The National League takes a day off, and could probably use it, especially after the Dodgers and Mets including a controversial slide by Chase Utley that broke the leg of Mets infielder Ruben Tejada. There’s plenty of action scheduled for the American League side, with two series continuing, both in the great state of Texas.
The Royals and Astros are set to break their 1-1 series tie at Minute Maid Park, with left-hander Dallas Keuchel taking the mound for Houston. He has not lost at home this season in 18 starts.
At Globe Life Park in Arlington, the Texas Rangers can sweep the Blue Jays out of the playoffs with one more victory. It took 14 innings for the Rangers to beat the the Jays in Game 2, so whatever happens, it likely won’t be an easy afternoon. Let’s preview what’s ahead in the two ALDS, noting that the NLDS will return Monday.
ALDS Game 3: Royals at Astros: 4:10 p.m. ET on MLBN
Series even 1-1
Pitching Matchup: Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA) vs. Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA)
Edinson Volquez (left) vs. Dallas Keuchel seems lop-sided in favor of Houston. (USATSI)
It would seem the Astros have the big advantage here, considering Keuchel’s results at Minute Maid Park during the regular season: He went 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA at home. His overall stats are listed above in the capsule, but Keuchel also pitched six three-hit innings in the wild-card game to help beat the New York Yankees, continuing his Cy Young-worthy season, so he already has dipped his toes in the postseason. Keuchel faced the Royals twice in the regular season, allowing seven hits over eight scoreless innings June 30, and getting roughed up for five runs and 12 hits July 26 — one of his more ragged outings of the season. Volquez has allowed nine earned runs and as many hits in two career postseason starts, which happened a year ago with the Pirates and in 2010 with the Reds. In the small picture, he’ll be trying to prevent Colby Rasmus from hitting a home run, or even getting on base, because he’s liable to set a record if he does either. Rasmus is 4 for 9 with three home runs a 1.556 slugging percentage in the postseason so far.
Colby Rasmus has homered in three straight playoff games, and hit in six straight. (USATSI)
ALDS Game 3: Blue Jays at Rangers: 8:10 p.m. ET on FS1
Rangers lead 2-0
Pitching Matchup: Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13) vs. Martin Perez (3-6, 4.46)
Marco Estrada (left) had a strong start against the Rangers in the regular season. (USATSI)
You hear about “must-win” games. Most the time, they are not. For the Blue Jays, this one (and the next, if it happens) certainly is. MLB.com notes that clubs that have won the first two games of a best-of-five series are 42-5, and the previous team to rally from 0-2 was the Red Sox in 2003 against the Athletics. So the Rangers have probability on their side. Perez has not faced the Blue Jays this season, but Estrada allowed a run, four hits and three walks over six innings against the Rangers on Aug. 27.
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