MLB Postseason Wrap-Up: October 20, 2022
Thursday night featured only one game for MLB fans: American League Championship Series Game 2 between the Yankees and Astros. New York needed to win to tie the series at one game. Which starting pitcher would deliver – Framber Valdez or Luis Severino?
Houston leads series 2-0
SP: Valdez
LP: Severino
S: Ryan Pressly
Severino maneuvered out of a two-on, one out jam in the 2nd inning but could not replicate the feat in the 3rd inning. Alex Bregman powered Severino’s 98 mph cutter into the left field Crawford Boxes, driving in all three Astros runs scored in one blow.
ALEX BREGMAN LIFTS OFF FOR A 3-RUN HR???
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/2AeTvmWEio
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2022
The Bronx Bombers struck back immediately, capitalizing on Valdez’s fielding error to score two runs in the 4th inning. Josh Donaldson and Kyle Higashioka struck out to leave Gleyber Torres stranded at first base, ending the Yankees threat.
Valdez would go on to pitch three more innings, striking out a total of nine New York batters. Pressly closed the show for the Astros, striking out the side in the 9th inning. Matt Carpenter made the final out with a checked swing strike three call, the worst way to end a postseason game.
Houston’s pitching staff has outdueled New York’s in a low-scoring series. The Yankees have fewer than ten hits so far (five in Game 1 and four in Game 2) and have not been able to score more than two runs in a game. A two-run deficit looks like a commanding lead the way they are batting.
The American League competitors will travel to New York, with Game 3 on tap for Saturday at 5:07 PM ET. Friday’s offering will be Game 3 between Philadelphia and San Diego at 7:37 PM ET. The probable pitching matchup is Joe Musgrove (postseason: 1-0, 1.38 ERA) against Ranger Suárez (postseason: 0-0, 2.70 ERA).
Featured Image: Alex Bregman, infielder for the Houston Astros, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, on May 4, 2018, by Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com.
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