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4 keys to the Astros bouncing back to win ALCS Game 2
By Alec Brown
#3: Get to Nathan Eovaldi early
Nathan Eovaldi is one of the best playoff pitchers of his generation. Eovaldi enters Game 2 with a 6-3 playoff record and 2.70 playoff ERA.
He also enters Game 2 facing a lineup that has owned him. Aside from Chas McCormick, all of the Astros regular starters have great career numbers against Eovaldi.
The Astros collectively have a career .990 OPS against Nathan Eovaldi.
— Ryan Bokros (@ryanbokros) October 16, 2023
Notables - Brantley will likely be starting in LF tonight and has the worst long-term matchup stats.
Chas doesn't see Eovaldi well (or something) and has 4Ks in 7 ABs (small sample) - but this may be enough… pic.twitter.com/3rLkcYafL9
Last time Houston saw Eovaldi was September 5th. Like tonight, Framber Valdez toed the rubber for Houston against Eovaldi. Eovaldi lasted only 1.1 innings. Yes, he was returning from injury, but he also allowed five hits and four earned runs in only 35 pitches.
He looks much healthier now, but it is paramount the Astros jump Eovaldi, give Valdez some breathing room, and force the Rangers shaky bullpen to expend bullets early.
If we get a repeat of the Astros against Eovaldi in Game 4 of the 2021 ALCS, Houston will hit the road having tied the series at 1-1.