Glasnow looks to carry Rays past Astros, into World Series

[October 14, 2020]  Tyler Glasnow openly questioned whether he tipped his pitches during a rocky start that led to the Tampa Bay Rays' unceremonious end in their 2019 American League Division Series loss to the Houston Astros.

Glasnow will have a chance to answer any lingering doubts on Wednesday when the right-hander bids to send the Rays to their second World Series appearance in franchise history with a win over the Astros in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series in San Diego.

The Rays lead the best-of-seven series 3-0. Of the 38 previous teams that built a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven baseball postseason set, only the 2004 New York Yankees failed to advance, losing the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox.

In the decisive Game 5 of the 2019 ALDS, Glasnow allowed four runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings, and the Astros prevailed 6-1.

"It's a new season," Glasnow said. "I haven't thought about last year at all. I just approach it like every other start. I really haven't thought about it too much."

The top-seeded Rays are making short work of the sixth-seeded Astros, pushing their adversaries to the brink of elimination following a 5-2 decision in Game 3 on Tuesday.

"I think we have a good chance," Tampa Bay outfielder Hunter Renfroe said. "We have (Glasnow) up there. I think he's pumped for it. I think we'll have a good show."

Glasnow, 27, has provided good theatre by striking out 20 batters in 13 1/3 innings this postseason for the Rays, who have won each of his last 11 starts including the playoffs.

Glasnow also won his lone career regular-season encounter against Houston after permitting one run on six hits in five innings in 2019. George Springer is 2-for-3 in a small sample size versus Glasnow, but Michael Brantley (0-for-8, two strikeouts) hasn't been as fortunate.

Taking misfortune to another level is second baseman Jose Altuve, who is having a series he'd like to forget. After committing a pair of errors in the Astros' 4-2 setback in Game 2 on Monday, the former AL Most Valuable Player committed a throwing error in the sixth inning Tuesday that opened the floodgates for a five-run rally.

"We're giving him all the support that we can," Houston manager Dusty Baker said of Altuve. "Nobody feels worse than Jose, because he takes it very seriously and takes it to heart."

Altuve and Brantley belted solo homers on Tuesday for the Astros.

"It's a steep mountain to climb, but it's not impossible," Baker said. "We just have to tighten our belts, put our big boy pants on and come out fighting tomorrow."

Houston right-hander Zack Greinke will get the nod on Wednesday. The former AL Cy Young Award winner surrendered a pair of home runs and four runs total in 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision against the Oakland A's on Thursday.

Greinke owns a 4-6 record with a 3.36 ERA in 17 career appearances (14 starts) versus Tampa Bay. He hasn't faced the Rays this season, however, but he has had the luxury of scouting them during the first three games of the ALCS.

"So nice to be able to see the other team for a little bit to help get prepared for a game," Greinke said.

Manuel Margot, who belted a three-run homer in Game 2, is 7-for-16 with a pair of solo homers against Greinke.

Greinke will also need to find an answer for Randy Arozarena. The Rays outfielder recorded his fourth three-hit performance of this postseason on Tuesday, setting a major league rookie record.

It's not certain if Greinke will face Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, however. Kiermaier, who made a pair of defensive gems on Tuesday, exited with a bruised left hand after getting hit by the pitch in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative, and Kiermaier said after the game that he will try to tough it out.

--Field Level Media

[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.