Game Thread: ALCS Game 5, NLCS Game 4

The 2021 MLB postseason would be a lot cooler if the Oakland A’s were in it, but the teams involved are sure making it as fun as possible for the rest of us. It seems like there’s a classic thriller every day, and Tuesday was no exception, with a big tiebreaking 9th inning in the American League, and a late comeback in the National League.

Both series continue on Wednesday. The Boston Red Sox host the Houston Astros one final time at Fenway Park for ALCS Game 5, and then tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves for NLCS Game 4.

Red Sox vs. Astros

Series tied 2-2

After splitting the first two games in Houston, the Astros and Sox traveled to Fenway and split the first two there too. Yesterday in Game 4, Boston led for most of the evening, but Houston tied it up in the 8th and then exploded for seven runs in the 9th to run away with a blowout victory.

• Recap from Crawfish Boxes
• Recap from Over The Monster

Game 5 today will feature a pitching rematch between the Game 1 starters. Neither of them completed three innings in their last appearance.

Astros lineup (away)

1. LF Michael Brantley (L)
2. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
3. 3B Alex Bregman (R)
4. DH Yordan Alvarez (L)
5. SS Carlos Correa (R)
6. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
7. 1B Yuli Gurriel (R)
8. CF Jose Siri (R)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

• LHP Framber Valdez

Red Sox lineup (home)

1. CF Enrique Hernandez (R)
2. 1B Kyle Schwarber (L)
3. SS Xander Bogaerts (R)
4. 3B Rafael Devers (L)
5. DH J.D. Martinez (R)
6. RF Hunter Renfroe (R)
7. LF Alex Verdugo (L)
8. 2B Christian Arroyo (R)
9. C Christian Vazquez (R)

• LHP Chris Sale

How To Watch

• Date: Wednesday, October 20
• Time: 2:08 p.m. PT
• TV: FS1

Dodgers vs. Braves

Braves lead series 2-1

Over in the NLCS, the Braves won each of the first two games in walk-off fashion at home. But the series shifted to L.A. yesterday for Game 3, and the Dodgers answered back with their own late-inning dramatics.

Atlanta took a 5-2 lead, but 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger hit a three-run homer in the 8th to tie it up. Later in the inning, 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts doubled home the go-ahead run for Los Angeles, off of former A’s pitcher and current Braves reliever Jesse Chavez.

• Recap from True Blue LA
• Recap from Talking Chop

Game 4 tonight features Julio Urias starting for the Dodgers. He went twice against the Giants in the NLDS, once for five innings with one run, once for four innings with one run. In the NLCS against the Braves he came out of the bullpen in Game 2 but blew the lead in the 8th inning.

Atlanta was going to start Huascar Ynoa, but he was scratched with shoulder inflammation. Instead, Chavez will step up as an opener, something he did for his final three appearances of the regular season with scoreless work each time.

Braves lineup (away)

1. SS Dansby Swanson (R)
2. 1B Freddie Freeman (L)
3. 2B Ozzie Albies (S)
4. 3B Austin Riley (R)
5. LF Eddie Rosario (L)
6. CF Adam Duvall (R)
7. RF Joc Pederson (L)
8. C Travis d’Arnaud (R)
9. RHP Jesse Chavez (R)

Dodgers lineup (home)

1. RF Mookie Betts (R)
2. SS Corey Seager (L)
3. 2B Trea Turner (R)
4. C Will Smith (R)
5. 3B Justin Turner (R)
6. CF Gavin Lux (L)
7. 1B Cody Bellinger (L)
8. LF Chris Taylor (R)
9. LHP Julio Urias (L)

How To Watch

• Date: Wednesday, October 20
• Time: 5:08 p.m. PT
• TV: TBS