Houston came through late

Astros use late offensive surge to take ALCS Game 4 and even series with Red Sox

Astros' Carlos Correa
When they needed it most, Houston's offense finally sprung to life in ALCS Game 4 in Boston to even up the series. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

When they needed it most, Houston's offense finally sprung to life in ALCS Game 4 in Boston to even up the series.

Although not technically an elimination game, down 2-1, and with the knowledge of the lack of success of teams that go down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series, the Astros knew they needed a win in ALCS Game 4 in a big way. Although they would get the first highlight of the night, things shifted back Boston's way until, in the final two innings, Houston would overtake the Red Sox for the crucial win.

Final Score: Astros 9, Red Sox 2

ALCS Series (Best of Seven): tied 2-2

Winning Pitcher: Kendall Graveman

Losing Pitcher: Nathan Eovaldi

Both teams get first-inning homers before runs become scarce

Houston got what they needed in the top of the first inning to grab the early momentum to shake off the two lopsided losses, courtesy of Alex Bregman. He launched a solo homer with two outs to put the Astros in front 1-0, sending Zack Greinke to the mound with a lead. After two quick outs by Greinke in the bottom of the first, though, Boston would quickly shift things back their way, getting a walk followed by a go-ahead two-run homer to make it 2-1 after the first frame.

Things stayed in a stalemate there into the late innings, and over that span, Houston tried to navigate getting a full game out of their strained bullpen and pitching staff. After getting through the first, Greinke would face just two batters in the second, getting one out while allowing a walk, making it through Boston's lineup one time but only getting four outs from them. Brooks Raley was first out of the Astros' bullpen, getting the final two outs of the second inning.

Javier eats up much-needed innings as the game stays close

While the Astros continued to be stymied at the plate by Nick Pivetta, they handed the ball to Cristian Javier, starting in the bottom of the third, hoping to get a few innings out of him. He did his job well, erasing a walk in the third, stranding a one-out triple in the fourth and a one-out double in the fifth. Javier stayed on the mound for the bottom of the sixth to face one more batter, issuing a walk before Phil Maton would come in and sit down three Boston batters in a row to keep it a one-run game.

Astros roar back to take Game 4 and tie series 2-2

Kendall Graveman took over in the bottom of the seventh, and against the 2-4 hitters in Boston's lineup, was able to get a 1-2-3 inning to keep the score put. On the first pitch of the top of the eighth, Jose Altuve finally gave Houston's offense a spark, drilling it for a game-tying solo homer over the Green Monster to make it 2-2.

Graveman kept going in the bottom of that inning, getting two outs to make it five in a row sat down before issuing a two-out walk, which he would erase by getting the third out against the next batter as the tied game went to the ninth. Boston opted to bring in Game 2 starter Nathan Eovaldi out of their bullpen in the top of the ninth, and he was met with a leadoff double by Carlos Correa to put the go-ahead run in scoring position.

Still on second after two outs and an intentional walk to Yuli Gurriel, Correa looked to Jason Castro to try and come through and bring him home. He did so, getting an RBI single to give the Astros their first lead since that homer back in the top of the first inning and leaving runners on the corners. Jose Altuve loaded the bases against Eovaldi, working a walk as Boston would move on to another reliever to try and end the threat.

Instead, Michael Brantley blew it open on the first pitch he saw, getting a bases-clearing double to extend Houston's lead to four runs. He would score as well, as the runs kept coming on RBI singles by Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker and another on an error, making it a seven-run frame and a 9-2 lead. Already warmed up, Ryan Pressly entered in the bottom of the inning to finish things off, and despite a couple of two-out singles, he would wrap up the massive win for Houston.

Up Next: ALCS Game 5 will get started earlier on Wednesday, with a start time of 4:08 PM Central from Fenway Park in Boston. While not confirmed, the expected pitching matchup is a rematch of Game 1 with Chris Sale for the Red Sox going against Framber Valdez for the Astros.

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Houston's pitching is leading the way. Composite Getty Image.

A month into the 2025 season, the Houston Astros have emerged as one of MLB’s most confounding teams. Their offense ranks near the bottom of nearly every key category, yet they remain competitive thanks to a pitching staff that has quietly become one of the most formidable in baseball.

Despite winning back-to-back games just once this season, Houston’s pitching has kept them afloat. The Astros boast a top-10 team ERA, rank seventh in WHIP, and sit top-eight in opponent batting average—a testament to both their rotation depth and bullpen resilience. It’s a group that has consistently given them a chance to win, even when the bats have failed to show up.

Josh Hader has been the bullpen anchor. After a rocky 2024 campaign, the closer has reinvented himself, leaning more heavily on his slider and becoming less predictable. The result has been electric: a veteran who’s adapting and thriving under pressure.

Reinforcements are also on the horizon. Kaleb Ort and Forrest Whitley are expected to bolster a bullpen that’s been great but occasionally spotty—Taylor Scott’s 5.63 ERA stands out as a weak link. Lance McCullers Jr. missed his last rehab outing due to illness but is expected back soon, possibly pairing with Ryan Gusto in a piggyback setup that could stretch games and preserve bullpen arms.

And the timing couldn’t be better, because the Astros' offense remains stuck in neutral. With an offense ranked 26th in OPS, 27th in slugging, dead last in doubles, and just 24th in runs scored, it's clear the Astros have a major issue producing consistent offense. For all their talent, they are a minus-two in run differential and have looked out of sync at the plate.

One bright spot has been rookie Cam Smith. The right fielder has displayed remarkable poise, plate discipline, and a polished approach rarely seen in rookies. It’s fair to ask why Smith, with only five Double-A games under his belt before this season, is showing more patience than veterans like Jose Altuve. Altuve, among others, has been chasing too many pitches outside the zone and hardly walking—a troubling trend across the lineup.

Before the season began, the Astros made it a point to improve their pitch selection and plate discipline. So far, that stated goal hasn’t materialized. Many of the players who are showing solid discipline—like Isaac Paredes or Christian Walker—were already doing that on other teams before joining Houston. It raises the question: are the Astros’ hitting coaches being held accountable?

The offensive woes are hard to ignore. Catcher Yainer Diaz currently owns the second-worst OPS in baseball, while Walker ranks 15th from the bottom. Even a star like Yordan Alvarez has yet to find his groove. The hope is that Diaz and Walker will follow Alvarez's lead and trend upward with time.

With so many offensive questions and few clear answers, a trade for a left-handed bat—whether in the outfield or second base—would be ideal. But with the front office laser-focused on staying below the tax threshold, don’t count on it.

For now, Houston's path forward depends on whether the bats can catch up to the arms. Until they do, the Astros will remain a team that looks good on paper but still can’t string wins together in reality.

We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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