Astros take ALCS Game 3 over Rangers, increase insane postseason win-rate when this player has an RBI
The defending champion Houston Astros are alive.
After dropping the first two games of the American League Championship to the Texas Rangers at home, the Astros climbed to within a win of equaling the series, taking Game 3 on Wednesday, 8-5.
Once leading 5-0, the Astros lead had been cut to three in the seventh inning before designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hit a clutch bases-loaded single with two outs, knocking in two runs while giving the Astros a cushion they would ultimately need. Furthermore, the Astros increased their insane win rate when Alvarez has at least one RBI, moving to 18-2.
Per OptaStats, only one other player, Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig (18-2), has a .900-plus winning percentage in the playoffs when driving in a run.
Alvarez would've had at least one more run batted in if not for a home-run-robbing catch at the wall by Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras. The miraculous play may have angered Alvarez, who would record his game-changing hit an inning later.
The Astros DH wasn't the only Houston player to produce in the lineup in Game 3, as CF Mauricio Dubon went 3-for-4 with an RBI, catcher Martin Maldonado was 2-for-3 with two RBI and shortstop Jose Altuve finished 2-for-5 with a home run.
Altuve has gone deep 10 times in the LCS, tied for second all-time behind Manny Ramirez. Meanwhile, Altuve joined Ramirez as the only other player to hit 25 career postseason bombs.
In total, the Astros plated eight runs off 12 hits and chased Rangers starter Max Scherzer after only four innings. Scherzer, who hadn't started since September 12, allowed five earned runs off five hits, striking out four. On the other side, Cristian Javier was spectacular on the mound for Houston, allowing two earned runs off three hits with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.
The Astros also continued their dominance at Globe Life Field, posting their sixth win in their last seven tries at the Rangers home field. Overall, Houston has won 17 of their last 20 games away from Minute Maid Park.
On Thursday, the Astros will look to even the series at two games apiece when the Rangers play host for Game 4 at 8:03 p.m. ET.
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