ALDS Game 1, Astros vs. Red Sox: Highlights, recap and more

The Houston Astros handily defeated the Boston Red Sox, 8-2, in Game 1 of the 2017 ALDS in Houston.

The Houston Astros gave the Boston Red Sox a reality check on Thursday, obliterating them by a score of 8-2. The Astros offense welcomed Chris Sale to postseason baseball early on when Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman went back-to-back. Meanwhile, Justin Verlander dealt heat. Houston’s explosive offense wasted no time getting on the board with two solo shots, but the Red Sox answered quickly in the second inning when Leon singled to right, scoring Moreland.

Rafael Devers brought in the tying run, Mookie Betts, in the fourth. However, that was all she wrote for the Red Sox, as Boston didn’t cross the plate again. In fact, the Red Sox ended the day with eight hits and just two runs on the board. But, the Astros were just getting started. Furthermore, Houston’s late game heroics continued as it piled on insurance runs.

It was Marwin Gonzalez who gave the Astros a lead in the fourth, scoring Evan Gattis and Josh Reddick. That lead would never be lost. Houston rocked Red Sox ace Chris Sale for nine hits and seven runs through five innings. To put an exclamation mark on the game, Altuve smacked his third dinger of the game in the seventh, giving the Astros their 8th and final run of the game.

Much of the talk beforehand focused on how Boston’s pitching would fare against Houston’s bats and that question has now been answered; not well. Ultimately, the Astros took Boston for a ride and made a statement in their first win of the postseason. In fact, they look to have deflated Boston. By and large, Houston looks to be the favorite in this series, as if they weren’t clear winners before. All things considered, the series may even end in a sweep.

Three Stars

1. Jose Altuve: Altuve went 3-for-4 with 3 home runs and 3 RBI. In addition, he added to his case for MVP by putting his name out there on a national stage.
2. Evan Gattis: Gattis went 2-for-3 with two hits, two runs and a walk.
3. Justin Verlander: In any case, Verlander wasn’t at his best, but he quieted the Red Sox offense. Ultimately, he gave the Astros six innings and allowed just two runs.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/astros/status/916043582594846721

https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/916053881100001280

Next: 50 Best Teams Never To Win The World Series

Next Game

The Astros and the Red Sox will square off in Game 2 of the ALDS at 2:05 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park in Houston. FS1 has the broadcast as the Astros look to go ahead 2-0 in the series.