Game Thread: ALCS Game 6, Astros vs. Red Sox

Four teams remain in the 2021 MLB postseason, with both league pennants still up for grabs, but not for long.

In the American League, the Houston Astros hold a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Red Sox, putting the Sox on the brink of elimination in Game 6 on Friday. The clubs shift back to Minute Maid Park in Houston for tonight’s matchup.

In Game 5 on Wednesday, the Astros blasted their way to a 9-1 victory. Their lineup was led by Yordan Alvarez, who had three hits including a homer and a double and is now batting .421 in the series. Framber Valdez worked eight sparkling innings, a stark contrast amid a postseason in which starters around the league have gotten extremely quick hooks.

• Recap from Crawfish Boxes
• Recap from Over The Monster

Game 6 tonight features a rematch of the Game 2 starters. Nathan Eovaldi earned the win for Boston that day with solid pitching into the 6th inning, while Luis Garcia got lit up for five runs while completing just one frame.

If the Astros win tonight, they punch their ticket to the World Series. If the Sox win, then there will be a deciding Game 7 tomorrow.

Red Sox lineup (away)

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

• RHP Nathan Eovaldi

Astros lineup (home)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. LF Michael Brantley (L)
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 Chas McCormick (R)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

• RHP Luis Garcia

How To Watch

• Date: Friday, October 22
• Time: 5:08 p.m. PT
• TV: FS1