Texas at Houston, 1:37 PM PDT, TV: Fox
RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-0, 1.32 ERA postseason) pitches for the Rangers and LHP Framber Valdez (0-1, 10.38 ERA postseason) takes the ball for the Astros. The Rangers lead the series 1-0.
Arizona at Philadelphia, 5:07 PM PDT, TBS
The first game of the series is a matchup of Zac(k)s, as RHP Zac Gallen (2-0, 3.19 ERA postseason) goes for the D-Backs and RHP Zack Wheeler (1-0, 2.08 ERA postseason) pitches for the Phillies.
Before we get to the events of this date earlier in baseball history, here’s a bit of current news which is historical in itself: the Giants have formally interviewed Alyssa Nakken for their vacant managerial job. She’s believed to be the first woman ever to be considered for an MLB manager’s position. She’s been a full-time coach for the Giants since January of 2020, and she coached first base in April of 2022. She was an outstanding softball player at Sacramento State, a three-time All-Conference first baseman and a four-time academic All-American.
- 1912 Fred Snodgrass’ 10th inning two-base error of pinch-hitter Clyde Engle’s routine pop fly in center field sets up the tying run en route to the 3-2 Red Sox victory over the Giants and a World Championship for Boston. The play, which becomes infamously known as “Snodgrass’ Muff,” is followed by his spectacular catch of a long drive hit by Tris Speaker, but the 20-year-old outfielder historically becomes known as the goat in the Fall Classic.
- 1969 The Mets, thanks to Ron Swoboda’s double and two Oriole errors in the eighth inning, win their fourth straight World Series game to become World Champions. Jerry Koosman tosses a five-hitter, beating Baltimore 5-3 in Game 5, in a contest best remembered for manager Gil Hodges winning the ‘shoe polish’ argument.
- 1983 The Orioles win their fourth straight contest against the Phillies and take the World Series in five games. Scott McGregor pitches a five-hit complete game in the 5-0 victory at Veterans Stadium, and Eddie Murray hits two home runs.
- 1999 In a game slated to be a battle between the respective aces of each team, the Red Sox crush the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS, 13-1. The dream pitching duel between Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens at Fenway Park doesn’t materialize when the ‘Rocket’ fails to get out of the third inning, giving up five earned runs on six hits.
- 2020 The sixth inning of Game 5 of the NLCS was the best of times and the worst of times for Will Smith, the Dodgers catcher, who smacks a three-run homer off Will Smith, the Braves reliever. The Globe Life Field matchup marks the first time in postseason history that features a hitter facing a pitcher with the same first and last name.
NPUT
Phillies up one game to none.
I thought we might see the shaky Kimbrel there.
We pretty much did.
We’ve seen much shakier than that.
Is Gallen the new Lance Lynn?
Game was closer that I’d’ve preferred, but the important thing is that the Trashtros lost.
I’m struggling with my rooting interests in this second game. Family’s from AZ and I lived in Phoenix and Tucson for 4+ years, but the D-backs beat the Dodgers. Good friend of mine is from Philly as is a college roommate, but I’ve only been there once, to see the Army-Navy game back in 1964 or 1965.
I don’t have a strong preference. Some of the Snakes’ youngsters are fun to watch, but I doubt their run is sustainable. I also wish Trea had remained a Dodger.
I wish he had too, but I heard him quoted a few weeks ago saying he liked living on the East Coast, so I guess that sense we had last year about his preferences was true.
We might shoulda kept U-less when we had him, you know?
Sigh…
Rangers 2-0!!!
Alvarez is a one-man wrecking ball. Without him the Astros would be lost.
Eovaldi works out of a bases-loaded nobody out situation with two K’s (including Altuve) and an inning-ending groundout from Bregman.
That was something to see.
Looking like a first-inning meltdown for the Trashtros.