They were a punching bag no more.
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The gritty Kansas City Royals have recaptured the imagination of fans throughout a community that practically ignored the sport for too many years while being “painted red” to honor its more successful football team.
The Astros muscled their way through the season. “I think we needed to add a few belief”.
The Astros hit 230 home runs in 2015, second in Major League Baseball only to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Could the Astros be this postseason’s Cinderella? “There are a lot of similarities in their team and our team, and it should make for a good matchup”.
Ventura will pitch Game 1 on Thursday against Collin McHugh. McHugh was almost out of baseball after struggling with the Mets and failing to catch on with the Rockies.
Can these Astros pull a last-year’s Royals by defeating this year’s version?
Game 2 could be even more interesting. Johnny Cueto has a 3.24 ERA in his last four starts. “Both teams play with a lot of passion and energy”.
Watch out for Royals closer Wade Davis.
So although the season numbers don’t look great, there is good reason for that. Wade Davis will handle closing duties in Holland’s absence leaving the eighth inning to Kelvim Herrera. Last October Yost routinely relied on his bullpen for at least three innings every night. Don’t give up homers. He protected a three-run lead with a pair of strikeouts. Don’t be surprised to see the Astros come out swinging and win one, if not both, of these games in Kansas. Kansas City is determined to prove last season was not a fluke.
“What I’ve learned about our guys is that we have enough power to hit the ball out of any ballpark”, Hinch said. They strikeout. It happens.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. If you’re Houston, you don’t want to take any chances. As opposed to the Royals, who are often just looking for a solid five or six innings. Lorenzo Cain (.307, 101 Rs, 16 HRs, 72 RBIs, 28 SBs) continued his strong season Sunday, going 3 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. The biggest involves All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, who has worn a brace protecting the strained ligament in his left thumb during practice in recent days.
The Houston Astros might just be the real deal. The second Wild Card Game takes place Wednesday night in Pittsburgh, PA as the Pirates host the Chicago Cubs and National League Cy Young contender Jake Arrieta. Texas has been one of baseball’s hottest teams since the All Star break thanks to an offense powered by the resurgent Prince Fielder, Shin Soo Choo and Adrian Beltre. That figure is the lowest in the league.
INFIELDERS (6): Christian Colon, Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer, Kendrys Morales, Mike Moustakas, Ben Zobrist. They allegedly acquired an ace at the trade deadline.
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If the AL leaders in stolen bases continue to run, Perez will be the one to stop them. “It’s something that we’ve been waiting for, for a long time, obviously, and it’s finally here”.
