MLB podcaster claims Rangers blew golden opportunity to put Houston away: "Lost a chance to eliminate the Astros"
The Houston Astros faced an almost do-or-die matchup in the ALCS last night but came out victorious. The defending champs had lost two games at home, so a third loss in a row would have almost ended the series. They came out hot, though, and held off the Texas Rangers to earn the victory.
That slashed Texas' lead in half. A 2-0 lead is now 2-1, and the momentum could be shifting. MLB podcaster Ben Verlander reckons it is, and he says that the Rangers lost a prime opportunity to knock Houston out.
Verlander said:
"The Astros are not dead yet. That's the takeaway from tonight. The Rangers lost a chance to essentially eliminate the Astros. It wouldn't have been over, but it kind of would've been over if you go down 3-0.
"They now have the momentum on the road ... where they thrive. The Astros are so much better on the road."
For evidence of the same, look no further than a late series in Texas between thetwo teams. The Astros swept Texas in Globe Life Park, outscoring the latter handily in every game.
Last night's win wasn't a blowout, but from Martin Maldonado's single and Jose Altuve's home run, the Astros kept scoring and fending off any comeback and won 8-5. Yordan Alvarez was key once again.
The Houston Astros comeback is on
Max Scherzer was ineffective in his return off the injured list. He was supposed to be a key contributor, and bringing a former Cy Young winner into a Game 3 win with a two-game lead was supposed to yield positive results.
It did not, so the Rangers now find themselves scrambling to maintain their lead and keep the defending champions down. Houston was on the ropes, but that has changed.
If the Astros can win again, the series will take on an entirely new shape. The Rangers needed to win two of three at home, and they did not start off the series in good fashion.
What was once a dominant effort has now begun to sour, and it will be up to Game 4's starter to change that back. Andrew Heaney is expected to pitch for Texas.