Astros Outshine Twins in ALDS Game 3, Secure Series Advantage

MLB Playoffs 2023: Rangers Sweep Orioles, Astros Take Series Lead

Rangers Sweep Orioles, Earn First ALCS Appearance Since 2011

In a dominant display, the Texas Rangers secured a 7-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), completing a sweep of the series and earning their first appearance in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) since 2011. The Orioles, who entered the postseason as the AL’s winningest team, had their 101-win season come to an abrupt end without a single postseason victory.

The Rangers wasted no time making their presence known in Game 3, with Corey Seager hitting a solo home run in the first inning to put Texas on the board. However, it was the explosive five-run second inning that truly sealed Baltimore’s fate. Adolis García’s no-doubter home run was the highlight of the inning, showcasing the Rangers’ offensive prowess.

Despite a late attempt by the Orioles to rally in the top of the eighth inning, loading the bases with two outs, closer José Leclerc shut down any chance of a comeback. Aaron Hicks, who had been the standout performer for the Orioles with runners in scoring position throughout the series, grounded out to first, effectively ending the game.

The Importance of Nathaniel Lowe’s 15-Pitch At-Bat

In an intriguing twist, the pivotal moment of the game may have been an out. In the second inning, Rangers’ first baseman Nathaniel Lowe had an epic 15-pitch at-bat against Orioles starter Dean Kremer. Despite ultimately lining out to left field, Lowe’s tenacity likely played a role in causing fatigue for Kremer, who threw a total of 53 pitches during his start. The next Rangers batter, Josh Jung, capitalized on this opportunity by hitting a single, setting the stage for the five-run rally that knocked Kremer out of the game.

Lowe continued to contribute to the Rangers’ offensive onslaught, hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning. His performance, combined with Nathan Eovaldi’s dominant seven-inning outing on the mound, solidified the Rangers’ victory. Eovaldi, a veteran pitcher signed by the Rangers last offseason, showcased his postseason experience with a commanding performance.

Looking Ahead: Rangers Await ALCS Opponent

With their ALDS sweep of the Orioles, the Rangers now face a four-day break before they meet the winner of the Minnesota Twins-Houston Astros series in the ALCS. Despite not having Max Scherzer and Jon Gray available for the ALDS, both pitchers are reportedly on track to return for the next round. The Rangers’ relatively formidable quartet of Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery, and Jon Gray could make them a force to be reckoned with in the ALCS.

Astros Take 2-1 Series Lead Against Twins

In another ALDS matchup, the Houston Astros took a 2-1 series lead against the Minnesota Twins with a resounding 9-1 victory in Game 3. The Astros’ bats came alive in the first inning, scoring four runs, while starting pitcher Cristian Javier delivered a stellar performance, striking out nine batters through five shutout innings.

Kyle Tucker started the scoring for the Astros with an RBI single in the first inning. José Abreu then added to their lead with a three-run home run, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Twins struggled to recover from the early deficit, with starter Sonny Gray exiting the game after four innings, having given up four earned runs.

The Astros continued to add to their lead with an Alex Bregman solo home run in the fifth inning and another run in the sixth. In the ninth inning, Abreu and Yordan Alvarez hit home runs, scoring three more runs for the Astros and putting the game out of reach for the Twins.

A Missed Opportunity for the Twins

The Twins had several missed opportunities to cut into the Astros’ lead but failed to capitalize on key moments. In the fifth inning, with the bases loaded and trailing 5-0, Max Kepler struck out looking on a high-arcing knuckle curve, followed by Royce Lewis, who struck out swinging. These missed chances to score runs proved costly for the Twins. Ultimately, they stranded nine runners throughout the game, further compounding their offensive struggles.

Looking Ahead: Can the Twins Force a Game 5?

The Twins find themselves in a must-win situation as they head into Game 4, trailing the series 2-1. They will need a strong performance from starting pitcher Joe Ryan to extend the series to a decisive Game 5. The Astros, on the other hand, have not yet announced their starting pitcher but will be looking to secure a spot in the ALCS with a win in Game 4.