Astros: Valdez gets Game 1, how does rest of rotation line out?

Game 4 for the Astros could go to Zack Greinke once again.

We cannot forget Zack Greinke. No active pitcher in the World Series has the history, records or statistics that Greinke has built up over his long and illustrious career.

Greinke got put into an unfortunate relief position in Game 3 of the ALDS against the White Sox, coming into the game in relief with runners on runners on the corners. He gave up a few soft grounders, and he surrendered some inherited runners.

In the ALCS against the Red Sox, with no McCullers and the completing shelling Valdez and Garcia took, there was no other choice but to turn to the veteran of eighteen seasons for Game 4. Greinke only gave up one hit to the nine batters he face, a two-run home run to Xander Bogaerts; the only runs by the Red Sox in the entire game.

Greinke seems like is prepping to start, taking part in a live batter session with the taxi squad guys.

“I like what I saw,” Strom told reporters on Sunday. “ threw all of his pitches and got his work in. I feel very, very bullish about Zack helping us this series.”

Provided that Greinke is stretched out and feeling good, he’s the type of pitcher who could conceivably knock out a complete game gem at any point.

However, it is more likely that Baker will keep Greinke on a short leash and look to piggyback Cristian Javier or Jake Odorizzi for some long-relief innings.