ALCS Game 5: Astros and Rays reveal lineups for elimination game

The Houston Astros will look to stave off elimination on Thursday night in a must-win Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Come Thursday night, the Houston Astros know what’s at stake, as the defending AL champs enter Game 5 of the ALCS down 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays. After winning Game 4 in dramatic fashion, the team will look to make this a series once again with another victory.

And leading up to the game, manager Dusty Baker knows exactly what’s on the line. Win, and the World Series dreams are alive, while a loss will result in Houston packing up and going home. With so much on the line, Baker has dropped a loaded lineup for the elimination game.

The Rays hope to end things in a crucial Game 5 against the Astros

George Springer will be batting leadoff for Houston, doing so after he came up huge for his team in Game 4. On Wednesday, Springer smashed a clutch go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to put Houston up 4-2. On the night, Springer went 3-for-4, highlighted of course by his dinger.

Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa also added in an RBI each, while Jose Altuve went 2-for-4 in the victory. Those studs, along with the rest of Houston sluggers, will be looked at to get the job done in Game 5.

Meanwhile, for the Rays, they know how important Game 5 will be for them. Another loss to Houston would open up the door for the Astros to potentially do the unthinkable and come all the way back from a 3-0 deficit. It’s obviously the last thing Houston haters want to see.

John Curtiss will get the start for Tampa Bay, while Luis Garcia will trot out for the Astros. This one should be a thriller.