How Astros postseason showdown distills into two make-or-break categories

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.

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The Rays pounded the Astros, 16-3. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Junior Caminero hit two of Tampa Bay’s season-high five home runs and Zack Littell threw his first career complete game as the Rays sailed to a 16-3 victory over the Houston Astros Saturday.

Littell (5-5) allowed 10 hits and three runs with six strikeouts. The Rays have won each of Littell’s last seven starts and he’s 5-0 in that stretch.

The 21-year-old Caminero had a career-best four hits and drove in five runs. The performance comes after he set a career high with six RBIs on Thursday in a 13-3 victory.

Yandy Díaz, Jake Mangum and Josh Lowe also homered for the Rays, who had a season-best 18 hits and whose 16 runs tied a season high.

Díaz had a two-run shot in the third and Caminero put the Rays in front 4-3 with his solo homer to the seats in left field to start the fourth.

Tampa Bay led by 2 when Brandon Lowe extended his hitting streak to a career-long 13 games with an RBI double with one out in the sixth. Caminero followed with double to make it 7-3.

Mangum, a rookie who came off the injured list Friday, smacked a ball to the bullpen in right-center for his first career homer to push the lead to 9-3 and a two-run shot by Josh Lowe left Tampa Bay up 11-3.

There were two on with one out in the eighth when Caminero went deep again to make it 14-3 and give him his first career multi-homer game.

Jeremy Peña homered twice for the Astros, who fell to 1-2 in this four-game series.

Houston starter Colton Gordon (0-1) allowed five hits and four runs in five innings.

Key moment

Tampa Bay’s six-run seventh inning made it 11-3.

Key stat

Tampa Bay allowed four or fewer runs for the 12th straight game, which is the team’s longest streak since a 16-game stretch to end the 2021 season.

Up next

Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley (4-4, 4.38 ERA) opposes RHP Hunter Brown (7-3, 2.00) when the series concludes Sunday.

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