Carlos Correas walk-off homer offered the Astros a win in Game 5 of the ALCS on Thursday. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) More.
The Astros sent out Luis Garcia to the mound, a 23-year-old who had precisely one big-league start before this and had actually never pitched above Single-A before this season. The Rays opted for John Curtiss as their opener, also a rookie however 27 years old..
So this was strictly survival for both groups, with the Astros looking to survive entirely and the Rays wishing to carry on to the World Series without having to see the very best Astros pitchers again.
Now the Astros will feel restored entering into the Game 6, knowing they can beat the Rays two video games in a row– since they just did.
MUST-SEE MOMENT.
In this one, it was Correas homer as the no-doubt choice. Well provide a runner-up nod here to George Springers stunning first-inning blast. Springer likewise has a propensity for dingers on the huge phase and his are just pretty.
The Astros to-do list before Game 5 of the ALCS appeared a bit improbable: They had to beat the Rays again to stave off elimination. The Astros started off on the right foot, when George Springer homered in the first inning. Credit to Correa and the Astros, they didnt collapse when yet another thing didnt go their method in this series.
The Rays will turn back to Game 1 starter Blake Snell, who restricted the Astros to one run over five innings in a 2-1 victory. The Astros will bring back Game 1 starter Framber Valdez (he would have pitched the 10th had this video game gone that far).
The Astros order of business before Game 5 of the ALCS appeared a bit unlikely: They needed to beat the Rays again to ward off elimination. They could not let postseason super star Randy Arozarena beat them. And they needed to do all that while beginning a novice pitcher who had one previous big league start.
And then, when the Rays tied the game in the 8th inning, the Astros had one more unlikely thing to overcome. And now, wouldnt you know it, the story in this series has shifted from the Astros getting rid of wins to the Astros eeking out wins with their backs against the wall.
The Astros began off on the best foot, when George Springer homered in the very first inning. They got a two-run single from Michael Brantley in the third inning. Things were looking great till Ji-Man Choi homered in the eighth inning to reset things. Credit to Correa and the Astros, they didnt collapse when yet another thing didnt go their way in this series.
This video game brought us the best example yet of the strategic shift required in MLBs 2020 postseason format. It was Game 5 and neither team had a go-to beginning pitcher, an issue magnified by the no-days-off schedule in these bubble ballparks. Typically, a group would have the top of its rotation back at this moment, but not when there are no travel days..
WHATS NEXT.
The series rolls along with Game 6 on Friday. The Rays will turn back to Game 1 starter Blake Snell, who limited the Astros to one run over five innings in a 2-1 victory.
The Astros will restore Game 1 starter Framber Valdez (he would have pitched the 10th had this game gone that far). The 26-year-old was very remarkable, holding the Rays to two runs over six innings while setting out 8. Hes been a rock for Dusty Baker in the postseason, posting a 2.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 18 innings.
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In his still-young MLB career Carlos Correa has shown to be someone built for the most significant stages. He proved it yet once again Thursday, when his walk-off homer saved the Astros season and required a Game 6 in their ALCS against the Rays.
With the video game tied 3-3 in the ninth, Correa was among the last people the Rays wished to see at the plate. He d currently hit 5 homers this postseason and with one out, against Nick Anderson, among the Rays finest pitchers, Correa unleashed a blast to the deepest part of the ballpark.
