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Astros at Red Sox: ALCS Game 2 Preview

By Cody Poage

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Carlos Correa #1 and Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Boston Red Sox 7-2 in Game One of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Carlos Correa #1 and Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Boston Red Sox 7-2 in Game One of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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Despite a strange Game 1, the Astros emerged victorious against the Red Sox. Let’s see how Game 2 lines up.

If you’d compare the reputation of Gerrit Cole and David Price, the Game 2 starting pitchers, one could presume another potential pitchers duel. And it could be one. Or not. We have no definitive way to know the outcome. Like any baseball game or fantasy football.

The stakes are quite high for both teams. An Astros win puts the team in the driver seat. With Game 3 and 4 in Houston, the opportunity to close the series out at home is huge for Houston. If a Game 5 is necessary, it takes place in Minute Maid Park. Again, a great opportunity awaits if the Astros leave Boston with a 2-0 series lead.

Here’s the lineup for Houston.

CF George Springer

2B Jose Altuve

3B Alex Bregman

1B Yuli Gurriel

DH Tyler White

LF Marwin Gonzalez

SS Carlos Correa

C Martin Maldonado

RF Josh Reddick

Like Game 1, the lineup for Game 2 remains the same. Like I mentioned earlier, Cole takes the mound for the Astros.

The Red Sox counter with the lefty Price in hopes of tying the series at one game apiece. Honestly, Price is probably the x-factor in the ALCS. If he performs like he did against the Yankees in the ALDS, the Astros’ bats should feast. But Price did hold Houston to five runs over 12 1/3 innings this season. Not great, sure, but it’s better than his postseason numbers (0-9, 6.93 ERA in postseason starts) everyone has been citing.

Here’s how the Red Sox lineup looks for tonight.

RF Mookie Betts

LF Andrew Benintendi

DH J.D. Martinez

SS Xander Bogaerts

1B Steve Pearce

3B Rafael Devers

2B Ian Kinsler

CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

C Christian Vazquez

Devers, Kinsler, and Vasqyez replace Game 1 starters Eduardo Nunez, Brock Holt, and Sandy Leon. The Red Sox lineup only managed three hits — all singles — in last night’s game. Not surprised that manager Alex Cora decided to change up the look of the lineup against Cole.

Next. Astros, Red Sox to provide plenty of offensive firepower in ALCS. dark

For the Astros, Cole needs to start off the game strong like Justin Verlander in Game 1. If he can get into an early rhythm, Houston’s bats have a chance to wear down Boston’s pitching staff again. That said, the Red Sox did win 108 games for a reason. Game 2 may not be a ‘must-win’ for both sides, but it’ll set the stage for the rest of the series.

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