The Dodgers made history on Wednesday when they scored 11 runs in the first inning capped by a Max Muncy grand slam. LA hit five home runs in their 15-3 win over the Atlanta Braves.
The second game of the night was much closer as the Astros stayed alive with a 4-3 win over the ways. Astros’ starter Zack Greinke tossed six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts. Houston’s offense was led by home runs by Jose Altuve and George Springer.
Rays’ outfielder Randy Arozarena stayed hot with his fifth home run of the postseason.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros, 5:07 p.m. ET, Game 5 (Rays Up 3-1) – TBS
RHP John Curtiss vs RHP Luis Garcia
Curtiss will function as the Opener for the Rays as he did three times during the regular season. The 27-year-old had a 1.80 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 25 innings for the Rays in 2020, his first in the Tampa organization. He pitched a scoreless inning in each of Game 1 and Game 3 of this ALCS.
Garcia is making his 2020 playoff debut with the Astros season the line. The 23-year-old made his big league debut on Sept. 4 this year in a start against the Angels. He had a 2.92 ERA and nine strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. MLB Pipeline has Garcia ranked as the Astros No. 13 prospect.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves, 8:08 p.m. ET, Game 4 (Braves Up 2-1) – FS1
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs RHP Bryse Wilson
Kershaw returns to the mound despite dealing with back spasms that saw him get scratched from the Game 2 start. The former Cy Young winner started the 2020 playoffs with an eight scoreless inning, 12 strikeout performance against the Brewers in the Wild Card round. In the NLDS vs the Padres, he allowed three runs in six innings.
Wilson – like Garcia – is making his 2020 playoff debut in a big spot. The 22-year-old had a 4.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings for the Braves during the regular season. The former fourth round pick was a consensus top 100 prospect headed into the 2020 season.
