In an unprecedented turn of events, the Houston Astros find themselves in an unfamiliar position. They no longer have home-field advantage in the AL Division Series and must face a motivated and hungry crowd at Target Field.
However, after a resounding 9-1 victory in Game 3, the Astros have regained their composure and silenced the crowd. They are now on the brink of making their seventh consecutive appearance in the AL Championship Series. As Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez stated, their focus remains the same – to finish the series in Minnesota and avoid a Game 5 back at home.
Nevertheless, the Twins still have an opportunity to turn the tide in front of their home crowd. They will be relying on their 2022 Opening Day starter, Joe Ryan, to deliver a strong performance against a slightly less effective Houston right-hander, José Urquidy. This is the Twins’ first experience with elimination this postseason, but they are optimistic about their chances.
As Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers mentioned, the advantage of a five-game series is that they have room to lose two games. They are determined to make the most of their home game and hope to bring the series back to Houston for Game 5.
The Twins have already defied expectations this postseason by breaking their 18-game losing streak and winning their first playoff series in 21 years. The pressure is nothing new to them.
When and where can I watch the game?
The game will be broadcast live on FS1 in the U.S.
All series games are available on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider in the U.S. International viewers can watch the games live (excluding Canada), and full game archives will be available approximately 90 minutes after the game ends.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Astros: Jose Urquidy
Urquidy’s regular season was hampered by a right shoulder injury, but he showcased his abilities in his final appearance. With extensive postseason experience under his belt, including three World Series wins, Urquidy is a key player for the Astros.
Twins: Joe Ryan
Ryan has had his ups and downs this season, but his performance on Wednesday will be crucial for the Twins. They will be looking for him to tap into the form he displayed earlier in the year and bring stability to the mound.
What are the starting lineups?
Astros: Mauricio Dubón started in center field in Game 3, but Chas McCormick returned to center in Game 4. Michael Brantley moved to left, and Yordan Alvarez took on the designated hitter role.
Twins: The Twins have a consistent lineup against right-handed pitchers, but they are aware of Urquidy’s reverse-splits performance. This has influenced their approach to platoon spots, and they have made some changes to their lineup accordingly.
How will the bullpens be utilized?
Astros: Despite their Game 3 blowout, the Astros utilized some of their bullpen pitchers. However, they have plenty of fresh arms ready for Game 4, including closer Ryan Pressly and setup man Hector Neris.
Twins: With their backs against the wall, the Twins will not hesitate to use their bullpen as necessary. They have several pitchers ready to step in and provide support in earlier innings if needed.
Astros: Relief pitcher Kendall Graveman is currently dealing with a right shoulder injury and will not be available for the ALDS.
Who’s performing well and who’s struggling?
Astros: Yordan Alvarez has been outstanding in the ALDS, with four home runs and six RBIs in the first three games. José Abreu has also been impressive, continuing his strong September performance into the playoffs. Some other players have shown consistency at the plate, but there is room for improvement for others.
Twins: Carlos Correa has been the standout player for the Twins, leading the team in hits during the postseason. However, some of their left-handed hitters have struggled to find their form, particularly against the Blue Jays and Astros.
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