Despite falling behind two games to none in the series, the A’s have felt good about their potent offense throughout. All that was missing was the dominant bullpen they grew so accustomed to shortening games during the regular season.
For the A’s to turn this American League Division Series around,
Despite falling behind two games to none in the series, the A’s have felt good about their potent offense throughout. All that was missing was the dominant bullpen they grew so accustomed to shortening games during the regular season.
For the A’s to turn this American League Division Series around, it was going to take someone from their bullpen to hold down the dangerous sluggers that comprise Houston’s lineup. Luckily for Oakland, a bright spot of the previous two losses was that All-Star closer Liam Hendriks went unused. When the A’s needed him most, a well-rested Hendriks stepped up big.
• ALDS presented by Utz, Game 4: Thurs., 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on TBS
Though the A’s slugged five home runs, it was a rare showing of small ball that put them ahead for good in a 9-7 win over the Astros in Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. Hendriks, who entered the game in the seventh, slammed the door on Houston with three scoreless innings to earn his first win of the playoffs.
In the history of best-of-five postseason series, teams with a 2-1 lead have gone on to win the series 62 of 87 times (71%). However, last season, two of the three teams that fell behind 2-1 in the Division Series — the Nationals (vs. Dodgers) and Cardinals (vs. Braves) — came back to win.
Martin Gallegos covers the A’s for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MartinJGallegos.
