Dusty Baker wasn't lying about big adjustments to Astros Game 3 lineup
THAT'S BOLD
18 October 2023
Uncle Mike is hitting second Wednesday night. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
The Houston Astros have been struggling to get their bats going through the first two games of the ALCS, so manager Dusty Baker hinted some changes could be coming, and with Kyle Tucker specifically.
Our ALCS Game 3 lineup.
đź•–: 7:03 PM
đź“ş: @FS1
đź“»: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM pic.twitter.com/fphK8B9Wuv
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 18, 2023
Tucker hit 3rd in Game 2 of the ALCS, but he finds himself down in the 6 spot for Game 3 against Max Scherzer. One of the other changes to the lineup involves Michael Brantley. Brantley has been vaulted up to the number two spot, with Bregman now hitting 3rd.
The other big takeaway from tonight's lineup is the absence of Chas McCormick. McCormick had some rough at-bats in Game 2 of the ALCS, so Baker is opting to give Mauricio Dubon a shot in center field for Game 3.
Dubon will hit 7th behind Kyle Tucker. McCormick is actually hitting over .300 for the postseason, so he's actually playing better than it appears. However, Dubon is also one of the Astros four hitters hitting over .300 in the playoffs, so hopefully he continues to have more success on Wednesday night.
At the end of the day, the Astros will need their marquee players to step up if they want to secure a victory and eventually even the series with the Rangers. Go 'Stros!
It wasn’t just a win — it was a glimpse into the Astros’ future
Jun 27, 2025, 10:43 pm
Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/xZ9dvfZYTs
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
3-run Yainer Bomb!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/4zku17xsR0
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.
Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston’s lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.
Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.
Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.
Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.
Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.
Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.
Key moment
Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.
Key stat
Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.
Up next
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
