Home / Houston News / Astros vs. Red Sox: Can Luis Garcia leave ugly Game 2 behind to lead Houston to an AL pennant?

Astros vs. Red Sox: Can Luis Garcia leave ugly Game 2 behind to lead Houston to an AL pennant?

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Luis Garcia, whose early exit from his Game 2 start was eclipsed only by the first of two grand slams he gave up in that game, is Houston’s starter in a potential AL pennant-clinching Game 6 at home on Friday.

The Astros, who have a 3-2 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series, have two chances at punching a ticket to their third World Series in five seasons. If necessary, Game 7 will be on Saturday, also at Minute Maid Park.

Garcia left his Game 2 start last Saturday after facing just eight batters in an unforgettably eventful one inning of work. He gave up a double and a pair of walks before allowing a J.D. Martinez grand slam. He then exited in the second inning with right knee discomfort.

Manager Dusty Baker said Garcia is ready for Friday’s matchup with Boston’s Nathan Eovaldi, an Alvin native, adding his starter adjusted his delivery.

“All I can do is go on his word, go on the trainer’s word, and go on Strommy’s [pitching coach Brent Strom] word,” Baker said. “They said that he didn’t feel anything … I just hope whatever adjustment that they made that he is not thinking through the act of pitching while he is making his adjustment.”

In addition, Baker said Jake Odorizzi would be available for long relief. Odorizzi took over for Garcia in Game 2 and similarly got rocked for a grand slam.

Baker also offered an update on Jake Meyers, who hasn’t entered the series at all since injuring his shoulder in Game 4 of the AL Division Series.

“He might pinch run, pinch hit if needed, where he may not have to go out and play the field unless it’s just an emergency or maybe even left field because it’s not a very far throw,” Baker said.

Garcia has experience and momentum on his side. The 24-year-old was the pitching opener in Game 5 of last year’s ALCS, which was the second of three straight wins by the Astros during a 0-3 series comeback bid. And if it helps, platoon-mate Framber Valdez shook off a bad Game 1 by working eight innings in a Game 5 win.

And because Valdez’s start required just one bullpen arm to enter the game, Garcia’s stable of relievers have had up to two days to rest for the pivotal game.

The first pitch is at 7:08 p.m.

2021 AL Championship Series results and schedule (* – if necessary)

  • Game 1: Astros 5, Red Sox 4
  • Game 2: Red Sox 9, Astros 5
  • Game 3: Red Sox 12, Astros 3
  • Game 4: Astros 7, Red Sox 2
  • Game 5: Astros 9, Red Sox 1
  • Game 6: Friday at Houston, 7:08 p.m.
  • Game 7*: Saturday at Houston, 7:08 p.m.

 

Check Also

How a Houston cold case murder 5 decades ago during dice game was cracked

In Houston, Texas, a significant breakthrough has been made in a nearly 50-year-old cold case …