HOUSTON ASTROS (2-2) AT TEXAS RANGERS (2-2)
ALCS, GAME 5: RHP JUSTIN VERLANDER (1-1, 1.42) VS. LHP JORDAN MONTGOMERY (2-0, 2.08)
Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 • Globe Life Field • Arlington, TX • 4:07 p.m. CT • FS1 • SportsTalk 790 AM • TUDN 93.3 FM
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros tied the American League Championship Series at 2-2 with a big-time 10-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. José Abreu and Chas McCornick reached homered for the Astros, with Abreu and Yordan Alvarez each knocking in three runs. José Altuve set the table for Houston with three hits, a walk, and three runs scored. The Astros bullpen combined to pitch 7 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, including three scoreless from Hunter Brown.
Justin Verlander and Jordan Montgomery are going up against each other again after the lefty outpitched (6.2 IP, 0 R) the Cy Young winner (6.2 IP, 2 ER) in the Rangers’ Game 1 win.
Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) at Arizona Diamondbacks (1-2)
LHP Cristopher Sánchez (0-0, —) vs. LHP Joe Mantiply (2-0, 9.00)
8:07 p.m. ET /5:07 p.m. PT| Chase Field | Phoenix, Ariz. | TBS, ESPN Radio
The D-Backs took their first game of the series on Thursday night when a Ketel Marte walk-off hit gave them a 2-1 win in the ninth inning. Marte had three hits in the game and has a 1.046 OPS during the playoffs. Starters Brandon Pfaadt for Arizona and Ranger Suárez for the Phillies each pitched scoreless ball.
The 26-year-old Sánchez is making his first postseason appearance and has only pitched one inning since his start on September 24 against the Mets. Sánchez had a 3.44 ERA this season in 19 appearances, with 18 of them coming as starts. He did not face the D-Backs this year.
Veteran reliever Joe Mantiply will be the opener for the D-Backs on Friday. He allowed three runs and only got one out in Game 2 of the series. The 32-year-old did have three scoreless relief appearances in the 2023 playoffs coming into the NLCS.
