HOUSTON — Another gutsy effort from Nathan Eovaldi, and a couple of early home runs by their catcher combo set the stage for the Rangers, but it was Jose Leclerc and Adolis Garcia who punctuated the 9-2 victory in Game 6 as retribution was swiftly meted out to Houston to send the American League Championship Series to a Game 7.
Neither team has been victorious in a home game so far in this series as the win or go home finale from Minute Maid Park sets the stage for a trip to the World Series up for grabs with elusive bragging rights among these American League West combatants also on the line.
Where we stand
Catchers crushing – Since moving to a designated hitter role in August, Mitch Garver betrayed the narrative that he’s a better hitter when playing every day at catcher. Garver undoubtedly did just fine to fill in behind the plate while Jonah Heim was on the injured list after the All-Star break, but the former Minnesota Twin flourished when Heim came back and became one of the club’s most potent offensive threats.
In the month of September, primarily as the DH, Garver slashed .279/.392/.500 with six homers and 14 RBI. After some big moments in October, it was Garver that came through for the Rangers for their critical first run in Game 6, slugging a game-tying homer in the top of the 2nd to immediately answer Houston’s run in bottom of the 1st.
Then, in the top of the 4th, with two out, it was Garver who singled to extend the inning in a tied game. Following this, Heim took a 2-0 changeup beyond the fence the opposite way, just out of the reach of the right fielder Kyle Tucker to give Texas a 3-1 lead. Garver played a pivotal role again in the top of the 8th inning, roping an RBI double down the left field line to give Texas a 4-2 lead. It was the start of a critical juncture of the game where Texas began amassing insurance runs after Garver had carried the offense through most of the night.
Nasty Nate strikes again – Two years to the date after losing an elimination game as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Nathan Eovaldi was tasked again with saving his team’s season. Eovaldi answered the bell, throwing 6 ⅓ innings, allowing just two runs and five hits with four strikeouts to keep the Rangers in the game.
Eovaldi encountered traffic in all but one inning, as the Astros were very selective in what they took from the bulldog hurler. The Rangers’ ace navigated through danger and was able to extricate himself from some rough situations. After Jose Altuve singled with one out in the bottom of the 7th, Eovaldi gave way to Josh Sborz, having done all he could to give the Rangers a good fighting chance.
Sometimes the game isn’t saved in the 9th – Sborz needed five pitches to record two outs in the bottom of the 7th, prompting Bruce Bochy to bring the righty back out for the 8th. But Sborz was only able to record an out before allowing two to reach, prompting Bochy to ask Jose Leclerc to get what looked to be a five-out save.
With Leclerc in an inning earlier than desired, in his first outing after the Game 5 loss, and with the game very much on the line, Leclerc walked Tucker to load the bases, but then got Mauricio Dubon to line out to shortstop and got pinch hitter Jon Singleton to strike out swinging on a 3-2 pitch. Bochy’s call to Leclerc was rewarded in the next half-inning, as Texas would score five runs and Leclerc was allowed to rest up for Game 7.
They don’t boo nobodies – While Adolis Garcia was greeted with boos that would rival those rained down upon 1980s WWF Iron Sheik in every single at-bat of the night, being public enemy No. 1 in Houston left a big chip on Garcia’s shoulder.
Perhaps trying to overcompensate, Garcia ended up wearing the Golden Sombrero – striking out in each of his first four at-bats – much to the raucous cheers of the Minute Maid Park crowd.
But in the end, it would be Garcia with the final word, and even though the celebration was less flashy than his go-ahead shot in Game 5, the message was delivered, as Garcia drilled a grand slam in the top of the 9th inning, cementing a Rangers’ win and sending the boo birds scrambling for the exits.
Game 7 match-up
Houston Astros (3-3) @ Texas Rangers (3-3), 7:03 pm CT – Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas – Broadcast on FOX
Starting Pitchers – RHP Max Scherzer (0-1, 11.25 ERA) vs RHP Cristian Javier (2-0, 1.69 ERA)
In many ways, it always seemed destined to come to this. This rivalry, which really only began a few short years ago, which had become more and more heated this season ahead of it reaching a boiling point in Game 5, would come down to a decisive Game 7. These teams couldn’t decide the AL West on the field, as each team finished the season 90-72 in the regular season. Now they will decide the American League pennant in a final winner takes all contest.
Scherzer made his 2023 postseason debut in Game 3 against the Astros back home at Globe Life Field. There was no rehab start. There was no time to ease back into things. The Rangers needed Mad Max and Mad Max took the hill. But the results weren’t there and the rust was prevalent.
With his signature pitch, a wipeout swing-and-miss slider, proving ineffective, Scherzer lasted just four innings, giving up five runs on five hits while throwing 63 pitches. While Texas would eventually score five, they were never able to tie the game or take the lead, and Scherzer was saddled with the loss.
If he can come out of the gate more effective, Scherzer should have a few more pitches in the tank for Game 7, but the Rangers will need him to have control of his slider in this one to have any chance against the powerful Astros’ lineup.
Cristian Javier, meanwhile, buzzed through the Rangers in Arlington. In his second postseason start, Javier went 5 ⅔ innings and only allowed two runs on three hits in Houston’s first win of the series. While Texas was able to start to get to him toward the end of his outing, it wasn’t enough to help the Rangers dig out of the 5-0 hole that Scherzer had dug for them.
Javier’s rising fastball was the key to his victory over Texas, and it’s going to be up to the Rangers to make the adjustment against the so-called “invisi-ball,” especially if Javier has it going from the word “Go.”
The real story, though, is going to be how each team’s bullpen holds up. The Astros went through five relievers in Game 6. Rafael Montero didn’t retire anyone, throwing 20 pitches and giving up two runs. Ryne Stanek, who relieved Montero and gave up the grand slam, threw 15 pitches. Bryan Abreu, Houston’s lockdown set-up man, could very well end up suspended for this contest after allowing a run in an inning of work in Game 6.
For the Rangers, they only used three relievers on Monday night – Sborz, Leclerc and Andrew Heaney. Sborz and Leclerc both threw 16 high-leverage pitches so their effectiveness in Game 7 is questionable despite the fact that both will be ready if called. Heaney was thankfully used in mop-up duty, sparing Leclerc from having to pitch the 9th, and he also needed just four pitches to retire the Astros in order in the 9th. Game 7 will be all hands on deck for both teams.
Avoid or Continue
Avoid: Chasing – The Rangers didn’t employ their usual tactic of aggressive discipline against Framber Valdez on Monday. In fact, it appeared that the roles, as far as that part of the game, were reversed.
The Rangers chased almost 50% of the pitches outside the zone, while the Astros only went for about 11%. Certainly the atmosphere and urgency of the elimination game played a part, but the Rangers are going to need to refocus and revisit their plate approach, especially against a guy with a lot of success in October in Javier.
Continue: Keeping a level head – A huge double play was turned in the 7th inning of Game 6. Altuve singled after Eovaldi struck out Martin Maldonado to start the inning, driving Texas’ ace from the game. Just as everyone was dreading the fact that Texas was forced to dip into their bullpen, reliever Sborz induced a Michael Brantley ground ball to Marcus Semien, who made the turn to Corey Seager who then threw a little wide to Nathaniel Lowe; Lowe, who is up for a Gold Glove this season after tremendously improving his defense, stretched to corral the quick throw to complete the critical double play.
In a big moment that could have turned the tide of the game, the Rangers were able to keep their cool and take care of the ball. The moments only get bigger in a Game 7, and the Rangers’ defense has been a key strength up to this point.
Avoid: Yordan’s onslaught – Since going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Game 1, Yordan Alvarez has been a .500 hitter through the other five games of this series. He’s delivered blow after blow with run-producing hits nearly every time he’s hit the ball.
That continued into Game 6 with a 2-for-3 game with an RBI and a walk. There are numerous Astros that the Rangers can’t let beat them – but Yordan Alvarez is No. 1 on that list. Finding ways to limit his ability to do damage should be a top priority. Good luck.
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