For the fifth year straight, the Houston Astros will be going to the AL Championship Series. Their October-tested stars led them.
Altuve scored four runs and hit a home run for three runs. Houston defeated the Chicago White Sox 10-1 in Game 4 of their AL Division Series.
Correa stated, “We don’t get tired of these moments.” They’re special and we do our best when October arrives.
Bregman and Correa each scored a run as the Astros rebounded from Sunday’s 12-6 loss. They continued to play their relentless baseball style. Michael Brantley had three hits, and two RBIs.
Altuve and his team will next face Alex Cora, former Astros bench coach and the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday in Houston. Tampa Bay was eliminated by the Red Sox with a 6-5 win in Game 4 Monday night.
Altuve stated, “We’re playing another great team.”
Houston is hosting its second ALCS game under the 72-year old manager Dusty Baker. His club beat Tony La Russa, 77, in Chicago. Baker took over for A.J. Hinch was fired following the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal, which also led to a one year ban for Cora.
After Houston reliever Kendall Graveman had hit Jose Abreu in the eighth inning, a testy La Russa confronted umpire Tom Hallion. Abreu was plunked 22 more times in the regular season.
La Russa stated, “There is a character selection there that they should answer to for.” “Stupid too.
“I will be interested to find out if they admit it. If they refuse to admit it, they are very dishonest.
Baker, who sparred with La Russa before, stated that his team didn’t throw at Abreu in an intentional way.
Baker stated that there was no reason to strike Abreu. Baker said, “He hadn’t done anything to me.”
Gavin Sheets scored for Chicago, making him the third rookie to hit a home run in postseason games. Carlos Rodon was struck in the third inning and left with eight runners.
The White Sox lost the first round in 2020 playoffs. They dropped two of three games in Oakland. The franchise had never been to consecutive postseason appearances before this year.
It was a great ride. Rodon stated that the ride ended a little too soon.
After winning the 2017 championship, the Astros are now seeking the second title. This title still evokes strong reactions around the game. It was won in 2017 after the team was penalized for using electronic signs to steal.
Guaranteed Rate Field’s crowd chanted “Cheater!” Cheater! was chanted at times by the crowd at Guaranteed Rate Field during the Chicago games. White Sox relief Ryan Tepera suggested late Sunday night, that Houston might have stolen signs from Games 1 and 2.
The Astros were used to hearing boos from fans since this season and they brushed it off.
Baker stated, “We have been continually bombarded with negatives, especially while on the road.” “But these guys, he says, come to play and love one another.”
Houston was put ahead by Correa with his third-inning double, scoring Houston. Rodon pulled Rodon’s 0-2 fastball into the left field corner. Astros loaded bases with two walks and a fastball to Altuve. This drew a round of applause from the crowd of 40.170.
Correa pointed to his left wrist, then he pounded his chest loudly and shouted “It’s mine!” after scoring the big hit in his 67th postseason game.
“You know when it is, baby. After the win, Correa stated that it was October. “So yeah, that was a happy moment for me.”
Rodon was done. He was tired and sore from shoulder pains. After another extended break, Rodon was able to run his fastball up into the 90s once again and was charged with two runs as well as three hits in his first playoff appearance.
La Russa stated, “He gave us all he had.”
Houston added three more runs in the fourth to make it a 5-1 lead. Kyle Tucker singled, stole second and third (the latter without throwing), before being tripped by Martin Maldonado’s initial hit of the series.
Bregman brought in Altuve and Maldonado with his two-out single on a Garrett Crochet pitch. The inning was ended by the left-handed relief pitcher who struck out Yordan Alvarez (lefty-batting).
Lance McCullers Jr. was left with right forearm tightness after four innings of effective pitching, despite the big hits by Correa & Bregman. Yimi Garcia was the winner with three outs.
McCullers pitched six scoreless innings in Houston’s 6-1 win in Game 1. It would be a huge blow to the Astros if he is unable to play in the ALCS.
He said, “I don’t believe it has anything to with my ligament.” “We’ll just have to wait and see how I feel tomorrow, and if any imaging is done, such things.”
Houston’s grand day was punctuated by Altuve’s 19th postseason homer of his career, a three-run hit off All-Star closer Liam Hendriks (9th).
Altuve stated, “We’ve been there five times.” “And we just try and pass it along to the guys getting here for their first time.”
Sheets’ second drive bounced off the wall and was overturned. Astros center fielder Jake Meyers, who was trying to make a jumping grab, crashed into the wall and was then left with left shoulder discomfort.
Luis Robert, the White Sox’s center fielder, was injured in a fall and left the team with right leg tightness. The Astros subsequently reached the seventh inning.
