How Dusty Baker plans to attack Mariners in must-win game for Astros
GAME PLAN
27 September 2023
GAME PLAN
It all comes down to this. If the Astros are able to come away with a victory on Wednesday night, they control their own destiny moving forward. But if they fall to the Mariners, they will likely have to sweep Arizona and get some help from the Rangers to have a chance at the postseason.
How big is Wednesday's game?
If the Astros lose, they would have to sweep Arizona if the Mariners just split the four games with the Rangers to finish ahead of Seattle.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 27, 2023
The Astros are currently a half game up on Seattle, but a loss tonight would push Houston out of the final wild card spot and give the Mariners a leg up.
How will Dusty deploy his hitters in the biggest game of the season?
Tonight's lineup is missing several key pieces to the Astros' offense. Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz. McCormick might be out of the lineup due to getting hit by a pitch on Tuesday night. And Diaz's only shot at playing was hitting DH, with Martin Maldonado catching for Framber Valdez as he has done all season.
Baseball at night.
🕗: 8:40 PM
📺: @ATTSportsNetSW
📻: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM pic.twitter.com/8lSDFeq8Xc
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 27, 2023
In what could be a silver lining, Michael Brantley has returned to play left field, with Yordan Alvarez sliding over to the DH spot. And once again Dusty Baker is sticking to his guns with Jose Abreu hitting 5th once again.
Let's hope Framber Valdez has one of his classic performances, because runs could be tough to come by if the top 4 guys in the lineup don't come through with big performances.
Let's go get this one! Go Astros!
Astros manager Joe Espada threw around the word “Ace” when talking about Hunter Brown after his start against the A's.
Do you believe Brown is ready to be in that conversation?
Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's Paul Gallant and Joe George share their thoughts on Brown and the Astros rotation.