– ALDS presented by Utz, Game 3: Wed., 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 CT on TBS
George Springer– who else?– clubbed a set of crowning achievement and lefty Framber Valdez held the As to two runs in seven innings in his first career playoff start to send the Astros to a 5-2 win and a 2-0 series lead over the As in the best-of-five American League Division Series on Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
The Astros, winners of 7 consecutive roadway championship game, are one win away from advancing to the AL Championship Series for the fourth consecutive season.
– Box score
Perhaps it was inexpedient to question the Astros at any point coming into the playoffs. Even after they hopped into the postseason with a punchless offseason and an untried pitching staff in which Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole were nowhere to be discovered, Houston plainly isnt all set to take Octobers
Perhaps it was ill-advised to question the Astros at any point entering into the playoffs. Even after they hopped into the postseason with a punchless offseason and an untested pitching personnel in which Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole were nowhere to be discovered, Houston clearly isnt prepared to take Octobers off.
Game Date Time Matchup/Result TV/Highlights
Gm 1 Oct. 5 HOU 10, OAK 5 Watch
Springer contributed to his postseason legend with a two-run homer in the third inning and a solo shot in the fifth, going back-to-back with catcher MartÃn Maldonado off 2 different pitchers for a 5-2 lead. Springers 17 profession playoff homers are the most in club history and tie Nelson Cruz, Jim Thome and David Ortiz for seventh all-time in postseason history.
Gm 2 Oct. 6 HOU 5, OAK 2 Watch
In the history of best-of-five postseason series, groups taking a 2-0 lead have gone on to win the series 73 of 83 times (88 percent). The most recent team to rally from a 2-0 deficit was the Yankees against the Indians in 2017. Of the 73 teams to advance after winning the very first two video games, 49 ended up off a sweep in Game 3.
Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros considering that 2004, and for MLB.com given that 2009. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter.
Valdez, who tossed 5 innings in relief during Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Twins, quit solo homers to Khris Davis in the 2nd and Chad Pinder in the fourth before retiring the last 10 batters he dealt with, including 7 on ground balls. By pitching deep, he allowed the Astros to just utilize two reducers, keeping their bullpen in excellent shape for Game 3.
* Gm 4 Oct. 8 3:30 p.m. OAK @ HOU TBS
* Gm 5 Oct. 9 3:30 p.m. HOU @ OAK TBS
Gm 3 Oct. 7 3:30 p.m. OAK @ HOU TBS
