Oct 16

ALCS Game Two, 2021

Red Sox at Astros, 1:20 PM PDT, TV: Fox

U-less RHP Nathan Eovaldi (13-9, 3.75 ERA) takes the hill for the BoSox; he’ll face the Astros’ RHP Luis Garcia (11-8, 3.48 ERA). Eovaldi went five innings in Boston’s ALDS Game Three against the Rays, giving up two runs on three hits. Garcia started Game Three in Houston’s ALDS Game Three against the White Sox and was horrible; he gave up five runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.

On this date in baseball history Bobby Richardson caught Willie McCovey’s line drive to end the 1962 World Series, the Miracle Mets won the 1969 World Series behind a Jerry Koosman five-hitter in Game Five, Jack Clark broke Tom Niedenfuer’s and Dodgers’ fans hearts in the 1985 NLCS, Aaron Boone did the same to Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox in the 11th inning of Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS, and Will Smith the Dodgers’ catcher homered off Will Smith the Braves’ reliever in 2020.

Lineups when available.

Red Sox:

Astros:

Oct 16

ALCS Game Three, 2018

Red Sox at Astros, 2:09 PM PDT, TV: TBS

RHP Nathan Eovaldi goes for the visiting Sox while LHP Dallas Keuchel goes for the Astros. Both were very good in Game Three of their respective ALDS series: Eovaldi went seven innings and gave up five hits and one run to the Yankees, while Keuchel went five innings and gave up two runs to the Indians.

On this date in Red Sox’ history:

  • 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.
  • 2003 In Game 7 of the ALCS, the Yankees capture their 39th American League pennant, beating the Red Sox, 6-5, thanks to Aaron Boone’s 11th inning home run at the Bronx ballpark. The defensive replacement becomes the fifth player to end a postseason series with a homer, joining Bill Mazeroski (’60 Pirates, WS Game 7 vs. Yankees), Chris Chambliss (’76 Yankees, ALCS Game 5 vs. Royals), Joe Carter (’93 Blue Jays, WS Game 6 vs. Phillies), and Todd Pratt (’99 Mets, NLDS Game 4 vs. Diamondbacks).

On this date in Astros’ history:

  • 2005 The Astros won Game Four of the NLCS on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the seventh inning by Morgan Ensberg. The Cardinals threatened in the ninth but the Astros’ Brad Lidge managed to induce a game-ending double play.

Lineups:

Red Sox:


Astros:


Oct 16

ALCS Game Three, 2017

Astros at Yankees, 5:00 PM PT, TV: FS1

Down two games to none in the series, the Yankees ask LHP C.C. Sabathia (14-5, 3.69 ERA) to be their stopper. The Astros counter with RHP Charlie Morton (14-7, 3.62 ERA). Sabathia started Game Five of the ALDS against Cleveland and struck out nine over 4 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and two runs. David Robertson and Aroldis Chapman finished that game with a win for the Yankees. In Game 4 of the ALDS against the Red Sox, Morton’s first start of this postseason, he allowed two runs and struck out six over 4 1/3 innings. He was pulled in favor of Justin Verlander, who picked up the win in that deciding game.

Today in baseball history:

  • 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 will become known as “Snodgrass’ Muff”, is followed by his spectacular catch of a long drive hit by Tris Speaker, but the 20 year-old outfielder will always be remembered as a goat in the Fall Classic.
  • 1962 With the tying and winning runs in scoring position at Candlestick Park, Willie McCovey’s hard line drive is snagged by second baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out of the World Series. The Yankees win Game 7, beating the Giants, 1-0, capturing the franchise’s 20th World Championship.

  • 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, a contest which will be best remembered for manager Gil Hodges winning the ‘shoe polish’ argument.
  • 2003 In Game 7 of the ALCS, the Yankees capture their 39th American League pennant, beating the Red Sox, 6-5, thanks to Aaron Boone’s 11th inning home run at the Bronx ballpark. The defensive replacement becomes the fifth player to end a postseason series with a homer, joining Bill Mazeroski (’60 Pirates, WS Game 7 vs. Yankees), Chris Chambliss (’76 Yankees, ALCS Game 5 vs. Royals), Joe Carter (’93 Blue Jays, WS Game 6 vs. Phillies), and Todd Pratt (’99 Mets, NLDS Game 4 vs. Diamondbacks).
Jan 13

Milestones

Changes at ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball: Curt Schilling moves to Monday Night Baseball, John Kruk goes back to Baseball Tonight, and Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone move into the chairs next to Dan Shulman for the Sunday game.

Monte Irvin has died at 96. He joined the NY Giants from the Negro League Newark Eagles in 1949 (the second black player on the team behind Hank Thompson) and played left field next to Willie Mays. In the 1951 World Series those three men formed the first all-black starting outfield in World Series history. Jay Jaffe has more.