Event of the Day: MLB Game 4 of the ALCS
Our event of the day is Game 4 of the ACLS in the MLB playoffs. The Houston Astros host the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. The Red Sox, who hope to reach their first World Series since 2013, come into Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead. The Astros enter the game hoping to keep the series close before it travels back to Boston for Game 6. Given how this series has gone so far, expect an exciting game between two giants of the American League. This was the American League Conference Series fans were hoping for, as the two best teams in the American League made short work of their respective American League Division Series series, to face off for a place in the World Series. The Astros swept the Cleveland Indians in their ALDS, outscoring The Tribe 21-6 across the 3 games. Although the Indians were arguably the weakest team in the American League playoffs, the Astros’ win still confirmed something fans had been saying all season. If any modern team was going to dominate the playoffs year after year, it was going to be the Astros. Over on the east coast, Boston faced their oldest rivals, the New York Yankees, in a highly anticipated ALDS matchup. The Red Sox dropped game 2 to the Yankees before rallying to win the series 3-1, including a 16-1 rout of the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
The Astros opened the ALCS dominantly, scoring 7 runs against the Red Sox while Justin Verlander, Houston’s starter, allowed only 2 runs through 6 innings of work. The Astros dominated the Red Sox in the ninth inning, scoring 4 runs on 2 home runs against reliever Brandon Workman. The Red Sox bounced back in Game 2, scoring 7 runs, including a 3-RBI double from outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. While the Boston backs got hot, the bullpen recorded five scoreless frames between the fourth and eighth inning. The Astros, who had scored four runs early in the game, attempted to rally but could only score a single run in the 9thinning, despite a relatively shaky performance by Boston closer, Craig Kimbrel. The series moved to Houston for game 3 and the Red Sox were able to take a series lead in an exciting game in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park, with an 8 -2 victory.
Honourable mentions around the globe to the 3rd One-Day International between Sri Lanka and England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The first ODI was cancelled due to rain but England continued their ODI dominance, taking the 2nd ODI by 37 runs. However, the monsoon season continues to plague the ODI series. As the 2nd ODI was decided via the Duckworth-Lewis method of run calculation after rain interrupted play during Sri Lanka’s batting. All eyes will be on the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium to see if England can continue their ODI success, or if Sri Lanka can finally shrug off their struggles. Elsewhere, in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets open their season against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Spectrum Center. In the MLS, the Seattle Sounders look to secure a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs as they travel to the Orlando City Stadium to face struggling Orlando City. In the ATP World Tour, the European Open continues in Antwerp.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by MLB