VEB Open Thread - Thursday, 10/15/20

Good morning, everyone. On Wednesday, the Dodgers’ bats erupted, and the Astros forced a Game 5.

Dodgers 15, Braves 3; Series 2-1 ATL - The Dodgers scored 11 runs in the top of the first inning on Wednesday, the largest half-inning of offense in Postseason history. Teams have scored 10 runs in an inning four times, including the Cardinals against these Braves last year. In the first, Los Angeles scored on seven hits (including three home runs) and three walks; 10 of the 11 runs scored with two outs. Joc Pederson hit a three-run shot, followed a solo homer from Edwin Rios. In his second at-bat of the inning, after making the second out, Max Muncy smashed a grand slam. Braves starter Kyle Wright was pulled after facing nine batters and was charged with seven earned runs in ²⁄₃ of inning. Dodgers starter Julio Urias, pitching in place of Clayton Kershaw, gave the Dodgers five innings of one-run ball, with the only blemish being a Cristian Pache home run.

Astros 4, Rays 3; Series 3-1 TB - The Rays had the tying run on third in the ninth inning, but the Astros held on for a 4-3 win to keep the ALCS alive. Starters Zack Greinke and Tyler Glasnow both logged six innings in their outings — the first time this has happened in the American League this Postseason. Jose Altuve homered again and has went deep in three of the four games thus far. Randy Arozarena hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning that tied the game at the time; it was George Springer’s two-run bomb in the fifth that proved to be the game-winner.

The Rays and Astros will start around 4:07 PM Central time on Thursday, and the Dodgers and Braves are set for 7:07 PM start. Clayton Kershaw is expected to start for the Dodgers after he was scratched from Game 2 with back spasms.

Enjoy your Thursday!