All eyes shift to these primetime players in Astros, Twins ALDS slugfest
STONE COLD 'STROS
09 October 2023
Coming off a big win behind starter Justin Verlander, the Astros were looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Twins on Sunday. But the Astros bats struggled against Pablo Lopez. The Twins offense got going as well, with Carlos Correa and company knocking Framber Valdez out of the game early.
The Twins would then cruise to a 6-2 victory, evening the series at one game a piece. Next up, the Astros face Sonny Gray in Minnesota, with Cristian Javier taking the mound for Houston.
The Astros are likely going to need a classic Javier performance on the road, as runs should be tough to come by against Gray. Javier has been pretty good over his last several outings, so let's hope that's the case again on Tuesday.
Sweet relief
If Cristian Javier pitches his typical 5 innings on Tuesday, the Astros will have to get plenty of help from their bullpen arms. Hector Neris was knocked around in Game 1, but don't expect that to continue.
He's been nails this season, and the club is going to need him moving forward. He was due for an underwhelming performance after being one of the main reasons the Astros won the division over the last two series of the regular season.
Hitters hit
While Yordan Alvarez has been terrific with 3 home runs in 2 games, the club could use a lift from Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. Both have combined for 2 hits in the series, and things won't get easier against Gray in Game 3.
And hitting the road might be just what the doctored ordered for the Astros. We are fully aware of how much better they are away from Minute Maid, so let's hope that's the case in Minnesota.
Don't miss the video above as we react to the first two games, and discuss what could turn the series on the road.
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Christian Walker homered for a third-straight game and the Houston Astros went deep four times in a 9-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.
Carlos Correa, Jesús Sánchez and Victor Caratini homered in a five-run first inning against Orioles starter Dean Kremer. Walker added a go-ahead two-run shot in the seventh inning, his 19th of the season, off Dietrich Enns (1-2).
The Astros banged out 11 hits and moved within a victory of their first four-game sweep since Aug. 29-Sept. 1 2024. Houston has scored 26 runs in the series after entering on a four-game skid in which they were outscored 30-2.
AJ Blubaugh (2-1) allowed two runs in four innings of relief for Houston, which began the night two games in front of Seattle atop the AL West. Bryan King allowed one run in the eighth, and Bryan Abreu worked a perfect ninth for his third save.
Colton Cowser homered and had three RBIs for Baltimore, which rallied to tie after trailing 5-0 and 7-5 but never led. Jeremiah Jackson added his first MLB homer in the fourth.
Key moment
After a nervy eighth, Abreu needed only nine pitches to shut the door, striking out Ryan Mount Castle and coaxing grounders from Cowser and Samuel Basallo.
Key stat
Walker is the second Astros player to homer in three consecutive games this season. Isaac Paredes did it April 11-13.
Up next
The Astros will go for the series sweep by sending RHP Spencer Arrighetti (1-4, 6.94 ERA) against Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers (6-2, 1.41) on Sunday.
