Photo credit, MLB Wallpaper/Judi Yarnall

The Astros walked onto Globe Life Field looking to exit better than it entered. It did so by taking three out of four games from the Texas Rangers.

Dusty Baker mentioned, “We got what we wanted, three of four. We also would have been good with all four.”

Houston won game one, 5-3, lost game two, 5-2, and bounced back, winning game three and four by a combined score, 17-14.

Though Houston held a 10-2 lead late in game four, the Rangers scored nine unanswered runs to grab the advantage, 11-10 entering the top of the ninth inning. The Astros responded with two RBI doubles by Jose Abreu and Chase McCormick to retake the lead, 12-11 and never looked back. 

That allowed Houston to draw within three games of the AL West division-leading Rangers. Texas held a five game lead over the second spot Astros entering the four-game series. However, Ranger fans expected more from a team who have held the top spot all but one day this season.

Even after the pitching production has dropped, the offense has been unpredictable while injuries have taken its toll. Still, the backup players have stepped up, solidifying the Astros as a force to be reckoned with. 

The injury bug has reared its head in the Astros organization—a few things to consider in its drop-off. Justin Verlander signed a two-year $86 million contract with the Mets.

Lance McCullers, Jr. (forearm) is out, Jose Urquidy (shoulder), Michael Brantley (shoulder) and Yordan Alvarez (oblique). Luis Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery and Will Wagner underwent surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his right hand. Altuve has only played in 29 games this season because of an early season oblique injury. Yet the Astros continue to compete.

Both teams respect the talent of what each team poses. It’s no fluke to what the Rangers have accomplished this season. At different times during the season, it had four guys batting over .300 and several others over .280. Its pitching has strengthened with the addition of arms like Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Jon Gray, and Martin Perez.

Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Jon Gray, and Martin Perez.

Ranger fans have many reasons to fill the stands, as all four games sold out. Despite home-field advantage, Houston fans showed its support as well.

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After 73 pitches, Lance McCullers Jr. departed the game earlier than expected. He suffered tightness in his right forearm. Still, Houston’s manager Dusty Baker kept the rotation flowing in a favorable direction by making the necessary adjustments.

McCullers lasted four innings, but the bullpen backed his efforts with a gym and Carlos Correa lined a two-out, two-run double to left field, pushing Houston ahead 2-1, to erase the Chicago White Sox, 10-1 while advancing to its fifth consecutive ALCS, in-game four of the best of five series in the ADLS on Wednesday evening at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The Astros will meet the Boston Red Sox in games one and two on Friday at 7:07 P.M. and Saturday at 3:20 P.M. in the best of seven series of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park.

The victory adds another keystone to the Astros collection, advancing to its fifth straight American League Championship Series. The Astros have accomplished the feat eight times.

Correa’s two-run double scored Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, who drew passes to reach base. The Astros led 2-1 and never looked back.

White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon, who pitched two and 2/3 innings, surrendered three hits, walked two, saw his day end after Correa’s double to left field.

McCullers, who pitched four innings, surrendered a single and two walks before Gavin Sheets bounced a home run off the top of the center-field wall as Chicago led 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning. By the time the Astros ace left the field, he gave up five hits, four strikeouts, and three walks.

Over the next three innings, Astros relievers Yimi Garcia and Phil Maton recorded eight outs while giving up a single before Ryne Stanek, Kendall Graveman, and Pressly shut the door.

In need of an extra-base hit lingered on the minds of White Sox players. Chicago managed three base runners through the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.

No one saw this coming with such a talented bunch of young players. But as one coach mentioned, that’s why the game is played on the field.

Altuve and Brantley led Houston with three hits each which included a 14 hit total team effort.

Kyle Tucker spurred a three-run fourth inning when he singled to left field, stole second and third base, and scored on Martin Maldonado’s single up the middle. Altuve continued the attack with a single to right field, chasing White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech from the game. Bregman doubled to left, scoring Maldonado and Altuve before Garrett Crochet fanned Yordan Alvarez to end the inning. The Astros led, 5-1.

Houston added a run in the sixth and seventh before Altuve cushioned the lead, 10-1 with a three-run home run over the left-field wall.

Yuli Gurriel led off the top of the ninth with a single, but Tucker’s fielder’s choice erased Gurriel. Maldonado struck out after Chas McCormick drew a base on balls, and Altuve laid into a 99 mph fastball over the plate.

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