How Astros postseason showdown distills into two make-or-break categories
IT COMES DOWN TO THIS
06 October 2023
IT COMES DOWN TO THIS
With the Minnesota Twins set to play the Houston Astros in the ALDS at Minute Maid Park this weekend, two big factors will play a role in the outcome of the series.
Home runs and strikeouts. The Twins have hit the most home runs in the American League this season (tied with the Rangers), but they have also struck out more than any other team in 2023.
However, the Twins have also struck out more batters than any pitching staff in baseball.
Something will have to give, as the Astros have struck out at the lowest clip of any team that qualified for the postseason.
So as you watch this series play out, keep an eye on the strikeouts and dingers as they could be the keys to victory.
Plus, which player will have the better series? Carlos Correa or Jeremy Pena?
Be sure to watch the video above for the full preview of the ALDS!
Editor's note: The Twins have announced Baily Ober will start Game 1, not Joe Ryan as was initially expected.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.