A capsule look at the Astros-Athletics playoff series

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October 4, 2020

A capsule look at the Astros-Athletics playoff series

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Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa, left, and Houston Astros’ George Springer, leap in celebration after they defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-1 in Game 2 to clinch the American League wild-card baseball series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Minneapolis.

Oakland Athletics’ Sean Murphy (12) and Tommy La Stella, second from lower right, are congratulated by teammates after both scored against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning of Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Oakland, Calif.

Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly, right, and catcher Martin Maldonado celebrate after the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1 in Game 2 to clinch the American League wild-card baseball series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Pressly earned the save.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks, right, celebrates with catcher Sean Murphy after striking out Chicago White Sox’s Nomar Mazara for the final out in Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. The A’s won 6-4.

Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa celebrates his go-ahead solo home run off Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Cody Stashak in the seventh inning in Game 2 to clinch the American League wild-card baseball series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Astros won 3-1 to win the three-game series.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks celebrates after striking out Chicago White Sox’s Nomar Mazara for the final out in Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. The A’s won 6-4.

Oakland Athletics’ Chad Pinder (18) hits a two-run single in front of Chicago White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal during the fifth inning of Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Oakland, Calif.

Oakland Athletics President Dave Kaval waves a flag during the fourth inning of Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series between the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Oakland, Calif.

Oakland Athletics second baseman Tommy La Stella, bottom right, catches a flyout hit by Chicago White Sox’s Adam Engel in front of center fielder Ramon Laureano, left, and right fielder Mark Canha (20) during the fifth inning of Game 3 of an American League wild-card baseball series Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Oakland, Calif.

A capsule look at the best-of-five playoff series between the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics in Los Angeles beginning Monday:

Season Series: Athletics won 7-3.

Playoff Entry: second place, AL West.

Manager: Dusty Baker (first season).

Projected Rotation: RHP Zack Greinke (3-3, 4.03 ERA, 67 Ks), RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (3-3, 3.93, 56 Ks), RHP Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.73, 17 Ks), LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.57, 76 Ks), RHP Cristian Javier (5-2, 3.48, 54 Ks.).

Top Hitters: DH Michael Brantley (.300, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs, 15 doubles), CF George Springer (.265, 14, 32), LF Kyle Tucker (.268, 9, 42).

Top Relievers: RHP Ryan Pressly (1-3, 3.43 ERA, 12 saves), LHP Brooks Raley (0-1, 3.94, 1 save).

Series Summary: Last year’s American League champions limped into the playoffs as the only AL team to make it with a losing record after dropping three straight and four of their last five. But then they swept two games at AL Central champion Minnesota in the first round, outscoring the Twins 7-2 and handing them their record 18th straight postseason defeat. Valdez, Urquidy and Javier all delivered on the mound. Brantley and Carlos Correa came through at the plate, including a clutch home run by Correa. Springer and Jose Altuve went a combined 1 for 16 with two RBIs. … Houston has reached the ALDS for the fourth straight year. … With ace Justin Verlander out following Tommy John surgery, more pressure seemingly falls on Greinke, who turns 37 this month. But he stumbled to a 6.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in his final five starts of the regular season as part of a second-half slide. And he was on a short hook against the Twins, taking a no-decision in Game 1 when he allowed one run, two hits and three walks on 79 pitches in four innings. Valdez followed with five shutout innings of two-hit ball. … Houston’s lineup isn’t nearly as potent as the one that reached the World Series last season, with designated hitter Yordan Alvarez out for the season and stars Altuve and Alex Bregman having lackluster years. Houston’s outfielders, Brantley, Springer and Tucker, paced the offense during the season and will need to keep it going. … Houston was 9-23 on the road, the third-worst record in the majors. … This is the fifth different team Baker has taken to the postseason.

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