The Houston Astros have defeated the Cleveland Indians in Game 3 of the ALDS completing the sweep of the Indians, eliminating them. The reigning World Series Champions will go on to face the winner of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. The Astros took Game one 7-2, Game two 3-1 and Game three 11-3. Game three was a close 2-1 game until the Astros bats woke up in the seventh and 8th innings to combine for nine runs scored.
After Dallas Keuchel was pulled after five innings allowing two runs on four hits, the Astros bullpen dominated in Game three. Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers Jr., and Will Harris pitching 4 innings only allowing 3 hits and one run which came on a wild pitch by Harris in the ninth inning. For the Astros, their success came from their pitching being dominant and the hitters bats remaining hot when they really needed it.
When it comes to pitching, the Astros got five no-hit innings out of Justin Verlander in Game one followed up with Gerrit Cole going seven innings only allowing three hits and striking out twelve. The whole series, the bullpen was lights out only allowing one run which came on a wild pitch in the ninth inning of game 3. The offensive output of the Astros was lead by Alex Bregman, George Springer, and Marwin Gonzalez combined for a total of 12 RBI’s. Springer continued his postseason tear of home runs hitting two more during the three-game sweep bringing his career postseason total to ten home runs.
On the other side of the diamond, the Cleveland Indians struggled during the series, they saw their bullpen plunder and lineup fail to get much started. Each of the three Indians starters combined to give up fifteen hits and seven runs in a span of fifteen innings pitched. The Indians bullpen was not much better, they struggled in all three games accounting for the other fourteen runs that were scored by the Astros. Offensively the Indians only produced a total of six runs on thirteen total hits when seven of them came in Game three.
The Houston Astros now await their opponent from the other ALDS series currently underway. The Yankees coming off a wildcard win are looking to get an advantage over the Red Sox who finished with the best record in baseball this year.
