Bregman, Astros sweep O's in Dream Bracket
This browser does not support the video element.
HOUSTON -- The Astros’ rich history of starting pitching carried them to a first-round sweep of the Orioles in the MLB Dream Bracket behind strong outings from Mike Scott, J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan and Roy Oswalt. The four combined for a 2.35 ERA, as the Astros outscored the Orioles, 24-9, in the four games to advance to the Round of 16, where they'll take on the Tigers.
Lance Berkman (8-for-16) led the way for the Astros by hitting .500 with five RBIs, with Alex Bregman (6-for-16), Moises Alou (4-for-7), Jeff Bagwell (5-for-17) and Carlos Correa (six RBIs) providing additional offensive punch. The Astros were so dominant that the Orioles led only once in the series, taking a 1-0 advantage in the second inning of Game 2.
The MLB Dream Bracket is a 32-team best-of-seven simulation featuring all-time teams for each of the 30 current Major League franchises, as well as teams consisting of Negro Leagues Stars and 25 & Under Stars. The 26-man rosters for each of the teams, compiled by the MLB.com beat reporters, consist of 15 hitters and 11 pitchers. For the simulation, players are rated using the average of their three best seasons on a single team. Rosters were constructed with balanced depth to specifically compete in a simulated regulation game.
Game 1: Astros 9, Orioles 3
Ryan allowed two runs, six hits and four walks and struck out six batters in 7 2/3 innings to lead the Astros to a rout of Baltimore. Keyed by a two-run double by Bagwell off Jim Palmer, the Astros scored four runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Houston added five more in the fifth behind a two-run single by Berkman and three-run double by Correa.
Game 2: Astros 2, Orioles 1
Oswalt threw a gem, holding the Orioles to one run and five hits in eight innings, and Billy Wagner struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth for the save. Houston broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth, when Bagwell hit a leadoff double off Zack Britton, stole third and scored on a Correa groundout. José Altuve clubbed a home run off Mike Mussina in the third inning to tie the game.
• Play FREE: DraftKings Dream Bracket pools
Game 3: Astros 8, Orioles 3
The Astros pounded out 13 hits -- including two apiece by Biggio, Bregman, Berkman, Alou and Brad Ausmus -- to back a strong start from Richard and beat the Orioles for the third game in a row. Ausmus hit a solo homer in the second, and Biggio went deep in the fifth with a two-run shot. Richard gave up three runs in seven innings, and Dallas Keuchel threw two scoreless innings.
Game 4: Astros 5, Orioles 2
Behind eight strong innings from Scott and homers from Correa and Alou, the Astros polished off a four-game sweep of the O’s to advance. Scott struck out seven batters and gave up two runs, and the Astros scored four times in the fourth to build a 5-0 lead, keyed by Correa’s two-run blast. Bregman went 3-for-4, and Wagner needed only nine pitches to throw a scoreless ninth.