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A game is just that, a game. But in a five-game series, that means a lot for the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox, because winning the first game of the tournament means that the defending champions of the game will not be able to play. last year and the winners of this year's MLB have to divide players into four parts. the American league championship series. Both teams have won more than 100 games. Can they earn two more points and set up the superteam event in the American League that some have been waiting for months?
The most important thing of the day: If history is a guide, the Indians and Yankees really need to separate in the first two games to keep their hopes alive. Researcher Sarah Langs of ESPN Stats & Information notes that the teams that play 2-0 in the playoffs won the series in a proportion of 87.2% (68-10). Of the 78 teams taking a 2-0 lead, 46 of them (59%) then swept. Home teams who won the first two games of a series among the top five playoff series then won the series in 85.1% of cases (40-7).
ALDS Game 2: Cleveland Indians in Houston Astros
Carlos Carrasco (17-10, 3.38) vs. Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.88), 4:37. ET, TBS
Challenges: The Indians can not afford to get into a deeper hole than the one they've already been, not with Dallas Keuchel and an Astros pen potentially rested on the deck after the day off for Houston in Cleveland for the third match.
Four home runs, three on a double in Cy Young? Houston showed that he was ready to defeat his opponents, as last year.
The southpaw showed part of its summer form to give Boston a 1-0 lead over New York. Can Price match that with his first playoff win?
From the Wild Cards round to the World Series, we'll be covering the 2018 playoffs.
2 related
If the Indians win: The Tribe brings the series back to Cleveland with a helping hand to keep it going if it can have its offensive speed. Cleveland averaged 5.5 strokes per game at home, earning a fourth place in MLB. Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor both beat better than .560 at home.
If the Astros win: They will have another reminder of the good idea of getting Cole from Pirates in an exchange last winter. Cole will make his playoff debut as an Astros after conceding 276 career goals and 1.03 WHIP, his best career result this season.
A key statistic to know: George Springer has conceded five consecutive playoff games, the second-longest series of the season in a row with Carlos Beltrán in 2004. The only longer sequence was Daniel Murphy in six straight games in 2015.
The game that matters most: Carrasco against the Astros lineups the second and third time in order, because he maintained the opposing lineups at only 0.63 and 0.617 OPS for the second and third time in his series – while allowing 10 shots in first and second rounds. this year. Admittedly, much of this performance has been gained against weaker opponents in central AL, but if he is starting out, is gaining ground and manages to clear his way down the middle of Cleveland has more than one chance to get the series back.
The prediction: The Astros made a strong opening statement in their quest for consecutive titles with four home runs in the first game – three against Corey Kluber. I mentioned Kluber divisions in this space before this match and those of Carlos Carrasco are even more pronounced: a 2.48 ERA against teams under .500 and 5.28 against winning teams. With his fastball / slider combo, Carrasco is certainly able to shut down Houston's right-handed lineup, but I would take Gerrit Cole and the Houston pen in a low scoring game. Astros 3, Indians 2. – David Schoenfield
Second ALDS Match: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Masahiro Tanaka (12-6, 3.75) against David Price (16-7, 3.58), 20:15. ET, TBS
Challenges: A playoff series between these two historic rivals, with Price seeking his first playoff victory – he's 0-8 with a time of 5.74 – while the Yankees are looking to freeze the series? This is not an ordinary game 2, but again, this is not an ordinary rivalry. In contrast, Tanaka has a career of 1.44 ERA in the playoffs over four starts. When he returns to the series with another strong start, all bets are lost to find out which team of 100 wins is expected to win this series.
If the Yankees win: Bringing the series back to Yankee Stadium all tied up and still armed with their obvious benefits, both in alignment and in depth, is a prospect that should scare the Red Sox.
If the Red Sox win: The best guarantee to prevent the Yankees from tanning in the Bronx from killing their dream season even before playing the fifth game of the LDS round is to get Price on the game board here and now. All that helps keep Craig Kimbrel cool is a bonus; it is often necessary to bring them closer to the eighth inning, but that bodes ill for their long-term prospects in October.
A key statistic to know: The Sox have won five consecutive playoff games against the Yankees, the longest streak of any one or the other team in their playoff history. So, as there was no additional pressure on Price, will Fenway fans forgive him if he slams this sequence?
The game that matters most: Gary Sanchez against Price. On his young career, the receiver of the Yankees has a record of 6 against 13 against the veteran southpaw – with five circuits. Although his regular season may have been a disappointment, some October heroes to help extend Price's winless streak in his playoff debut would make Sanchez's failures a thing of the past.
The prediction: OK, game 1 was fun. Now, David Price's 0-8 record in nine playoff games are under pressure. Masahiro Tanaka had an excellent post – season last year, tuning only two points in 20 innings. Is there anything predictive in these numbers? Probably not. Both pitchers started well in the second half. My bet: This game comes down to the rising prices and considering the staggering results of the Boston Pen in the opening match, it's a benefit for the Yankees. They even have the series with a 4-2 win. – David Schoenfield
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