|
AJ Jones – Sports Director
“It Wasn’t Pretty But...”
Houston Astros
It wasn’t pretty but the Astros finished off the Minnesota Twins 3 games to 1 in the ALDS to advance to their 7th ALCS in a row. That’s the 2nd longest streak in MLB history.
Game 1 was encouraging at first with Justin Verlander looking like the play-off ace he’s always been: 0 runs, 4 hits with 6 Ks over 6 innings of work. But then the bullpen gave up 4 runs & 2 HRs after Verlander left the game. Sure, they held on for the 6-4 win, but it wasn’t pretty.
Game 2 was just the opposite. Framber Valdez got rocked early and chased after giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in just 4 1/3 innings and the Stros fell 6-2. Former Astros SS Carlos Correa had plenty to say following that game, “I would be lying if I said no,” he said. “It’s cool when you do it against your former team.” Those comments in themselves weren’t pretty.
Game 3 was all Astros thanks to 4 HRs, 2 by Jose Abreu and an amazing pitching performance by Cristian Javier who only allowed 1 hit, 0 runs and struck out 9 over 5 innings of work. The Stros 9-1 win kept Correa quiet following that one.
The Stros wrapped it up by holding on for a 3-2 win in game 4 thanks another 2-run HR by Abreu and great pitching by Jose Urquidy. That win wasn’t pretty, but it locked up their 7th trip to the ALCS and sets up and all Texas & ALW match up with the red-hot Texas Rangers who are 5-0 in the playoffs. Pretty or not, the Astros will have to find a way this next round.
|
|
Photo credit: The Falcoholic October 8, 2023
|
|
|
The Texans (2-3) were oh so close to winning their 3rd game in a row for the 1st time since 2018 but unfortunately a 37-yard FG by the Falcons as time expired made sure that did not happen. So, the questions are, “What did & didn’t happen?”
QB CJ Stroud wasn’t the problem. In fact, he not only had another productive game: 249 yards with 1 TD & 0 INTs, but he also set the NFL record for the most pass attempts (177) without an interception to start a career. The O-Line also didn’t allow him to be sacked for the 3rd game in a row. So, there’s that…
Some say the offense had to settle for too many FGs and not enough TDs. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans said, “We were in situations where we could get points and we didn’t. We had to kick field goals when we were in those positions." Not a good recipe for success in this league.
|
Others say the offense isn’t utilizing a run scheme that best suits the team’s RB1 Dameon Pierce. New OC Bobby Slowik is running a zone run scheme that requires a back to make some quick cuts. Pierce is a power back who’s only averaging 2.9 yards per carry this season.
Still others say that the Texans’ defense couldn’t keep the Falcons out of FG position after the offense gave them the lead with less than 2-minutes to play. The D allowed Falcons’ QB Desmond Ridder to go 5 for 5 on the final drive which of course led to the game winning FG.
Whatever the actual reason was or wasn’t, the Texans will have to figure it out quickly. The Saints (3-2) come to town Sunday fresh off dog walking the Patriots.
|
|
