ALCS GAME # 1 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021 - BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS

[markj]

8:07PM Eastern

Red Sox

Chris Sale (L)

1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF
2. Kyle Schwarber (L) 1B
3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B
5. J.D. Martinez (R) DH
6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
7. Alex Verdugo (L) LF
8. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B
9. Christian Vazquez (R) C

Astros

Framber Valdez (L)

1. Jose Altuve (R) 2B
2. Michael Brantley (L) DH
3. Alex Bregman (R) 3B
4. Yordan Alvarez (L) LF
5. Carlos Correa (R) SS
6. Kyle Tucker (L) RF
7. Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
8. Chas McCormick (R) CF
9. Martin Maldonado (R) C

Gametime Temp: 79°F
Chance of Precip: 0%

[Bill-806]

LOOKING FOR CHRIS SALE TO SET THE BAR , GET US STARTED ON THE RIGHT FOOT !!!  6 INNINGS WOULD BE GREAT !!  thumb_u thumb_u iono iono

[longgame]

Gotta love it when there is only one game in baseball tonight and our team is playing in it! 

Seems to me that in 2018 our path was beating the Yankees, beating the Astros and beating the Dodgers so we're right on track, taking on TB along the way for practice.

[Sea Dog 23]

Word from Houston, their ace McCullers won’t pitch this series.  Replaced by Jake Odorizzi.  Sox dropped Barnes and Davis, replaced by Darwinzon and Sawamura.

[longgame]

Here’s how Boston’s ALCS roster breaks down…

Right-Handed Pitchers

Ryan Brasier
Nathan Eovaldi
Tanner Houck
Adam Ottavino
Nick Pivetta
Hansel Robles
Hirokazu Sawamura
Garrett Whitlock
Left-Handed Pitchers

Darwinzon Hernandez
Martin Perez
Eduardo Rodriguez
Chris Sale
Josh Taylor
Catchers

Kevin Plawecki
Christian Vazquez
Infielders

Christian Arroyo
Xander Bogaerts
Bobby Dalbec
Rafael Devers
Travis Shaw
Outfielders

J.D. Martinez
Hunter Renfroe
Kyle Schwarber
Alex Verdugo
Infielders/Outfielders

Enrique Hernandez
Danny Santana

[longgame]

I'm expecting Cora to wait until the last minute to release his lineup, just because.  Let the head games begin. 

Interesting with Sale starting and it makes a lot of sense.  There's a chance that Sale will need to come out early and that means that someone like Pivetta or Houck would be needed.  Presumably there's a less chance of needing them with Eovaldi, so you basically have those guys back by Monday or Tuesday depending on how much they end up throwing.  Let's hope it's not needed in the first place.

A great storyline to watch will be how old school Dusty Baker lines up with Cora.  Cora is certain the epitome of the modern day playoff manager.  Baker, while very successful, has different instincts.  I think the edge goes to Cora, but the Sox need to be in the game for that advantage to mean much.

The real key is if the Sox pitching can hold Houston to about 5 runs per game as they did with TB and not fall behind early. 

[longgame]

I was wondering if Cora may change things up. Some people thought Dalbec may start vs. a RHP.  Going with the tried and true at this point makes sense though.

[longgame]

I found a 2004 Sox WS Champs shirt to wear tonight!

[MongoLikeSox]

2-1/2 hours or so. Starting to get anxious for it. 

[markj]

Damn GIDP cost them at least a run if not two.

[markj]

So much for Sale correcting his mechanics.

[markj]

Another damn GIDP.

[markj]

Almost another GIDP, except Altuve muffed it. Sox up 3-1 now.

[markj]

What was that swing from Verdugo? It was way outside and almost in the catcher's mitt when he swung. Like it ws an afterthought or something.

[longgame]

Sox hit into two DPs, Sale stinks and the Sox lead 3-1 and chase the Houston starter. 

What was that they were saying in the pregame about the vaunted Astros defense?