TBD |
Game 7* | Sunday 10/21, 6:30 PM | Boston | TBD vs. TBD |
* Games 6-7 are if necessary.
+-projected starters.
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.
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