HOU-MIN Game 2 lineups, FAQ (ESPN2)
Well, here they are again. Minnesota is facing elimination from the playoffs, a familiar situation to not only the franchise -- which has been bounced early in its past seven postseason appearances -- but also to this particular group of Twins, which fell in a three-game sweep to the Yankees last season.
Houston is on the verge of advancing in the playoffs for the fourth straight year despite an underwhelming regular season and the disadvantage of playing on the road, thanks to some timely hits and Twins miscues on Tuesday.
Shop for postseason gear: The Twins need no reminder that their 4-1 loss in Game 1 extended their postseason losing streak to 17 games, the longest in the history of the four major North American professional sports. In order for them to finally bring that to an end, they’ll need Opening Day starter José Berríos to carry his hot September into the playoffs and for the dormant lineup to find some life against rookie right-hander Jose Urquidy.
In a way, though, it's a "something has to give" situation, as Houston's Dusty Baker has lost 10 straight clinching games as a manager. One of those ignominious streaks will end today.
What will the starting lineups look like?
Astros: The Astros stuckl with the same lineup they used in their Game 1 win on Tuesday.
1) George Springer, CF
2) Jose Altuve, 2B
3) Michael Brantley, DH
4) Alex Bregman, 3B
5) Kyle Tucker, LF
6) Yuli Gurriel, 1B
7) Carlos Correa, SS
8) Josh Reddick, RF
9) Martín Maldonado, C
Twins: Facing elimination, the Twins are pulling out all the stops. Outfielder Alex Kirilloff, the No. 2 prospect in the organization, will become the third player in history to make his MLB debut in a postseason game -- and the first to start that game -- when he bats sixth and plays right field on Wednesday against the Astros. Byron Buxton will sit, with Max Kepler moving to center field. The other members of the starting lineup remain unchanged but rearranged from Game 1.
1) Luis Arraez, 2B
2) Max Kepler, CF
3) Nelson Cruz, DH
4) Eddie Rosario, LF
5) Miguel Sanó, 1B
6) Alex Kirilloff, RF
7) Jorge Polanco, SS
8) Marwin Gonzalez, 3B
9) Ryan Jeffers, C
Who are the starting pitchers?
Astros: Rookie right-hander Jose Urquidy will make his first postseason starts for the Astros since he threw five scoreless innings in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series to beat the Nationals. Urquidy made only five starts this year, following a bout with COVID-19, and posted a 2.73 ERA. Urquidy made four appearances in last year's playoffs, allowing one earned run in 10 innings (0.90 ERA).
Twins: Berríos was supplanted by Game 1 starter Kenta Maeda in the Twins’ rotation pecking order during the regular season, but Berríos found his command after an inconsistent start to 2020 to post a 3.00 ERA with 29 strikeouts and eight walks in 27 innings across his final five starts of the season. His playoff track record is less stellar, as he allowed six runs (four earned) in seven innings during two outings against the Yankees in ‘17 and ‘19.
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How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Astros: After starter Framber Valdez threw five innings of scoreless relief in the Game 1 win, the Astros still have their entire bullpen rested and ready to pitch. It’s possible they could use either McCullers or Urquidy -- whomever doesn’t start -- in relief if they feel they are in position to close it out. Cristian Javier is also a starter who’s in the bullpen, and he could factor into the mix. Regardless, Houston has plenty of options, and it is in good shape when it comes to the ‘pen.
Twins: There’s no reason to believe the Twins will change their approach from when they had a 1-0 lead in the middle innings of Game 1. Some combination of Trevor May, Tyler Clippard, Cody Stashak and Matt Wisler would be available to bridge the gap to Tyler Duffey, Taylor Rogers and Sergio Romo in the late innings. Baldelli showed his hand a bit by warming up Jake Odorizzi in the ninth inning of a tie game before the Astros took the lead, showing that Odorizzi could also factor into close situations.
Are there any relievers who are unavailable?
Astros: The only pitchers unavailable are the two who pitched Tuesday in Game 1 -- starter Zack Greinke (four innings) and Valdez (five innings).
Twins: No. With the Twins facing elimination, it will be all hands on deck.
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Any injuries of note?
Astros: None.
Twins: Other than Josh Donaldson, who wasn’t included on the AL Wild Card Series roster due to his calf injury, the Twins’ injury situation won’t have changed significantly from Game 1.
Who is hot and who is not?
Astros: Springer -- the franchise leader in home runs (15), walks (29) and doubles (14) in the postseason -- had a key RBI single in the seventh inning of Game 1. Every starter had at least one hit Tuesday except Altuve (who drew a bases-loaded walk) and Bregman. Correa reached base three times in Game 1, with a single and two walks.
Twins: Kepler walked twice in Game 1, but other than that, Cruz’s RBI double was the only significant hit the Twins found in their series-opening loss. Buxton carried through his torrid September (1.022 OPS) with a first-inning single, but otherwise, he struck out three times. Arraez drew a walk in Game 1 after entering the series 6-for-8 in two games since his return from the injured list (left knee tendinitis, left ankle sprain).
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Anything else fans want to know?
Baker’s teams have lost 10 consecutive playoff games with a chance to close out a series. His last clinching win came when he led the 2003 Cubs to the National League Championship Series with a five-game NL Division Series series win over the Braves. The Astros have won six of their past seven road games in the playoffs, including all three on the road in the ‘19 World Series and two of three on the road at the Yankees in the ‘19 ALCS. Cruz became the first player in Twins/Senators history to record an extra-base hit in the playoffs at age 40 or older with his RBI double on Tuesday.
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