Credit: FOX News
Monday, October 16, 2023...Game 2 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. The Rangers' offense would jump out in front with a four-run top of the first against Framber Valdez, and along with a strong start from Nathan Eovaldi, the Rangers would pull out a 5-4 win. This gives them a 2-0 series as the teams head up to Arlington to play at Globe Life Field on Wednesday.
Here is the Gameday lineups, stats, and graphics related to Game 2 for your further viewing.
Rangers vs Astros Game 2 Recap
As mentioned, Valdez and Eovaldi were the two starting pitchers for this Game 2 matchup. The Rangers rode on five singles and an error by Valdez to score their four runs, giving them momentum and confidence to ride through the rest of the game.
The top offensive performer of the game was Yordan Alvarez, who went 2-for-3, with two home runs, two runs batted in, one walk, and three runs scored. This brought his total to an impressive six home runs in six games this 2023 postseason. However, seven of the nine Rangers starters in their lineup would collect at least one hit, showcasing the well-roundedness and ability this Rangers' offense possesses.
Valdez would only last two and two-thirds innings, giving up seven hits, four earned runs, one walk, and six strikeouts. Fortunately for the Astros, their relief pitching would only combine to allow one hit and two walks in the remaining six and one-thirds innings for the rest of the game. But, the Rangers pitching would ultimately prove more clutch, most notably as Eovaldi escaped a bases load, no outs jam in the bottom of the fifth inning.
A funny moment in the game came in the top of the second inning when Valdez hit Rangers' cleanup hitter Adolis Garcia with a 90.5 mph cutter on the foot. Adolis' momentum of trying to get out of the way of the pitch proceeding caused him to stumble across the batter's box and do a cartwheel as he headed towards first base after his hit by pitch.
The Rangers take the momentum in the ALCS as they head back to their home ballpark for the teams to play again on Wednesday. Game 3 will be airing on FOX Sports 1 with Christian Javier (Astros, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) facing off against Max Scherzer of the Rangers, who is making his first pitching appearance since September 12th.
Either team winning could change the outcome of this series in a massive way. The Rangers winning puts them one win away and on the cusp of their first World Series appearance since 2011. An Astros win gives them a life line as they look to take at least two out of three games on the road to at least shift the series back to Minute Maid Park for Game 6.
Be sure to watch as Astros vs Rangers Game 3 will start at 7:03 PM Central Time on Wednesday.
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